598. You are evacuating crew members from a survival craft that has been adrift in the North Atlantic for several days. What could occur if a person suffering from hypothermia is vertically lifted in a rescue sling to the helicopter?

Rapid vertical lifting of a hypothermic individual can precipitate severe shock or cardiac arrest due to sudden circulatory changes and the return of cold, acidic blood to the heart, a phenomenon known as rescue collapse; this risk underscores the importance of gentle handling and minimizing vertical movement during rescue operations.