Loading sequence for four litter casualties is which order?

• A. Upper right, lower right, upper left, lower left
• B. Upper left, lower left, upper right, lower right
• C. Lower right, upper right, lower left, upper left
• D. Upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left

Answer: (A)

When moving four litter casualties, the goal is to keep the load stable, accessible, and easy to secure as you bring patients onto the vehicle or platform. The sequence that places the casualty in the upper-right position first, then the casualty in the lower-right, followed by the casualty in the upper-left, and finally the casualty in the lower-left, achieves that best. Loading the two litters on the right side first helps keep weight toward the door and near the aircraft’s centerline as the rest are brought in, making handling and securing more straightforward for the team. Stacking the upper position before the lower on each side provides a stable, predictable build so restraints can be connected without needing to shift someone already loaded. This order also minimizes cross-traffic on the entry, allowing medics to work efficiently on all casualties during the loading process. Other sequences would disrupt balance or slow the operation by forcing movement around already-loaded litters or by shifting weight too early across the aircraft’s centerline.