How many utility straps are required to fabricate a single line lowering bridle for a Stokes basket?

To fabricate a single line lowering bridle for a Stokes basket, four utility straps are necessary. The bridle is designed to properly secure the Stokes basket during a lowering operation, ensuring stability and safety. Each strap serves a critical role in balancing the load and distributing weight evenly across the basket.

Using four straps allows for adequate redundancy and ensures that if one strap experiences any issues, the others can still support the load. Additionally, this configuration provides a secure anchor point for the lowering system, reducing the risk of tipping or swinging during the descent. Having fewer straps would compromise the bridle's effectiveness and safety, as there would be insufficient support and stability for the basket.

In contrast, using two or three straps would not provide the necessary security and balance required for safe transportation and lowering of the Stokes basket. Five straps, while more than needed, could lead to unnecessary complexity and possible confusion in handling. Therefore, four utility straps are the optimal choice for creating a single line lowering bridle for a Stokes basket.