A patient isolation unit (PIU) for use in marine rescues. The PIU of this invention is useful to safely transport personnel exposed to, or potentially exposed to, an identified and/or known infectious agent or chemical warfare agent (CWA) on marine vessels and/or aircraft such as Coast Guard boasts, cutters and aircraft. The PIU has a generally tapered tubular shape compatible with wire rescue baskets conforming in shape to the human body and into which an injured, sick, or disabled person can be safely strapped, such as the Stokes litter rescue basket for hoisting and fit in rotary wing aircraft.
