What method should be used if the bucket truck is not equipped with a rescue pouch?

Using a handline to lower the victim is the appropriate method when a bucket truck is not equipped with a rescue pouch. This approach involves securely securing a rope or line to the victim and then carefully lowering them to the ground or a safe level. This option is crucial because it provides a means to assist someone in distress safely without putting both the rescuer and the victim at risk.

Lowering the victim using a handline is considered a controlled method of descent, allowing for gentle guidance rather than a sudden drop, thus minimizing the chance of injury to the victim. The use of a rescue pouch would typically provide a more straightforward rescue process, but in its absence, the handline method serves as an efficient alternative to ensure safety.

The other methods may either introduce additional risks or are not suitable without the proper equipment. Ensuring a secure method of descent is paramount in emergency situations to protect the individual in need and any rescuers involved in the process.