Sling bars, lift systems, and methods of attaching a subject sling to a sling bar are disclosed. A sling bar includes a bar extending in a longitudinal direction, a protrusion extending from an upper part of the bar, a sling attachment portion extending to define a receiving aperture, a terminus of the sling attachment portion facing the protrusion, defining an opening into the receiving aperture, the protrusion defining an undercut portion of the receiving aperture, a retention latch pivotally coupled to the protrusion and defining an engagement face that selectively interfaces with a stop surface at the terminus in a closed position to cover the opening, the retention latch being constrained to pivot to an open position whereby the retention latch ceases to interface with the stop surface at the terminus, and a biasing mechanism coupled to the retention latch to force the retention latch toward the closed position.