The present invention relates to a lifting sling that is adapted to monitor cargo. The lifting sling can include core materials, and a control system. The control system can effectuate the ability to monitor certain lifting sling operational parameters. The control system can be an electronic system and or an indicator. The electronic system can effectuate data acquisition, data processing, and or data communication of a plurality of operational parameters related to the lifting sling and or cargo. By monitoring certain operational parameters, methods of determining the operational condition, suitably for use of the lifting sling, and or monitoring of the cargo, can be effectuated. Once the lifting sling is secured in combination with the cargo certain operational parameters vary in response to the lifting sling being in contact/proximity with the cargo (i.e. tension). Variations in operational parameters can be utilized to make certain determinations related to the cargo.