At R3 SAR GEAR we have experience of kitting out entire organisations to be able to conduct swiftwater rescue operations. In this article we're going to take a look at outfitting the individual rescuer to be able to operate in this environment.
Starting from the ground up, we recommend the Bestard range of water rescue boots for their proven record of durability and comfort. We offer both the Wildwater pro and the Canyon Guide SAR Pro, both of which have a sturdy Vibram sole and offer excellent ankle support. We find that most of our customers prefer the SAR Pro variant as it has an integral gravel gaiter, which helps to keep debris out of the boot.
The body cools down much faster in water than in air and the wind chill effect can be quite dramatic after having been immersed. For this reason, thermal underlayers are essential in cold weather both for thermal protection and the individual's comfort, allowing them to remain operational for far longer. Experience has shown that thick fibre-pile undersuits worn over wicking baselayers offer a high level of warmth, even if they become damp. We offer thermal undersuits made locally by Aquatek, which are sized appropriately to the corresponding drysuits.
Floodwater can often be contaminated with chemicals, fuel or waste products. For this reason, a drysuit is preferrable to a wetsuit, as it offers protection to the wearer's skin, as well as being easy to decontaminate. Latex seals create a watertight fit, keeping the thermal underlayers dry and allowing them to trap the heat in.
There are two different material options available, both of durable trilaminate construction. The
X350 Drysuit has become the industry standard in the rescue world as a highly durable, well featured suit. Made of heavyweight Butyl Nylon, they have an impressive lifespan, with many of the suits in our training department being close to 20 years old. For those that like the increased manoeuvrability of a slightly lighter weight fabric, we also have the
S200R Drysuit, which weighs less, but remains durable thanks to its ripstop fabric construction. Both styles have prominent reflective patches for night operations as well as double fabric panels in high wear areas.
As standard, our rescue drysuits come with a metal front zip, allowing the wearer to self don, as well as regulate their temperature during rest periods. A rear zip version is available on request, as well as crotch relief zip. Other optional extras include neoprene overseals to the neck, wrists and ankles to give extra UV and abrasion protection to the latex seals, as well as options for organisational branding if required.
Neoprene gloves help to keep the hands warm in a water environment as well as providing protection from abrasion when handling ropes. We offer a selection of
gloves, with the
Palm Pro Water and the
NRS Reactor being our preference when handling ropes in a swiftwater environment.
We have several styles of
rescue buoyancy aids available to suit different needs and preferences, all rated to both ISO12402-5 and
ISO12402-6 with the inclusion of a rescue harness and removable leg straps. The Palm Rescue Universal fits sizes XS to 4XL and comes fitted with the patented UCLAN chest harness, which allows it to safely fit a broad range of rescue operatives. The Palm Rescue 800 and Rescue 850 come in a number of sizes, allowing for a more personalised fit with pocket layouts to suit the needs of the organisation.
The Palm Rescue Extrem is a favourite amongst our instructor team thanks to its comfortable low-cut design and large storage capacity for personal equipment and radios.
We also supply the Palm Adult Universal, an ISO12402-5 buoyancy aid, a one size fits all solution that can be handed out to a person in need of rescue.
When it comes to helmets, the Sweet Protection range has proven popular with the instructor team for many years now with both the Wanderer and the Rocker being the helmets of choice for maximum coverage and comfort. More economical options for equipping a whole team include include the Spreu Bumper, WRS Mp1 and the Future Safety Manta. As some of these models are paddlesports helmets, colours may change yearly, to follow the fashions of the recreational market. Please get in touch to discuss which models are currently available in DEFRA compliant colours. All of these helmets can be fitted with a head torch, using the Petzl Rubber headband.
For further advice on outfitting your rescue team, or to discuss technical and team equipment, please contact us at sales@r3sargear.com to discuss your requirements.
