Water Rescue Equipment

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WATER RESCUE EQUIPMENT

PREMIER LIFELINE HOSE INFLATION SYSTEM

The Premier Lifeline hose inflation system is designed to facilitate the safe inflation of standard layflat delivery hose to a pressure of 3 bar so that it may be deployed from firm ground as a flotation aid in ice and/or water rescue situations. It may also be used as an inflatable boom to assist containment of fluids.

The Premier Lifeline is used in conjunction with the control box, regulator and air supply used with the MFC Powermat high pressure air bags to which is added a dedicated air hose incorporating a combined pressure regulator and relief valve assembly. This assembly ensures that the hose is inflated to the correct pressure automatically and any overpressure is safely relieved. The main flotation medium is 70 mm diameter layflat hose; multiple lengths may be connected. Each end of the hose is closed by 900 mm lengths of hose fitted with British Standard Instantaneous couplings at the open end and an aluminium alloy plate with a hole, at the closed end to allow attachment of a line. A self-sealing female coupling with protective cap is fitted to the adjacent hose end for the air supply connection. When inflated the hose is sufficiently rigid to enable it to be pushed out over water or ice towards the rescue. Inflation and deflation is by use of the air bag control lever. Once inflated, good hose will remain serviceable for up to 24 hours.

CREWSAVER ‘CREWFIT’ AIR ONLY AUTOMATIC INFLATION LIFEJACKET 275N

The Crewsaver 275N Air-Only Lifejacket is a high performance device to be used in conjunction with full PPE when working on or near water.
The Air-Only lifejacket is designed to remain packed until full buoyancy is required. Buoyancy is provided by the automatic or manual activation of a CO2 cylinder that inflates an airtight chamber behind the red outer cover.

The lifejacket has a minimum 5-year lifespan.

The Crewsaver “Crewfit” 275N lifejacket comes complete with a deck safety harness of 50mm black nylon with contrast stitching. The waist belt is fitted with a stainless steel interlocking buckle and “D”ring, which is for work restraint procedures.
A yellow safety harness is also fitted to the lifejacket; this has a plastic quick release fastening to enable the wearer to detach from the floating line in an emergency. The safety harness has a dorsal stainless steel line attachment ring for use with the floating

FLOATING LINE

An 8 plait coreless braided orange polythene line complete with high visibility orange bag.

YAK THROW BAG / LINE

A 25meter yellow line with two red strands running throughout its length. It is made from 9mm Polypropylene.

There is a loop at each end of the line with a clear plastic sheath handle.

One loop is used to hold the line when throwing; the other is used to secure the line to the bag.

The line is contained in a red fabric bag, which is fastened with a black buckle.

DRY SUITS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT

Two types of dry suit have been purchased for use in the Brigade: -

A general-purpose (G.P.) dry suit with integral fire boots for station personnel for flooding use only.

A more flexible dry suit for use by Water Rescue Level 2 personnel and Technical Rescue Officers (TRO’s). This suit is fitted with latex socks in place of the integral boots.

The G.P dry suits are for flooding use only where a dynamic risk assessment has shown that fire kit is unsuitable for the task. Brigade procedures for water rescue and the use of other equipment must be strictly adhered to.

Both types of dry suit are classified as category one equipment and are individually numbered.

TRO’s and Water Rescue Level 2 stations will be issued with the Canyoneer five ten boots for use with the dry suit.

Firefighters trained to Water Rescue level 2 standard will also be issued with a Thinsulate undersuit for thermal protection. TRO’s will use their Thermoclyne suit for this purpose.

On initial issue the dry suits should be worn for 30minutes to ensure latex seals are not too tight.

General Purpose Dry Suit.

Two suits are issued to each station complete with one carrying bag, one zip lube and one container of un-perfumed talc. Sizes 1 x M/L and 1 x L/L.

These suits will be stored on station and only placed on the appliance when there is a likelihood of their use being required.

The dry suits should be worn with firefighters overtrousers, tee shirt / fleece, and a lifejacket.

The dry suit does not provide thermal protection but protects the wearer from contaminants such as sewage, water borne diseases, petrol, diesel and oil etc.

Trilaminate construction - made from a double textured nylon fabric with an interply of butyl rubber. The upper body is high visibility yellow and the lower part is black.

Rear entry BDM zipper.

Size 9 or 11 integral bonded safety boots with steel toecaps and midsole that conforms to EN345: 1992.

Latex neck and cuff seals.

Internal braces.

Retro tape around the cuffs and a stripe down the outside of each sleeve.

Dry Suit (Water Rescue Level 2)

An appropriate number of dry suits and Thinsulate socks are issued to each of the designated Water Rescue Level 2 stations complete with carrying bag, one zip lube and one container of un-perfumed talc.

These suits will be stowed on the appliance of the designated station.

Technical Rescues Officers are also issued with the above and 1pr of Thinsulate socks.

The carrying bag should be fully opened and used for standing on when donning the suit to prevent damage to the latex socks.

The suit is designed for use in moving water, sewers and flooding incidents and will protect the wearer from contaminants such as sewage, water borne diseases petrol, diesel and oil etc.

The dry suit does not provide the wearer with thermal protection.

Trilaminate construction - made from red double textured cordura /polyester with an interply of butyl rubber.

Front entry BDM zipper.

Latex socks, neck and cuff seals.

Internal braces.

Retro tape around the cuffs and a stripe down the outside of each sleeve.

Thinsulate and Thermoclyne Under Suits

These suits are worn in conjunction with dry suits for thermal protection.

Thinsulate undersuits are supplied as personal issue to station based personnel who are trained to Water Rescue Level 2 standard. The undersuit is made from100gm Thinsulate.

TRO’s should use their Thermoclyne suits for thermal protection.

Canyoneer Boots

Each TRO will be issued with one pair of the above boots.

These boots are designed for use in water and are fitted with a non-slip sole.

The designated Water Rescue Level 2 stations will be issued with a number of pairs in a variety of sizes commensurate with the Level 2 trained personnel on that station.

Synthetic leather with breathable mesh upper.

Self-bailing PU midsole.

Doubled 3mm Neoprene ankle collar.

Rubber sole.