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A review of quick-release harness performance in water rescue

A review of quick-release harness performance in water rescue Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to consider the performance of quick-release harness buoyancy aids in water rescue. Design/methodology/approach– The assumption is questioned that the performance of water rescue harnesses, in what is perceived as benign, low-flow conditions (<1.85 km/s) is acceptable. Increasingly, rescue personnel are deployed to flooding events during which low-flow, but high-hazard conditions may prevail. A range of commercially available buoyancy aids manufactured in the UK were tested under “real world conditions” and the nature of the release rated. Findings– The primary data illustrate that 25 per cent of releases where incomplete in low-flow conditions. By analogy a karabiner in a rope rescue system with a 1:4 chance of failure would be unacceptable. Consequently, harness testing, design, manufacture, use and deployment may all be in need of reconsideration if the harness is to remain suitable for its current deployment. Originality/value– A group of international experts from the USA, Europe and the UK have reviewed the findings and highlight possible reasons for these failures. These comments form the basis for research in future papers. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png International Journal of Emergency Services Emerald Publishing

A review of quick-release harness performance in water rescue

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References (34)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © Emerald Group Publishing Limited
ISSN
2047-0894
DOI
10.1108/IJES-10-2012-0041
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to consider the performance of quick-release harness buoyancy aids in water rescue. Design/methodology/approach– The assumption is questioned that the performance of water rescue harnesses, in what is perceived as benign, low-flow conditions (<1.85 km/s) is acceptable. Increasingly, rescue personnel are deployed to flooding events during which low-flow, but high-hazard conditions may prevail. A range of commercially available buoyancy aids manufactured in the UK were tested under “real world conditions” and the nature of the release rated. Findings– The primary data illustrate that 25 per cent of releases where incomplete in low-flow conditions. By analogy a karabiner in a rope rescue system with a 1:4 chance of failure would be unacceptable. Consequently, harness testing, design, manufacture, use and deployment may all be in need of reconsideration if the harness is to remain suitable for its current deployment. Originality/value– A group of international experts from the USA, Europe and the UK have reviewed the findings and highlight possible reasons for these failures. These comments form the basis for research in future papers.

Journal

International Journal of Emergency Services – Emerald Publishing

Published: Oct 21, 2013

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