Reach and Rescue Equipment was chosen and used by the winning team ‘Norfolk Fire and Rescue‘ at this year’s UKRO 2013 hosted by Merseyside. It was also used by the runners up Cumbria Fire and Rescue. Well done to all for participating and making the UKRO a memorable day
Simon Burch, part of the winning team from Norfolk Fire and Rescue had this to say:
“After taking part in the water rescue challenge at UKRO Merseyside 2013 and coming first we were presented with a reach and rescue pole system by Jo Taylor from Reach and Rescue.
The challenge was over two days and involved us carrying out water rescue techniques and boat handling skills. Skills included manoeuvring the boat in confined spaces and paddling. We also employed water rescue techniques where we had to swim after casualties, throw lines and reach rescues.
On both days we used the reach and rescue pole to rescue the casualties. The decision to use the pole was down to a system of hierarchy we use in water rescue – shout, reach, throw, row, go and tow then helicopter.
The reach and rescue pole is quick and easy to deploy and very easy for the casualty to hold on to especially when using the flotation collar. We also found it was quick to retrieve the casualty.
Norfolk USAR Water Rescue Team would like to say a big thank you to Reach and Rescue for the reach pole added to their inventory of rescue aids”
