NEWS AWARDS & THANKS
DESIGNED BY GAFIRS FOR GAFIRS. YOUR LOCAL LIFEBOAT CREW’S NEW PROTECTION AT SEA
coxswains were given the opportunity GAFIRS next big mission - to Whoever you ask within the to sample what was available. After DESIGNED BY GAFIRS FOR GAFIRS produce and fund the first GAFIRS primary or voluntary emergency much testing and discussion, one specification dry suit. services, whether they are THIS IS YOUR LOCAL LIFEBOAT CREWS NEW PROTECTION AT SEA The first stage was to investigate supplier was nominated. Ambulance Crew or Fire Fighter to Northern Divers stood out as the the wide variety of dry suits already in Mountain Rescue teams or supplier whose dry suits provided the use by the crew and highlight the Coastguard Rescue Officers, the endurance, comfort and correct fit issues with them. The feedback equipment they rely on to get the job which the crews had been looking for. showed the primary complaint was done whilst protecting themselves is GAFIRS produced a list of the majority of dry suits were built for their PPE, or Personal Protective specifications which the final product leisure use and not robust enough to Equipment. To a Lifeboat Crew the would have to conform to. deal with the demands of the job, one thing they trust to defend them A representative from Northern leading to tears at seals between the from the elements is their dry suit. Divers came to visit the crew at suit and latex socks, leaks in the zip For the past 40 years our crews Gosport Lifeboat Station. He went and degraded neck seals. have not only given their time but through the final proposed design After consultation with several their money to the service by funding which was officially approved. The suppliers, three came forward to their own dry suits. room went quiet when the measuring produce their brands of dry suits they With most of the team’s dry suits tape came out and each individual was believe would overcome the reaching the end of service, in late asked to be measured up, but this led limitations identified, these were 2011 one of our crew and newly taken to a lifeboat operations meeting to crews receiving the perfect fit for qualified coxswains, Pete Byford, their made to measure rescue dry suit. where more than 15 crew and 3 became the project leader for
SNAPSHOT An overview of the new GAFIRS Lifeboat Crew Drysuit plus equipment…
NEOPRENE NECK SEAL
BRANDED REFLECTIVE SIGNAGE
FRONT WAIST ENTRY ZIPPER
LATEX AND NEOPRENE COMBINED WRIST SEAL
GECKO HELMET A vital piece of equipment for all crew to protect themselves from injury as well as the elements at sea. Includes a visor and head torch to keep crews hand free when working. ICOM VHF HANDHELD RADIO Maintaining communications with the team is vital, especially when working away from the lifeboat on board a casualty vessel. CREWSAVER 275N LIFEJACKET Another essential piece of Personal Protective Equipment for any mariner or rescue worker near the water. Manual inflation to allow crews to work in the water.
BELLOWS POCKETS
REFLECTIVE PRINTED STRIPES
SUPER STRETCH 5mm GLOVES For better grip and to keep hands warm in bitter conditions at sea.
KEVLAR PRINTED KNEE PATCHES PRICE OF DRYSUIT FITTED BOOTS
TOTAL OUTFIT PRICE
www.gafirs.org.uk
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