Professional Rescue is a training services company very interested in research, always scanning for innovative water rescue equipment. So, when Ross Kemp of Asap Water Crafts Limited, inventor of the Asap Water Rescue Jet Board reached out to us, it got our attention. It is rare that a new UK-based water rescue invention surfaces, if you will pardon the pun! To quote their website: ‘a revolutionary electric water surface board and rescue asset for surface use and response’.
As a company we are always considering ways, where possible, to acquire improved kit or PPE. For example, we introduced our ‘Covid Communicable Disease Kit’ for boat operators, now included in the tactics taught within our Training products. After Ross’s first contact, Covid-19 arrived and so it has taken over a year to complete our thoughts.
Makers’ view of Asap Water Rescue Jet Board
The Asap Water Rescue Jet Board is characterised by the makers as: ‘Designed for professional rescuers and lifeguards, the Rescue Jet Board is a quick-launch electric powered board which will blast rescuers out to casualties in the water. Ideal for use in difficult-to-reach areas and quicker launching than a small boat or jet ski.’ Indeed, it is already gaining great traction in rescue services. For example, the Fire Department of Mülheim an der Ruhr has fitted an Asap Water Rescue Jet Board into their new water rescue vehicle. The Jet Board is stowed in the rear of this front-line water rescue appliance ready for 24/7 use.
Board information
The Jet Board comes with a rescue float (buoyancy for one person), one-handed rescuing throttle programming, a 2m tow line, rescue colours/branding and a 4A standard charger, which can be upgraded to a super-fast charger to shorten charging time. Custom colours/branding are available on request. All Jet Boards come with a 12-month warranty covering the technology: motor, battery and electronics. (See the Fact File for makers’ specifications.)
Analysis
When dealing with the implementation of a water surface rescue (sub surface rescue is considered to be too hazardous without a great deal of training and dive equipment), the ‘L.A.S.T’1 acronym helps responders focus on the steps involved in conducting a water rescue.
L – Locate. This is usually the first step. You have to find the victim before anything else. It all depends on the search area, available resources and conditions. Therefore, it is usually by human surveillance and intervention that rescues are conducted.
A – Access. This step is when much of water rescue training comes into play. For example, wading, stream crossing, boat/sled/board handling, rescue swimming and rope techniques – all tactics used for accessing a victim. Remembering the ‘way in’ may not be the ‘way out’. Keeping it Simple.
S – Stabilize. Stabilization primarily refers to a victim’s airway and thereby drown prevention. All aid now of course delivered under the agreed guidance protocols of the SAR organisations represented on the UK Search and Rescue Medical Group and based on Public Health England (PHE) Guidance for First Responders,2 and the PPE guidance for ambulance services with the support and guidance of the Resuscitation Council UK.
There are two types of rescues:
- Conditional rescue – Relies upon the victim doing something to assist in their rescue, e.g. a throw-line rescue. Whether the casualty is conscious and can assist (using a ‘lifebuoy’ or life safety device).
- True Rescue – Requires no assistance from the victim in their rescue, e.g. unconscious or injured victims. Unable to self-assist/assist and requires the rescuer to save them.
Responders choose the most appropriate rescue technique for the situation facing them.
T – Transport. Getting the person(s) back to shore or place of relative safety can be quick and easy or long and involved. For ultimate safety or medical attention, additional efficient transport is vital.
Rescuers assess the casualty’s capability, assess and appreciate the dynamic conditions, need to know what assets are appropriate and available, have established the circumstances and safety issues – this is all ‘risk assessed’.
Responders can now plan their actions and select an appropriate rescue tactic based on capability of personnel and casualty condition and assets available, clearly requiring training to conduct competently.
Against this background the Asap Water Rescue Jet Board is analysed for effectiveness and opportunity for operations.
So, what is this device? Technically this Jet Board is a power assisted non-autonomous human operated surface rescue board type, targeted at the water rescue market. With a maximum design speed of 16km/h (10mph and load dependent). Fast flowing flood/swift waters could sometimes have water speeds at or more than this craft’s maximum design speed and overcome its capability to stem the water flow. Therefore, it is preferably operated in slower water conditions – where some sleds, some boats and swim rescue boards belong. In use it has surprisingly strong torque to counteract strong flows. As with all on-water devices and their performance criteria, the location of use must be appropriately risk assessed. We need further research to define its capability of operating in higher wave conditions, and to set the operational envelope for operators, exactly the same as any surface rescue device. However, again, the ‘Asap’ performs surprisingly well.
It is a rescue board, but advantageously having a powerful alternative propulsion to the usually human-powered board, with its own particular payload limitations. From trials it can certainly carry or tow an adult person in addition to the operator (it even towed a RIB!). It can readily assist a single conscious casualty so the operator can conduct a ‘conditional rescue’. Techniques were then developed for ‘unconditional rescue’ situations. Again, all these techniques require operator training and a risk assessment of the environment of operations.
Given the current functional limitation before recharge of 50–60 minutes, the board needs making available at the waterside margin or from a vessel or taken onto scene by vehicle. Its top speed, a maximum speed of 16km/h (10mph), is five times that of a fit swimmer. (The Surf Lifeguard Proficiency test sets out that the Guard has to be capable of achieving a swim time of 400m in under 7 minutes 30 seconds – about 3.2km/h/2mph). The ‘Asap Water Rescue Jet Board’ therefore has an incredibly positive place in the water rescue environment.
Although other assets like inshore rescue craft can be available at some rescue stations these usually require more people in use. The great rescue advantage here is swift operator rescuer intervention, the Jet Board being easily carried and launched to rapidly assist the person in difficulties, and then safely returning from within the risk zone to shore.
We view that small surface craft operations in the high energy scenarios of floods are hazardous in the extreme. There is no such thing as ‘no risk’ in water rescue operations.
All water rescue assets, no matter the scenario, require a trained operator who can carry out dynamic risk assessments soundly based upon full ‘Hazard Awareness’ knowledge. And to use any assets within design limitations to ensure effective provision of the tactical water rescue capability within a flood environment or SAR environment. To provide these competencies we therefore designed two courses, an Operators’ together with an Operator Instructor, both focused on the practical skill sets needed by specialist water rescue personnel or lifeguards. However, delegates need to hold an appropriate Water and/or Flood Rescue Technician competency rating or qualification that includes water rescue scene management and dynamic assessment of risk, e.g. for UK this could be Defra Module 3 – Water & Flood Rescue Technician or suitable Surf Life Saving/Guarding Award. They also must be declared fit for full water rescue duties in accordance with their unit, agency, employer or authority requirements. Modules prepare personnel of a responder agency/unit or company to be able to firstly operate, and then instruct an operator for using the Asap Water Rescue Jet Board in a variety of conditions.
This training informs lifeguards or first responders of considerations prior to and during using the Asap Water Rescue Jet Board for rescue response to a water rescue or safety incident. The sessions include awareness of operating within a typical rescue incident, principles of safety, varying rescue options and including low- to high-risk options.
In short, the main aims are to train water rescue responders to identify the limitations, to use the Asap Water Rescue Jet Board safely and effectively, whilst operating in still and moving water. During the training delegates need to demonstrate an understanding of the underpinning knowledge and skills to use the boards within a rescue environment together with a level of competence in driving an Asap Water Rescue Jet Board that would give them the capability to function as water rescuers for other purposes, e.g. water search or reconnaissance or perhaps to provide safety cover for water events. Each module has eight ‘Minimum Delivery Hours’ with a high instructor-to-delegate ratio for safety and quality instructional contact time. Our training venue here in Poole harbour (UK), has outstanding appropriate hydrology features covering all the challenges that operators may face (we will travel subject to venue conditions). As with all our practical courses we launch a dedicated safety boat operated by competent rescue boat operators to provide both a safe system of work and to facilitate the learning outcomes.
Delegates undergo assessments against the learning outcomes using practical observation and feedback and undergo testing of the underpinning knowledge about the Jet Board. Their learner portfolio will detail performance against the learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Successful learners achieve accreditation to instruct on or operate this rescue Jet Board, together with receiving the award of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours (hours validated independently by an industry-standard awarding body).
In conclusion, with the risk-appropriate training, the Asap Water Rescue Jet Board can provide an effective new and environmentally friendly water and flood rescue tool.
For more information, go to www.asapwatercrafts.com, www.prorescuekitstore.com
References
- Professional Rescue Flood and Water Rescue Technician Manual, © 2021
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1031614/UKSAR_Resus_v4_28.10.21.pdf
About the Author
David Lane. MIFireE, AssocRINA, FRIN – Search And Rescue Academy Director, Fire, Water and Marine Safety Consultant and Film Producer, formerly a UK Senior Fire Officer. The Managing Director (CEO) at ‘Lane, Jefferies & Associates Ltd’ a small specialist fire, water and marine safety consultancy, works internationally in all fire, water and marine related matters including training resource provision.
