PFD’s / Life Jackets for Law Enforcement First Responders
Here are a couple of thoughts and options you could consider:
General PFD thoughts:
More floatation is not necessarily better. The way the flotation is situated on the jacket changes how you sit in the water and how much maneuverability you have for swimming and moving around.
Many PFD's that you put on over the head need to have the side straps loosened each time you take them off and must be re-tightend each time you put it back on.
PFD's with a front entry can be adjusted to the individual and then taken off and put on without major readjusting of side straps.
PFD’s with side entry are a combo of these two, open from the side, put your head through the shoulder straps and then buckle the side straps around your torso. Similar to a front entry PFD, these can be primarily adjusted to the individual just once.
Whitewater jackets:
These are simple jackets suitable for traveling by boat, swimming and rescue in flat, moving and swiftwater.
Pros:
Typically simple, fast and easy to put on.
They do not have extra belts and buckles to do up before use
They can have pockets if wanted or can be clean with no pockets
Those with universal fit work for most everyone 90lbs and up OR if sized, generally each size fits a wider range of officers
Less expensive
Cons:
There is no way to attach a rope to the rescuer for advanced skills, however these skills require more training and at least one other trained rescuer.
Compare Specs for all three of these here INSERT Screen Shot?
Side entry and do up buckles on the side
Pocket in front
Could probably rig up a way to carry duty weapon if traveling by boat (see astral green jacket notes below)
front entry, zipper and buckle
pockets
velcro/molle panel
Front entry, with 4 buckles
Has a head pillow
no pockets
one size fits all, 90lbs and up
This is what most of the outfitters use for adults
Rescue Jackets:
This is the type a rescue team will use.
Pros:
Releasable attachment point to allow for tethered rescue and swimming lines across channels
pockets for equipment storage
Cons:
Expensive
More of a person specific fit
More things to do up when putting it on.
Comparison of the these Rescue Jackets specs
Over the head to put it on and then tighten side straps and do up rescue belt buckle
Big pocket in the front
WYGF uses this type and is able to carry duty weapon behind front chest floatation like a chest rig
Put it on like a jacket, have to do up zipper, buckles, and rescue belt buckle.
Lots of floatation (keeps your head well out of the water when floating or swimming)
Molle connection points and velcro for patches on front
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Overall if rescue is not your primary focus but is part of your agencies fast initial response, and you are responding as a single person resource, we would recommend:
The Big Water Guide for its ability to add a radio holster, having a pocket to cary simple Medical BSI, and its ease to put on in stressful situation.
The Big Water V for its universal, one size fits all and it is simple and fast putting to put on under stress.
Black Fox Rescue would be happy to supply you with a quote on these and other rescue items. Feel free to contact us with further questions about rescue euipment, skills, or training.