Reach and Rescue are the forerunners in water-rescue innovation – the unique and versatile long-reach telescopic rescue pole system – and a testament to the success of this lifesaving innovation is a range of awards garnered throughout 2018.
From innovation of the Year and Overall Product Winner at Venturefest Northwest, Highly Commended for Technical Innovation at Seatrade Maritime Awards in MENA and India, through to Exporter of the Year at the UK Business Awards, Reach and Rescue have been recognised for their uniqueness, success and life-saving innovation.
The company started eight years ago after firefighters in the UK realised that they were missing a vital component in their water-rescue procedure and needed an innovative solution. Reach and Rescue created the innovative, longest and most versatile long-reach telescopic rescue pole in the world, revolutionising the way water rescues are carried out and saving lives.
The Reach and Rescue Pole is UK designed and manufactured and is used by 80% of the Fire and Rescue and Emergency Services in the UK and sold in over 46 countries.
The pole itself can be extended to an unmatched length of 17 metres and can be deployed to the casualty with directional accuracy in just 20 seconds. The rigid, carbon-fibre construction of the pole allows the operator to deploy regardless of the weather or general conditions, making it ideal for use throughout the world.
Reach and Rescue have recently launched the world’s first public-access water-rescue system, a simple-to-use rescue device enabling the general public to perform a rescue while waiting for emergency services to arrive, speeding up the rescue and saving lives.
The Portsafe consists of the award-winning Reach and Rescue pole, is contained in a lockable box and stands at the water’s edge similar to the traditional lifebuoy. But unlike the lifebuoy, it is secure and tamper proof.
Jo Taylor, Director of Reach and Rescue, explains: ‘We work with many different rescue organisations and our poles are already widely used in lifeboats, marinas and ports across the world. Until now they have only been used by rescue workers but they are so easy to use and effective that they could be accessed by the public, just like a lifebuoy.’
‘However, by talking to fire and rescue workers we have found that there is a real problem with lifebuoys being stolen or vandalised. So we have created something much more secure.’
The lockable box will carry a number for members of the public to call to allow access to the Reach and Rescue pole. The same call is also be used to raise the alarm to the emergency services.
‘In a rescue situation every second is vital,’ said Jo. ‘The real beauty of the system’s rigid design is that you can direct and control the rescue rather than expecting someone who is in the water, cold, confused and terrified to swim towards a ring.’
For more information, email info@reachandrescue.com
