SUP Rescue Boards – the material for water rescue

Together with the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) we have developed inflatable SUP Rescue Boards, especially for use in water and ice rescue. Many small ingenious highlights make the stand up paddling boards a perfect tool for rescuing people on the water or in winter on the ice.

 

The SEAL 10.5 RESCUE

The SUP Rescue Boards GTS Seal II 10.5 is specially designed for surveillance and rescue in inland and coastal waters. A further development is the new lower deck of the inflatable SUP. Equipped with 2 flexible rails, it can be used when rescuing on the ice. With this inflatable rescue board, we offer herewith an absolutely high-quality and safe rescue board, with which even a board roll, in order to take up a person laterally, problem-free possible.

 

The Malibu 12.0 RESCUE

The SUP Rescue Boards GTS MALIBU 12.0 was specially developed for use in water rescue. A board roll to accommodate a person sideways is easily possible. In addition, it has a special tail for picking up and transporting a rescued person. The German Life Saving Society e.V. (DLRG) as well as the water rescue of the German Red Cross, use this SUP board in the rescue and monitoring of waters.

The Malibu 12.0 Stand Up Paddle Board has a total of 12 side handles to allow a person who may also be excited and panicked to hold on anywhere. The side handles are extra long and sturdy enough to pull a person out of the water onto a board or even transport them to shore.

With the term water rescue it means in the first place all aid measures with emergencies at and in the water. Of course also in case of bathing accidents, boating accidents, water sports where something happens and ice accidents. The rescue of persons but also animals takes place in standing as well as flowing waters, on the beach and of course also in winter with ice.

In Germany, the DLRG usually takes over the water rescue service (this is also called WDR for short). But there are also many local aid organisations, some of which support the other aid organisations. The boards of the respective water rescue organisation are used in this country on rivers and inland lakes as well as on the coast of the North Sea and Baltic Sea.

An absolute must for StandUp Paddling is that you can swim well and safely. Hoping to cling to the board in an emergency is not enough, especially in flowing water. The physical prerequisites must therefore be just as given as the understanding that this is a sport that can sometimes be dangerous.

We also recommend that every Stand Up Paddler takes a first aid course, or even better a lifeguard course. Remember, there are situations where it’s not just about your own safety, you may have to rush to the aid of another Stand Up Paddler or swimmer.

How can I prepare myself as a stand up paddler for a tour so that emergencies do not occur in the first place? If you are not only going for a paddle on a guarded lake or a session of SUP yoga on the weekend, but maybe even planning a great trip on running waters or the open sea, there should be important items on your To Do list.

The most important safety regulations at a glance:

• Please always and at all times use a lifejacket or alternative rescue equipment.
• The weight of persons and equipment must not exceed the maximum load capacity.
• Do not paddle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
• Be aware of weather and sea conditions; cold water and cold weather can cause hypothermia.
• Watch out for offshore winds and currents.
• Check the weather forecasts and find out about the sea and weather conditions before your trip.
• Don’t overestimate your paddling ability. Silently aware of your limitations.
• Watch for river levels, tide changes, currents and obstacles in and on the water.
• Check your equipment before each use for signs of wear, leaks or other defects.
• Use a leash to connect to your board if necessary.
• Always inform someone of your paddling route, the time and place of your departure, and your intended destination.
• Make sure you can leave the board if necessary.

A good and above all safe tour starts with the right material. If possible, use a high quality, durable and sturdy SUP. With our inflatable boards, therefore, make sure you have enough air pressure of 15psi / 1bar.

Choose the right board for your tour. A touring board, with enough volume and suitable length and width. If you are a beginner, it is not advisable to get involved with a narrow racer board straight away, as you may still lack stability and experience.

Note the maximum loading capacity of your board.

Now comes the most important part.

Plan your tour. A glance at the weather forecast can be essential for survival.

The weather can often change in minutes at the water, at the sea or in the mountains.

Sometimes it is better to cancel a tour than to be surprised by sudden thunderstorms out on the water.

Inform your family, friends and acquaintances where your tour goes, which waters you sail and where your stops are. Report at agreed times so that everyone knows you have arrived safely. Give as much detail as possible about when you paddle away, where you are going and when you are back, or where you are arriving.

Report back to this person even after the tour is completed.

The more precise the definition of the tour, the easier it is to let rescuers know where you are in case of an emergency.

It is important to be aware of weirs, eddies, stones and rocks, waterfalls and rollers as much as possible when touring rivers. How can I avoid such obstacles in the best possible way and what do I do if I get caught in them anyway?

Therefore, it is best never to plan your tour alone, but at least with a second person.

Other important utensils for the safe planning of your tour. A mobile phone should always be with you.

Waterproof drybags are great for this, you can find them in any good SUP / watersports store or online.

For longer trips, a whistle and a multitool with a cutting tool are absolutely essential. Just like

A rescue tube (safety buoy that activates in an emergency, similar to an airbag that you can hold onto) Sunscreen, spare clothing and some cash.

If your tour takes place on flowing water, it is recommended to wear a whitewater vest and a helmet, this protects you from stones and rocks in the water, should you fall off the board.

Remember, your clothing should always match the current weather and water temperatures. Not just the outside temperature. It can be a balmy 18 degrees outside, while a stream in the mountains might only be 5 degrees.

Especially in spring and autumn, when the outside temperature is pleasantly warm, the water can still be very cold. For these cases it is best to wear a wetsuit. You can also find these in any well-stocked water sports shop.

 

How do I behave in an EMERGENCY ?

In the event of an emergency situation, whether involving yourself or another paddler, the first things to remember are:

Get yourself noticed!

Absolutely shout loudly, scream for help, wave colored cloths, whatever you have with you

If it is not a personal emergency, note exactly where someone has gone under, for example, and tell the arriving rescue workers.

Give first aid as far as it is reasonable and does not endanger your own life.

If you are in strong flowing water (white water – river/ strong currents) it is sometimes better to detach yourself from the leash, because in the worst case the board can get stuck in branches or on stones in the water and you will be carried away by the current, but you cannot detach yourself from the board.

Stay Safe and have fun with Stand up Paddling wishes you

Your GTS SUP Team