Hovercraft - Mud Rescue

Hovercraft for mud rescue  

Too many fire and rescue service providers rely on rescue boats and ATVs to try reach victims who have become stuck into mud – hovercraft can reach victims much faster.
 
Why do people get stuck in mud?
 
Incoming tide changes the viscosity of the mud, so what was once a firm surface quickly changes into quagmire difficult to escape from. Incoming waters can travel faster than a man can run – 21 Chinese shell fishermen drowned in Morecambe Bay in the UK as a result of incoming tidal changes – no rescue service was equipped to save them. Have lessons been learned? No.
 
 

Mud Suction
 
To release the victim from the suction of the mud requires an air lance, to pump air below the feet of the victim, rather than using an air compressor, a CO 2 canister can be used.
 
Hypothermia
 
Many rescuers have to rely on dry suits and lifelines to try reach their victims – hypothermia affects mobility, so advice such as “hey catch this rope” might not work, if the victim is suffering from the intense cold, and trapped by the suction of the mud. Hypothermia victims need to be transferred as quickly as possible to hospital.
 
To save someone trapped in mud
 
Reach them quickly – rescue boats, Jet Skis are useless on mud, ATVs are useless in water.
 
Hovercraft travel over any flat surface, to quickly deliver rescue apparatus to the victim, e.g. mud lance and thermal blankets. Hovercraft are easy to operate, and do not place the rescuer at risk of danger. Hovercraft can quickly recover a victim, and can travel over any flat surface at speeds of up to 40 mph, to get him or her to hospital.

For further information and FREE Hovercraft Guide, please visit www.hovercraft.org 
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