Hovercraft to the Rescue

Flood Rescue Hovercraft

 Hovercraft to the Rescue

Floods occur on a more frequent basis and with greater severity due to climate change.

Rescue hovercraft compared to boats

Traditionally, boats are used to save victims from drowning, but submerged items like wire fencing, street furniture, and debris (floating rubbish, plastic bags etc) can immobilize a propeller leaving the rescue boat without power. This forces rescuers to wade through sewerage contaminated water risking health.

Hovercraft have no propellers to get snagged, plus have the added advantage of being suitable in shallow water, or areas where fast running water can adversely affect a rescue boat. Hovercraft ride on a cushion of air 8 inches above the surface of the water or land.

Hovercraft can reach victims stuck in mud or quicksand; they can quickly reach victims who may have fallen through the ice. Boats cannot travel over mud, quicksand or ice. Victims of hypothermia need quick rescue and medical treatment, and as they loose mobility, they cannot reach or hold onto life lines. Rescuers should not be exposed to life threatening dangers when attempting to rescue others.

Hovercraft compared to Helicopters

Hovercraft are far more affordable to purchase and operate than helicopters.

Helicopters generate 100 mph down draft winds so require a long winch cable, winch man and operator to reach victims. During floods, many people may need rescue. Flood victims may climb trees and pylons to escape rising waters - helicopters cannot operate by pylons, and cannot see underneath tree cover. During the Tewksbury flood of 2007, a victim died because the rescue helicopter could not locate him below tree cover. Helicopters have poor communications with those on the ground.

Heath considerations

Flood waters are often contaminated with sewerage that can cause water-borne diseases, such as typhoid fever, cholera, leptospirosis and hepatitis A. Also Vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue and dengue haemorrhagic fever, yellow fever, and West Nile Fever.

Rescue hovercraft can be airlifted to where required, to deliver essential fresh drinking water, food and medicine.

Larger military hovercraft are usually too large to travel down small roads, situated in the wrong location, need specialist pilots and engineers, and are expensive to purchase and operate. 

Rescue hovercraft are easy to operate, do not need specialist engineers, are affordable to purchase and operate.

For further information, please visit www.hovpod.com and www.rescue-hovercraft.com/

Flood Rescue Equipment

Whilst there is still some debate as to whether global warming is getting worse or not, Hovercraft manufacturer Reaction International Ltd reports a significant year on year increase in sales for rescue hovercraft, as used by the Red Cross during the recent flooding in the UK.

Hovercraft are particularly useful in situations like flooding since hovercraft do not have propellers; apparently, street furniture and wire fencing straddled across farmland can quickly damage boat propellers leaving them immobile, whereas hovercraft float 9 inches above the surface, no problem. Mud and ice rescues are dangerous for rescuers, particularly at this time of year when temperatures are low. Hypothermia can slow mobility and impair judgement to place rescuers in danger - hovercraft can access areas out of bounds to rescue boats.  Rescue boats are pretty useless on mud flats and iced up lakes, and rescuers are often unable to reach victims without putting themselves in serious danger. For further details visit Rescue Hovercraft

New Hov Pod SPX Rescue Hovercraft

Hovercraft can reach victims of flooding, mud, sand, ice situations far faster than possible with boats or Jet Skis. The new Hov Pod SPX rescue hovercraft is rugged, exceptional buoyant, and available with choice of engine and options to suit all rescue applications. Flooding creates problems for boats, particularly in areas where submerged obstacles, e.g. wire fences, and street furniture can damage propellers. Ice victims suffer from hypothermia; mud/sand victims become trapped and difficult to reach. Hovercraft allow paramedics to quickly reach victims, without jeopardizing the health and safety of rescuers. Hovercraft can quickly transport victims directly along the shore or riverbank to waiting medical relief. For specification sheet visit http://www.rescue-hovercraft.com/