The  Water Rescue dummy is used by NATO and US Navies, Australian Surf Life Saving Clubs, State Emergency Services and the recognised sea rescue agencies. 

Originally developed in conjunction with the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (R.N.L.I), Greater Manchester Fire Service Water Incident Support Section and the British Navy; the Water Rescue dummies perfectly simulates an unconscious casualty in water.

Recently, the Water Rescue dummy was improved with new tapered arms with a 'wrist' that allows a rescuer to grasp the wrist as they would with a real casualty.  Additionally the new style shape head not only looks more realistic but sits better on the shoulders when the dummy is on the water.  

They will float at an angle of approx 45 degrees with just the head and shoulders being visible, however the overalls supplied have integral pockets that enable the user to add buoyancy or weight if required, to alter the dummy's position in the water.

The Water Rescue dummies can be supplied in two forms, 'man overboard' or 'search and rescue'.

The construction is similar to the General Purpose Training Dummies, but utilises a heavy-duty Nylon mesh for the carcass and non-absorbent closed cell foam. The nylon mesh carcass  allows the water to flood out of the dummy as it is being recovered, it further allows better ventilation when the dummy is hung up to dry. Strong plastic strips run from the shoulder area to the knee joint, these strips allow flexibility in and out of the water, but do not allow the dummy to bend in half when the patient is lifted from the front; this modification facilitates easier rescues using stretchers or recovery devices like a Jason's Cradle.

Available as 40kg (dry weight) adult dummy and the Youth size 20kg (dry weight) dummy; unfortunately rescuers are more likely to have to rescue children than adults.

With the addition of the Thermal Tabard accessory and heat packs, rescuers can practice searches using their thermal imaging cameras.

For alternative rescue scenarios where the patient is basically un-injured and well, such as Man Overboard from a yacht or IRB rescues or racing.

Both Man-Overboard and Search & Rescue models are
 available in adult 40kg and Youth 20kg sizes. 
Relative sizes are illustrated here.

The secret to the realistic Water Rescue dummy performance is the designed balance of the weighting vs the buoyancy - and the tough nylon mesh carcass.  When the dummy enters the water the nylon mesh allows the water to rapidly penetrate the dummy.  After a few minutes the legs of the dummy will drop below the surface, resting at an angle of about 45 degs to the surface, the head and shoulder will be above the surface. When retrieving the dummy the water will flood out; the rate at which the water drains out is directly related to the speed of the retrieval - the faster the retrieval the more water in the dummy and therefore the heavier the dummy will be.  As a guide, a fast 'snatch' retrieval may almost double the dry weight of the dummy ie: 40kg dummy will weight about 70kg.  A more realistic retrieval rate will result in a haul of 50-60 kg.

Close up of water rescue
dummy nylon mesh carcass

          
he buoyancy of the dummy can be varied by adding either weights or foam to the velcro closed pocket on the back.  As supplied we include a couple of extra layers of closed cell foam which can be removed to lower the level at which the dummy floats.

Note the lifting loop at the back of the head - the dummy can be lifted and hung up to dry using this.
         

For diver rescue training a few kilos of weight will sink the dummy to the sea floor.