Ice Mayday answered
Published: 01 April, 2009
Stockholm Fire Captain Alf Alexanderson was one of the first persons to test the Mayday-Hansa-Board, which is manufactured by Mayday Scandinavian International AB in Sweden. Having tested this piece of kit out in the field for 15 years, he knows that it could improve water and ice rescues everywhere.
The May-Day Hansa-Board is an essential tool for water and ice rescue and is used all over the world. And if one looks closely, it is easy to see why, packed as it is with so many well-thought out design features such as the 300-metre shore line and the looking-hole in the board, which allows the rescuer to search for victims who are under water.
A close look at the board
The board has several straps all over, so that in a multiple casualty operation a number of people can hold on. It also has a safety belt to secure a casualty.
The waterproof and thermo proof accessory bag – apart from being a thermo blanket – also contains ice picks and a light stick.
The ice picks enable the rescuer to move the board forward over the ice, by slamming picks in the ice one by one. There are four handles on the board, for carrying the board and the high handles are for being able to push or run with the board in front of you on the ice.
A multipurpose tool
While running an ice-rescue training module for Stockholm Fire Department’s rescue personnel, Alexanderson tested all the equipment designated for rescue operations. “The Mayday-Hansa-Board came out best in every situation. In combination with a dry suit it enables a rescuer to reach a person in most types of water and on all kinds of ice. The person can be secured and at the same time the rescuer can get on the board.
“I have never experienced a tool that works as well in different types of scenarios as the Mayday-Hansa-Board, and I say that based on my own experiences.”
Stockholm Fire Service has been using the boards for over 15 years and not only are they kept as standard on every rescue vehicle in the city, but they are taken to every rescue. In fact, firefighters even use them to transport equipment and persons.
Training and using the Hansa board
Alexanderson focuses on the following key points when training with the board. “We always try to have at least two men in dry suits, one on the board and one on the line, to secure return.
“The rescue team leader makes a quick observation and after that he signals for the board to move forward towards the person in need.
“To get the victim up onto the board the rescuer moves forward, and with the help of his own bodyweight slides the board under the victim. He then grabs the victim and pulls him up on the board by moving himself backwards. In the meantime, the rescue-team leader calls for back-up, plans the return, organises medical care, or calls for a rescue boat.”
Alexanderson adds that in a multiple casualty incident, more boards can be called in, but the focus should rather be on transporting the rescuer to the casualties in the fastest and safest manner. Rescuers need to maintain clear communication with the line-man and return the victims to shore, while giving first aid at the same time.
Alexanderson believes that having a Hansa-Board mounted on the rescue vehicle as standard is incredibly important. “Having the board ready for use, enables a fast and safe response to any water or ice emergency. Besides that, it is extremely handy in transporting equipment over water, ice or mud. Even in a fire situation, when helping ambulance personnel, or when rescuing animals, the Mayday-Hansa-Board always has its use. It saves lives
