New water rescue dummies 'invaluable' for crews

A fire chief has said new specialist water rescue dummies which can replicate the weight and behaviour of people who are drowning, will be "invaluable" when they are training rescue crews.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has invested in five new dummies, creating more realistic scenarios during training.

Three 44kg (6st 13lbs) adult dummies, one 22kg (3st 6lbs) youth dummy, and one baby dummy were delivered to the force to help its water safety campaign ahead of the summer.

Watch manager Kevin Tedds said the new equipment will allow the service to enhance training as well as community events, showing the dangers of water.

According to the service, unlike standard training aids, the new dummies float in a near‑vertical position, leaving only the head and shoulders visible above the surface — precisely how a real unconscious casualty might present.

Tedds, who is located at Stapleford Fire Station, said: "The new equipment will be invaluable to the station's operational and community programmes.

"This investment allows us to enhance both our training standards and the quality of our community safety sessions.

"Realistic training helps our crews stay prepared, but just as importantly, it enables us to demonstrate to the public how they can help themselves and others in an emergency."

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