Standard Setup, One Throwbag, One Gear Pouch

North Water has redesigned their popular DFO Belt System to dramatically increase its adaptability. By using a modular approach, firefighters, search and rescue and other swiftwater response teams can customize the "EDS" belt to meet specific requirements while addressing a much broader range of rescue needs.

It starts with a floatation equipped belt and a rated “swiftwater blow-out buckle”. On either side of the waist is a single-hand deployable quick release system.

This configuration allows you to mount equipment suitable for the unique rescue environment at hand. It can be rigged in the traditional configuration with a gear pouch on one side and throw bag on the other. For teams performing special operations like containment, system rigging, recovery and rescue, it can also be converted to carry multiple throw bags, gear pouch and two throw bags, or gear pouches for additional hardware. Both gear pouches and throw bags are interchangeable and available separately.

To increase its versatility even more we added a 2” stainless steel D-ring to the back of the belt which allows the belt to be used as a containment anchor during single-rescuer throw bagging of swimmers. This gives a single rescuer the ability to belay multiple static loads while freeing up other rescuers to cover a greater river area with containment. If conditions change, the containment anchor can be released simply by deploying the blow-out buckle.

By adding the 2” D-ring you now have a fully functional quick release swiftwater blow-out belt. Simply by repositioning the belt to the chest area for proper body angle to the current vector you can now incorporate more sophisticated in water procedures such as “Live Bait” and “Strong Swimmer” techniques.

Designed by river rescue professionals for river rescue professionals.