Many owners of smaller vessels realize that relying on just life preservers does not guarantee adequate protection in the event of a sinking or fire. They may not, however, have sufficient stowage space aboard for a Life Raft in a valise or a mounting location suitable for a rigid container. The relatively high cost of Life Rafts designed for even “coastal” use may also be prohibitive. Between the alternatives of Life Vests and a Life Raft is the…..RESCUE POD.

The RESCUE POD is a very high quality and rugged inflatable flotation platform with canopy that supports four people and offers basic protection from the elements. The compact sizes of its fiberglass container or soft valise allow it to be carried aboard the smallest open sport fishing boat, day cruiser or sail boat. Although small in packed size, the RESCUE POD is extremely tough and durable.

Our design philosophy for the RESCUE POD is identical to the approach we took when we developed the well-known Switlik MD-SERIES Life Rafts. We use the same inflation system, double-coated 16 ounce per square yard urethane coated nylon buoyancy chamber materials, double-taped overlap seams, and construction techniques as on our USCG Approved Life Rafts.

The single chamber main buoyancy tube provides 800 pounds of primary flotation and the 6 independent compartments of the inflatable canopy offer 210 pounds of reserve buoyancy.

The double layer inflatable canopy design is the same as used on the one person Life Rafts we manufacture for fighter pilots of the United States Navy and Air Force. The canopy design provides better hypothermia protection than the single layer canopy used on most standard Life Rafts.

Upon inflation of the RESCUE POD, the canopy remains furled around the top of the buoyancy tube until needed. This allows for easier boarding from either the water or your vessel. Once in the POD, the occupants can immediately pull the canopy over themselves for protection from wind and rain. The canopy can then be inflated using the oral inflation tubes.

To keep the packed size as small as possible and reduce the cost of servicing, the RESCUE POD only contains a hand pump, repair clamps, and a waterproof combination strobe/flashlight. We recommend that you equip a separate “Abandon Ship” bag with additional items appropriate to the area in which you operate your vessel.

The RESCUE POD should be serviced at a factory authorized service station within 24 months of purchase and every year thereafter. Unlike Life Rafts weighing more than 75 pounds, the RESCUE POD may be shipped to any of our service stations by UPS or FedEx. The simple design of the RESCUE POD offers the additional benefit of lower service fees than those for standard Life Rafts.

• Hand Laid Fiberglass Container or Fabric Valise
• Insulating Heat Sealed Double Wall Canopy (oral inflation)
• Heat Sealed Urethane Coated Nylon Buoyancy Chamber
• Water Activated Exterior Locator Light
• Sea Anchor (automatically deployed)
• Painter/Static Line (length, 25 ft.)
• Rectangular Ballast Pockets
• Manual Topping Off Valve
• Retro-Reflective Tape
• Pressure Relief Valve
• Raft Use Instructions
• CO2 Inflation System
• POD Righting Strap
• Lifelines (inner)
• Lifelines (outer)
• Floating Knife
• Utility Bag

• Manual Inflation Pump
• Repair Clamps (2 ea.)
• Waterproof Combination Strobe/Flashlight

• Anodized Aluminum Deck Mounting Cradle
• Independent Heat Sealed Inflatable Floor
• Abandon Ship Duffel Bag
• Flare Kit