Positive Flotation Harness (PFH) for Use by Canadian Forces Search and Rescue Technicians

At the request of Maritime Air Group Headquarters Halifax, National Defence Headquarters NDHQ tasked the Medical Life Support Division MLSD of this Institute DCIEM to research and develop a flotation system for the Canadian Forces Safety Restraint Harness, Rescue Specialist Double Lift Harness. The system should provide sufficient independent buoyancy for the wearer to conduct water rescue exercises without relying on the use of a life preserver. Utilizing unicellular foam for buoyancy, MLSD designed four prototype flotation systems over a period of four years, for operational evaluations OPVAL by Helicopter Squadrons 406, 423, 443, and the Diving Team of Canadian Forces Base Shearwater, Nova Scotia. Initial test results revealed deficiencies which were rectified by MLSD, based on operator recommendations. The last prototype evaluation concluded that the tested flotation system had sufficient buoyancy to keep two persons afloat, was a suitable replacement for the Double Lift HarnessJacket Lifesaving Combination and recommended that production models be acquired for the CH124A Helicopter fleet. A Canadian Aerospace Company is now finalizing fabrication of 70 flotation vests with inherent buoyancy and MLSD has submitted a draft Canadian Forces Modification Instruction detailing the interface of the vest and Double Lift Harness to NDHQ.