Our Inflatable prone water rescue boards are built to last and are incredibly durable, as with any gear though, the better you look after it, the better it looks after you. In this short blog we run through how you pack down your prone water rescue boards at the end of the session/season and give some hints and tips on how to safely store your boards when not in use.

Packing the board away

If possible, choose an area that is both dry and sand/dirt free, so you can pack your boards away clean.

a) Firstly, deflate the rescue board. Open the dust cap, depress the pin and twist it to the right to lock it open. Be careful to look away as any grit in and around the valve can get ejected at high speed.

b) Pop the board on it rails and remove the battens by pulling on the tabs. If you have taken the tabs off, then they will need to be added back on or you can grab and pull the ends of the battens with a pair of pliers.

c) Using a Phillips head screwdriver, remove your fin and re-attach the bolt to the fin for storage.

d) Remove the handle and hose from your pump, attach these to the velcro straps on the two sides and fold in the feet.

e) Place your pump on the nose of the board (down around the horizontal casualty grab handle) and fold the nose over the pump. Fold the board around the pump, working towards the tail and forcing out the remaining air – your aim is to end up with the fin box on a flat part of the fold, rather than an edge to get a neat roll.

f) Wrap the board strap around the board, fasten the buckle and tighten the strap to secure the board (do not over-tighten).

g) Place your battens in the back of the board bag and then put the board in on top of them. The fin and service kit can be neatly stashed away in the pouch inside the door panel.

packing away inflatable lifeguard rescue board in backpack

Storing and caring for your board

Our inflatable water rescue boards are designed to be stored inflated or deflated, so whichever works for you and your space is fine. Below are a few hints and tips on how to do so carefully and keep your boards fresh for many seasons.

Whichever way you are storing the boards, it is always important to wash them down well and store them dry. This is particularly important if the boards have been used in salt water. Rinse the boards thoroughly with fresh water, including the fin, fin box and handles. At the end of the season, it is also a smart idea to give your board bags a rinse too. The key with all of this is to let everything dry off thoroughly before packing away to prevent any mould or mildew.

As with all kit, the aging process can be significantly increased when exposed to high levels of heat and UV/sunlight for extended amounts of time. When not in use, it is important that you keep your boards out of direct sunlight and in a cool, shaded spot to maintain the longevity of the boards.

Storing Inflated

If the boards are being left for a long time between uses (2 months +) or for the off season, it is best to not store them on racks – they should be either on their side or stacked on a flat surface. It is not 100% necessary, but you may want to drop the pressure down inside the boards to 10-15 psi.

If space is a little tight, but you want to keep them inflated, you can always remove the fins. This allows you to pack them a little tighter and reduces the chances of damaging the fins/fin boxes on land.

lifeguard storing inflatable rescue board in surf lifesaving club

Storing Deflated

If you are leaving the rescue board in the bag for a long time, it is a good idea to pack it away with a loose roll and avoid over tightening the board strap. It is even more important here to make sure that everything is rinsed and completely dried off, as it will be sealed up inside its bag for a while.

As before, it is best to keep the boards in a cool, dry, ventilated space – out of direct sunlight.

lifeguard storing inflatable rescue board in surf lifesaving club

 

Our boards are hugely durable and are built to last, but if you need any repairs, we stock a full range of spare parts and are always on hand to assist if needed. If you have any questions, then please get in touch.