Long before it was popularized by fashion-conscious shoppers and flamboyant hip-hoppers, the word swag simply described a no-frills portable sleeping unit used by happy campers across Australia and New Zealand. The Rescue Swag doesn’t depict a stylish liberation mission or a place to rest your head, but it does transform this mainstay of outdoor adventure into a handy first aid kit that can also be used as a sling or splint.
The Rescue Swag weighs 1.6 kg (3.52 lb) and measures 35 x 17 x 20 cm (14 x 7 x 8 in). Rolled up, it presents as a neat, compact package that can be worn around a hiker’s waist, strapped to the handlebars of a motorbike, mounted to a horse’s saddle or tossed in the back of a car.
Should some kind of accident occur while exploring the great outdoors, the user will have an extensive range of first aid contents and useful features to call on. Inside they’ll find instant ice-packs, iodine swabs, forceps, burn gels, baggies for amputated body parts, thermal blankets and dressings for wounds, burns and snake bites.
But what sets the Rescue Swag apart from other comprehensive first aid kits is its adaptability. It can be modified and used as a sling or splint for a damaged limb and a compression device.
There’s also a compartment for carrying water, a pocket for devices and an accompanying smartphone app that offers instructions for a variety of emergency situations. A personal locating beacon is available as an optional extra.
The Rescue Swag is available through the website below and is priced at AUD$139 (US$100).
These look pretty cool!! Here at Canberra First Aid we might start selling these. Let us know if you would be interested in purchasing at on of our first aid courses in Canberra. We look forward to hearing from you soon.