LifeBoard

In Denmark, on average, a fatal drowning accident occurs every 5 days. This is undoubtedly an unbearable loss for relatives, which is where our attention is focused first and foremost. No one should lose a loved one in a drowning accident.

In addition, from a societal perspective, there is also a massive economic loss associated with a drowning accident. The Council for Greater Bathing and Water Safety estimates that it costs society approximately DKK 30 million for every death caused by a drowning accident.

Where there is water, there is a risk of drowning accidents, and even seemingly harmless water can lead to accidents due to a lack of attention. With LifeBoard, a concrete and visible effort is made for safety, available around the clock. At LifeBoard, our goal is to create the world’s safest beaches.

LifeBoard is designed with special care to provide life-critical buoyancy for both the rescuer and the distressed individual. Therefore, we have designed LifeBoard with:

1. a safety strap to ensure that the equipment is not lost during a rescue operation

2. Nine handles that provide stabilization for multiple distressed individuals. 

3.A foam-filled core that ensures buoyancy even if the plastic shell is damaged

Leading research in the field states that 97% of all fatal drownings occur during rescue attempts without the use of floatation devices. This recognizes floatation devices as a critical element in increasing the safety of both rescuer and person in distress.

Therefore, it is of utmost importance that civilian rescuers take a floatation device with them. Where other floatation devices may provide buoyancy for 1-2 people, we have designed LifeBoard with buoyancy for up to six people. That's why we believe LifeBoard is the best choice as rescue equipment for civilians.

LifeBoard is developed based on the vision that our rescue equipment should be usable by everyone. LifeBoard is therefore designed for and tested by more than 200 civilian users with different water skills, gender, age and background. We have collected data from our tests and continuously optimized and adjusted the equipment so that as many people as possible have good conditions for using the equipment. This does not mean that everyone can and should perform a civilian rescue. It means that if you feel able to stop the accident, we've done everything we can to give you the best conditions to do just that.

It is never simple to perform a rescue, but we believe that LifeBoard is the most straightforward and secure option for rescue equipment for civilians.

Our rescue equipment is designed wide to make it more stable to lie on. The non-slip rubber base indicates where to lie.

Good swimmers and surfers quickly find their balance in the middle of the board, place the nose of the board in the water's surface, and paddle with their arms and legs. Less experienced swimmers take a little time to find their balance in calm water. If balance is a challenge, one can hold onto a handle and use the legs to balance and provide propulsion. 

In waves, all rescue equipment is difficult to use. That's why we also encourage people to take water and wind conditions seriously. If you choose to attempt a rescue in waves, you can pull the board behind you until you are through the surf.

What is common for both experienced and inexperienced rescuers is that swimming speed increases and exhaustion decreases compared to swimming with a life buoy. This is shown in a 2023 study conducted by a group of students at Aalborg University. The report can be found under the tab Information -> Brochures.

Lifesaving is not for everyone. At LifeBoard, we therefore spend a lot of our time and resources on preventive efforts. If people learn how to behave in open water, fewer will end up in tragic drowning situations.

That said, it's a fact that people go into the water to save each other. We strongly encourage assessing the situation before entering the water, but also understand that a father doesn't wait on land while his daughter is drowning. That's why LifeBoard is designed for anyone who finds it necessary to perform a civilian rescue.

Always alert 1-1-2 before attempting a rescue and avoid going into water conditions you are not comfortable swimming in. If you go out, always bring rescue equipment with you.

Bringing a rescue device such as a LifeBoard increases the buoyancy of both the rescuer and the casualty and therefore the chance of survival. The victim will often be in a state of panic or shock and will therefore tend to grab the rescuer. In unfortunate cases, if the rescuer does not have a buoyancy aid with them, this can result in an unintentional drowning of the rescuer. This is why it is vital that the rescuer carries a buoyancy aid for civilian lifesaving.