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NRS
NRS Rescue Board
Dressed for the Water, Ready to Work
NRS built its SAR line for responders who go in the water. The Extreme SAR dry suit seals with latex gaskets and adds padding, SOLAS tape and badge patches. The Rapid Rescuer is a Type V rescue PFD with 22 lbs of flotation, a quick-release rescue belt and an internal harness. Top it off with the Tactyl helmet and an NFPA rope throw bag.
Extreme SAR Dry SuitLatex gaskets, Triton fabric
Rapid Rescuer PFDUSCG Type V, 22 lbs flotation
Tactyl HelmetCE EN 1385, NVG shroud & rails
NFPA Rope Throw Bag75 ft NFPA 1983 GrabLineNRS says a rescue PFD's quick-release harness takes training and practice to use safely, so take a swiftwater rescue class before you rely on it. NRS lists no NFPA certification for its dry suits, PFDs or helmets. Compare NRS rescue gear.
Which NRS Rescue Gear Is Right for You?
The core NRS rescue models we carry, side by side. Click a product to see sizes and colors.
| Product | Type | Rating | Build | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extreme SAR Dry Suit | Rescue dry suit | No NFPA rating listed | 3-layer Triton; latex neck & wrist gaskets; padded knees & elbows | Full immersion: swiftwater, flood, ice |
| Extreme SAR GORE-TEX Dry Suit | Rescue dry suit | No NFPA rating listed | GORE-TEX Pro with PFAS-free ePE membrane; latex gaskets; Cordura reinforcement | Long, cold missions in the water |
| Ascent SAR Dry Suit | Rescue dry suit | No NFPA rating listed | 3-layer Triton; cinchable neoprene neck & neoprene wrists | Wading and long shifts; less constricting seal |
| Rescue Wetsuit | Full wetsuit | None listed | 3 mm titanium neoprene; PowerSpan arms; armored knees & shins | Rescue swimmers in cold water |
| Rapid Rescuer PFD | Rescue PFD | USCG Type V, 22 lbs | 400D ripstop; 2 in. quick-release rescue belt; internal harness | Swiftwater technicians, live-bait rescue |
| Rapid Responder PFD | Rescue PFD | USCG Type V, 22 lbs | Rapid Rescuer build with a MOLLE attachment system | Teams who set up gear by role |
| Vector SAR PFD | Rescue PFD | USCG Type V, 16.75-18 lbs | Lower profile; 1.5 in. quick-release belt; two-way knife dock | Moving on land and in the water |
| Tactyl Helmet | Water helmet | CE EN 1385 | ABS shell; EPP liner; NVG shroud & ARC side rails | Running lights and cameras |
| Reactor Rescue Gloves | Rescue gloves | None listed | 3 mm titanium neoprene; aramid palm & fingers | Cold water rope work |
| Storm Boots | Water boot | None listed | Mesh upper; HyperGrip lugged sole; zip & laces | Hiking and wading rough, wet ground |
| NFPA Rope Rescue Throw Bag | Throw bag | Rope NFPA 1983 (2012) | 75 ft 3/8 in. Sterling GrabLine, 3,282 lbs | Fire department water rescue teams |
| Pro Rescue Throw Bag | Throw bag | None listed | 75 ft 3/8 in. UltraLine, Spectra core, 5,237 lbs | Throws and heavier rope work |
| NFPA G-Rated Master-D Carabiner | Carabiner | NFPA 1983 G-rated (40 kN) | Hot-forged aluminum; 127 g; screw lock | Anchors and mechanical advantage |
| Rescue Board | Rescue board | 3-year warranty | Drop-stitch, inflates to 20 psi; folds for transport | Fast reach to a swimmer |
| ASR 155 Rescue Boat | Rescue boat | 3-year warranty | 15' 5" x 49"; 4" drop-stitch deck | Crews of 3-4 on water, ice and snow |
Ratings are as NRS lists them. NRS water helmets are certified to CE EN 1385 for whitewater, not NFPA. Only the NFPA rope throw bag and the Master-D carabiner list NFPA 1983.
NRS SAR Dry Suit Size Chart
This is NRS's chart for the Extreme SAR, Extreme SAR GORE-TEX, Ascent SAR and Ascent SAR GORE-TEX dry suits. It uses your body measurements, not the garment's. G sizes are cut for a bigger chest and waist at the same height and sleeve length as L, XL and XXL.
| Size | Height | Chest / Waist |
|---|---|---|
| S | 5'6"-5'10" | 34-37" / 31-34" |
| M | 5'8"-6'0" | 38-41" / 35-38" |
| L | 5'10"-6'2" | 42-45" / 39-42" |
| XL | 6'0"-6'4" | 46-49" / 43-46" |
| Size | Height | Chest / Waist |
|---|---|---|
| XXL | 6'2"-6'6" | 50-53" / 47-50" |
| G-L | 5'10"-6'2" | 53-55" / 53-55" |
| G-XL | 6'0"-6'4" | 56-59" / 56-59" |
| G-XXL | 6'2"-6'6" | 60-63" / 60-63" |
How we make it easy
- Our size menu lists XXL as 2XL and G-XXL as G-2XL. NRS sizes the built-in dry socks S 6-9, M and L 9-12, and XL and up 12-15 (men's US).
- Plan room for layers. NRS base layers and HydroSkin go under the suit. Shop NRS thermal layers.
- Other NRS dry suits, wetsuits and PFDs use their own charts. Check the size menu on each product.
- Wrong size? Exchanges are simple with our easy 30-day returns.
NRS Rescue Gear FAQ
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Who makes NRS rescue gear?
NRS is Northwest River Supplies, founded in 1972 by river runner and business professor Bill Parks. The company is based in Moscow, Idaho, where it designs its products in-house, and it has been 100% employee owned since 2014. Its rescue line covers dry suits, PFDs, helmets, throw bags, rope hardware and rescue boats for water rescue teams.
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Are NRS rescue PFDs Coast Guard approved?
Yes. The Rapid Rescuer, Rapid Responder, Vector SAR and Ninja Pro are US Coast Guard Type V rescue vests with a quick-release rescue belt. The Rapid Rescuer and Rapid Responder have 22 lbs of flotation. NRS says the rescue harness takes training and practice to use safely, so take a swiftwater rescue class before you rely on it.
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Is NRS rescue gear NFPA certified?
Some of it. The NFPA Rope Rescue Throw Bag uses Sterling GrabLine rope certified to NFPA 1983 (2012 edition), and the Master-D Screw Lock Carabiner is NFPA 1983 G-rated at 40 kN. NRS lists no NFPA certification for its dry suits, wetsuits or PFDs, and its water helmets are certified to CE EN 1385 for whitewater, not NFPA. Check your department's spec before you order.
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What is the difference between the NRS Extreme SAR and Ascent SAR dry suits?
The seals. The Extreme SAR uses latex neck and wrist gaskets for full immersion, and NRS designed the gaskets for easy in-house repair and replacement. The Ascent SAR has a cinchable neoprene neck and neoprene wrists that are less constricting and, NRS says, seal out most water, which suits long wading shifts. Each comes in 3-layer Triton or GORE-TEX Pro.
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How do NRS SAR dry suits fit?
NRS sizes its SAR dry suits by height, chest and waist, from S (5'6" to 5'10") to XXL (6'2" to 6'6"). G sizes keep the same height and sleeve length but fit a larger chest and waist. The chart uses body measurements, so leave room for base layers.
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Which NRS throw bag should a fire department carry?
If your department needs NFPA rope, choose the NFPA Rope Rescue Throw Bag: 75 feet of 3/8 inch Sterling GrabLine rated at 3,282 lbs. The Pro Rescue Throw Bag has 75 feet of Spectra-core UltraLine rated at 5,237 lbs, and the Standard Rescue Throw Bag has 75 feet of floating polypropylene rope rated at 1,900 lbs.
NFPA Rope Throw BagPro Rescue Throw BagAll throw bags & rope
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What is the NRS warranty?
NRS guarantees all NRS products to the original owner against defects in materials and workmanship, and will repair, replace or refund at its option. Inflatables have set terms: the NRS rescue boats, rafts and Rescue Board are 3 years, Otter rafts 7 years (4 commercial) and E-Series rafts 10 years (6 commercial). Zipper damage from accidents, misuse or lack of care is not covered. The Public Safety Store is an authorized NRS dealer, so if you think your gear has a defect, contact us and we'll help with the claim.
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Where can I buy NRS rescue gear?
You can buy NRS rescue gear at The Public Safety Store, a firefighter-owned store, For the Brave Behind the Badge, and an authorized NRS dealer. We carry NRS SAR dry suits, rescue PFDs, helmets, throw bags, rescue boats, rafts and repair parts. Every order is backed by our price match guarantee and easy 30-day returns.