We have redesigned our popular DFO Belt System to dramatically increase its adaptability. By using a modular approach, firefighters, search and rescue and other swiftwater response teams can customize the "EDS" belt to meet specific requirements while addressing a much broader range of rescue needs.

It starts with a floatation equipped belt and a rated “swiftwater blow-out buckle”. On either side of the waist is a single-hand deployable quick release system.

This configuration allows you to mount equipment suitable for the unique rescue environment at hand. It can be rigged in the traditional configuration with a gear pouch on one side and throw bag on the other. For teams performing special operations like containment, system rigging, recovery and rescue, it can also be converted to carry multiple throw bags, gear pouch and two throw bags, or gear pouches for additional hardware. Both gear pouches and throw bags are interchangeable and available separately.

To increase its versatility even more we added a 2” stainless steel D-ring to the back of the belt which allows the belt to be used as a containment anchor during single-rescuer throw bagging of swimmers. This gives a single rescuer the ability to belay multiple static loads while freeing up other rescuers to cover a greater river area with containment. If conditions change, the containment anchor can be released simply by deploying the blow-out buckle.

By adding the 2” D-ring you now have a fully functional quick release swiftwater blow-out belt. Simply by repositioning the belt to the chest area for proper body angle to the current vector you can now incorporate more sophisticated in water procedures such as “Live Bait” and “Strong Swimmer” techniques.

Designed by river rescue professionals for river rescue professionals.

Dear North Water,

I can distinctly remember moments that strongly emphasized the essential nature of the DFO belt, for raft guides specifically. Getting to run a gear boat down the Great Bend of the Yangtzee was an amazing opportunity. Unfortunately the crew I was with, though experienced and capable, weren’t the best prepared. As we approached the scout eddy for the first big drop of the trip, Baptism rapid, I realized too late that the eddy wasn’t big enough for us all (of course no one had bothered to mention this). I managed to stall along the sheer left shore long enough to grab hold of the wall and hold myself momentarily in place as I pondered the options. I was positioned so that if I let go of the wall, I would be committed to running the rapid blind and alone, while the others scouted and watched. Hanging on with one hand, I removed and placed a stopper from my gear pouch in a little crack, then clipped the belt bag to it and secured the boat. Though the stopper stayed in the crack as I cast off into the maelstrom, my belt had proven again to be an indispensable tool.

The Futaleufu is known the world over for its unequaled turquoise non-stop whitewater action. One of the rapids, Zeta, is often portaged by kayakers, and ghost boated by rafters. The process of ghost boating the rapid is straight forward, though often involving a down-climb of a small, 10 meter, cliff in order to retrieve the raft/s. At high water the down-climb can be wet and too exposed for comforts sake, and the raft/s end up in a dangerous eddy above a potentially lethal undercut. Here again the belt proves its value and versatility. Carrying a small personal extrication device (designed for firefighters) along in the gear pouch enabled me to rappel on the prusik line in the belt bag, using the belt as a swami, and drop lightly and safely right into the rafts. Thank you again Northwater.
The Cotahuasi Canyon in Southern Peru is a serious, remote, and demanding run to guide rafts down, a place where the belt truly shines. On our last trip it was used as a hand-line at treacherous spots on the 8 - 10 hour hike to the put-in; as a throw bag from shore when the other line was in the upside down and pinned raft; as a z-drag line and kit to re-right the raft as the wrap kit was still upstream in another boat; to tether a “boat catcher” to shore so that he wouldn’t get sweep away down stream into an ugly undercut when grabbing incoming boats; and of course as general downstream and on water backup. Versatile & effective is a must for guides and gear alike on runs like the Cota.

Some other moments: -on the Salt river with an upside down boat floating into the Maze rapid, and the other throw bag already deployed, and lost in the initial attempt to stop the boat, the belt bag came in awfully handy for stopping the raft in a small eddy downstream. – On the Zambezi, using the belt to tow yet another upside down boat, after Deep Throat rapid, into the big eddy on the left. – lining boats through the gnarliest spots on the first raft descent of the Rio Michamahuida in Southern Chile… among many.
At home in Taos, New Mexico I use the EDS belt heavily when teaching rescue. It frees my hands for swimming if, and when, a student needs in water assistance, and provides multiple on demand options in almost every scenario. Honestly, after hours and hours of practice and use with the Belt, It is as critical to my kit as my PFD for being on the water. The belt also has a spot in my winter gear arsenal. I’m finding it to be an excellent addition to my Ski Patrol gear, as well as useful in the backcountry for carrying everything from a small first-aid kit, to snacks and sunscreen when scrambling off trail in steep terrain where a rope is potentially useful and a backpack undesirable.

I’m surprised that you focus so singularly on kayaks and canoes. Kaykers seem to be even more rescue-vest oriented than rafters are (hopefully they practice with their gear more than rafters do). I have given up on the rescue vest as it is such a pain in the ass, every yahoo and their grandmother wears one, and they aren’t nearly as versatile on and especially off the water as the EDS rescue belt is. I could go on and on about this, and I’m sure bore you. Your vest is a good one for instruction and I know a few badass guides who use it. It’s just too much for me though, I prefer more simple (to each his own).
A few other comments, notes, and thoughts:

1) I removed the extra clip on the throw-bag because I don’t want the hard plastic to hit someone I throw the bag to, It will stay on the belt and not be clipped elsewhere (I have other throw-bags for that), and it made the bag harder to get back on the belt and seemed like added weight (even though not much).

2) I turned the actual belt upside down and flipped the pouch and bag right side up but still with the bag on the right side. This keeps the belt and attachments closer to the belt and body since the webbing is sewn closer to one side than the other on the belt. It seems to be working well. I also lightly stitched closed the pouches quick release so that it is less likely to accidentally release during a swim or whatnot.

3) Though I haven’t watched your whole video closely, I did notice that the kayakers were placing themselves in “the bight” of their body belays. Not really a big deal I guess, but better to have the weight tensioning on the downstream side of the body than the upstream side. We teach not being caught in a bight of rope as a basic rule of thumb for the rescuers safety and effectiveness. Aside from that, what I saw was a top-notch production. I can tell that a lot of work and effort went into its production, good job.

4) Many guides wear flip lines, which pose a danger to the guide in various ways, and if you wear a belt bag, it gets in the way of the flip line. Answer: wear a belt bag that is able to quick release and stash your flip line in a PFD pocket where it won’t get hung up. Simple.

5) Feel free to use any, or all of the above, at your leisure and convenience. If you would like a more detailed write up of one of the above situations or have any other questions, concerns or comments, please email me and let me know. I would appreciate it.

Thanks again for extending me a pro-deal on the EDS belt, I was sweating not having one for our upcoming Cota trip. I would also like to offer my services as guide, consultant, gear developer, logistics specialist, rescue/ guide instructor, translator (French & Spanish), gear representative, or what-have-you. It would be an honor to work with you in any given capacity, and I realize you probably have more than enough people to call upon when needed. Still don’t hesitate to call or write if the need arises.
FRESHWATERS – D. Harvey King

PS: I have seen the Kokopelli boys, all of whom we put through our Swiftwater rescue for the river professional course, wearing their EDS belts on the water recently. I was glad to see they took my advice and purchased the best available rescue belt on the market today. 2010