Must- Haves for Water Rescue Emergency Response Teams
Published on
May 19th, 2026
With the Water Rescue season in full swing, preparation is everything. That includes training, mindset, and having the right gear ready when emergencies happen. As temperatures continue to rise, water activity increases — and unfortunately, so do water-related emergencies, drownings, and other rescue incidents. At All Hands Equipment and Training, our mission is not only to help prepare your team for emergency response, but also to equip you with the tools and gear needed to perform safely and effectively when it matters most.
To help make preparation easier, we’ve created custom equipment packages designed specifically for departments and rescue teams. These packages simplify the shopping and purchasing process while ensuring your team has dependable, mission-ready gear. To take it a step further, we can also build fully customized packages tailored to your department’s unique needs and operational demands. Before we dive into those options, we’d like to share a few of our best sellers and top recommendations for your team below.
Economy Package
Starting off strong with our Economy Package. This is by far our most popular and for good reason. It's a reliable and budget friendly solution for departments, agencies and teams looking to outfit personnel for basic water rescue response. It includes essential gear for safety, visibility and functionality in swiftwater, flood or shoreline operations –without compromising on quality. This package is ideal for supporting units, secondary response, or anyone looking to build a strong water rescue capability on a budget. The Economy Package includes the following NRS products: Ascent Dry Suit, Rapid Rescuer PFD, Tow Tether (33”), 90L Mesh Duffle Bag (Red), 2MM Neoprene Utility Gloves, Workboot Wetshoes, and Livery Helmet, along with the Fox 40 Whistle (Red), Princeton Tec Meridian Strobe Light (Neon Yellow), NRS Pilot Knife, and two SMC Force Series D Screw Lock Carabiners.
Haix Black Eagle Package
Moving on to one of our premium footwear options, the All Hands Water Rescue Footwear Package – Haix Black Eagle Athletic 2.0 is built for first responders operating in swiftwater, flood, and shoreline rescue environments. Designed for performance in and around the water, the Haix Black Eagle Athletic 2.0 delivers exceptional support, durability, and all-day comfort in demanding conditions. This package allows you to order up to 8 pairs of Haix Black Eagle Athletic 2.0 T High Side Zip boots along with a carry/storage duffel bag — your choice of either the Purest Mesh Duffel Bag or the NRS Rescue Duffel Bag — creating a convenient and efficient grab-and-go solution for rescue professionals.
Ideal for swiftwater and flood rescue teams, as well as law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel working near water, this package is also a great option for departments looking to standardize high-performance rescue footwear kits across their teams while ensuring comfort, durability, and readiness in demanding rescue scenarios.
Hot Zone Package
The All Hands Water Rescue Hot Zone Package is another excellent option for departments preparing for demanding water rescue operations. Built for responders operating in high-risk environments, this package delivers essential swiftwater PPE in one streamlined, ready-to-deploy solution. Whether you’re outfitting a new team or replacing outdated equipment, the Hot Zone Package helps simplify department purchasing while ensuring your personnel are equipped with dependable, high-performance gear. By utilizing pre-assembled, mission-ready equipment, departments can reduce procurement downtime and improve overall operational efficiency.
The package includes the following NRS gear: Rapid Rescuer PFD, Havoc Livery Helmet, NFPA Rope Rescue Throw Bag, Workboot Wetshoes, Purest Mesh Duffel Bag (Recommended 90L), and Utility Gloves, along with the Princeton Tec EOS II Headlamp, Fox 40 Classic Safety Whistle with Lanyard, and NRS Pilot Knife. This package is ideal for fire, EMS, and rescue personnel entering the Hot Zone, departments standardizing gear for in-water response, and teams preparing for swiftwater and flood rescue operations. For teams requiring additional thermal protection, we also offer Hot Zone packages that include a drysuit or wetsuit.
Rapid Rescuer and Rapid Responder PFD Packages
That brings us to our Rapid Rescuer and Rapid Responder Packages —two options that we keep in stock and ready to ship for departments needing dependable gear fast. The NRS Rapid Rescuer PFD Package provides essential swiftwater rescue equipment in one streamlined bundle, making it a great option for outfitting new responders or standardizing department-issued PPE. This package includes the Rapid Rescuer PFD and NRS Pilot Knife, along with the Fox 40 Classic Safety Whistle with Lanyard. Designed for firefighters, EMS personnel, and technical rescue teams, this package is ideal for agencies equipping swiftwater rescue personnel or departments looking for a simplified, ready-to-deploy PFD solution.
The Rapid Responder PFD Package offers a similarly efficient setup for daily water rescue operations. It includes the Rapid Responder PFD and NRS Pilot Knife, paired with the Fox 40 Classic Safety Whistle with Lanyard. This package is ideal for fire, EMS, and public safety water rescue teams, as well as shore-based or in-water response personnel. It’s a practical solution for departments seeking a simple, effective, and mission-ready PFD kit for routine operations and emergency response.
X-Sled and Rescue Board Packages
Lastly, we’d like to highlight two of our most dependable and versatile equipment packages: the NRS Rescue Board Package and the NRS X-Sled 115 Rescue Boat Package. Both are designed to help departments deploy quickly, operate efficiently, and stay prepared for a variety of water rescue scenarios.
The NRS Rescue Board Package is a ready-to-deploy solution for swiftwater, flood, shoreline, and ocean rescue operations. Built around the high-performance Rescue Board, this package includes the following NRS equipment: Rescue Board, Universal Fins, Boat Bag, and Quick Fill Kit (SCBA Compatible). Compact, lightweight, and easy to transport, this setup provides responders with a fast, reliable rescue platform trusted by teams nationwide. It’s ideal for ocean rescue teams, lifeguards, swiftwater and flood response personnel, and crews operating in shallow water or victim retrieval zones.The Rescue Board is also ideal for use with jet skis, allowing rescuers to tow the board for rapid victim access and retrieval in dynamic water rescue environments.
The NRS X-Sled 115 Rescue Boat Package provides a highly maneuverable inflatable platform built for swiftwater, flood, and ice rescue operations. This package includes the following NRS equipment: Rescue X-Sled 115, Ripple Paddle, PTC Canoe/Raft Paddle (Yellow/Red 60”), Quick Fill Kit (SCBA Compatible), and Boat Bag (Size M). Designed for rapid deployment as well as operational readiness, the X-Sled Package is ideal for departments equipping specialized water rescue units and teams needing a reliable, versatile platform for victim retrieval and water access.
Ready To Outfit Your Team?
These packages, along with many more, are available in the Chief’s Corner section located in the top left corner of our website. Our goal is to make the purchasing process as simple and efficient as possible so your department can focus on what matters most — public safety and protecting both your community and your team. For more information about utilizing our packages or customizing your own, click here.
To make procurement even easier, many of these solutions are available through our Sourcewell and GSA contracts, and we also offer fully customized packages tailored to your department’s specific operational needs. For more information, custom package requests, or assistance selecting the right equipment for your team, contact us at Sales@AllHandsFire.com or call 888-681-1009 to speak directly with a member of our team.