Rescue Training Manikins FAQ's

This is not an exhaustive list; any questions not addressed here can be directed to mail@ruthlee.co.uk or to your local representative (see worldwide sales).

Who are Ruth Lee Ltd?

Ruth Lee Ltd is Europe's leading manufacturer of rescue training manikins; we have been manufacturing equipment for the British emergency services for over 30 years.

How much are they?

That depends on which manikin you want and where you are - your local representative will be able to give you a price inclusive of local taxes and freight costs.

How are the manikins made?

All the different models are made in exactly the same way, with an innerbody weighted with aggregate to human proportions, held inside the outer carcass. The aggregate is distributed around the body in weighted packets in such a way that slumping of the weight is prevented, allowing the dummy to maintain its form during and after use.

What materials are used in the construction of the manikins?

The three main types, Flame Retardant (FR), Water Rescue (WR) and General Purpose (GP), all use different materials; the GP manikins (our most popular models) use heavy duty canvas, Nylon and polyurethane foam, whilst the FR models are made using a mixture of glass fibre, Kevlar, PBI Gold and heat resistant foam. The WR manikins use P.V.C, Nylon mesh and non absorbent foam. All manikins apart from the FR models are reinforced using high density polypropylene webbing.

Why do you use stone aggregate?

The aggregate provides the weight for all the different models; it has no sharp edges, provides enough flexibility and drains well.

Can you make heavier manikins?

We could probably accommodate requests for any weight of manikin up to 100Kg; anything not from our current range would certainly be more expensive and would not have the weight screen printed on the warning label on the head.

How do Ruth Lee manikins compare with the likes of Simulaid's Rescue Randy?

Ruth Lee training dummies are a different product from Simulaids Rescue Randy, they act more like an unconcious casualty and are more suited to most training scenarios. The Simulaids products are ideal where a more visually realistic or rigid casualty is required eg RTC training.

Why are they better than the cheap sand/rag filled alternatives on the market?

For all the reasons above, while still being value for money.

Who uses them?

100% of the UK Fire Services and emergency services worldwide; Ruth Lee Ltd also has contracts to supply The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) including the British Navy, The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), international and local airports worldwide, hospitals and ambulance services all use our rescue manikins; they are also used widely across industry.

Where can they be used?

It never ceases to amaze us where the manikins are used, from the obvious use within the emergency services were they can be used in situations too hazardous or uncomfortable for human volunteers, to murder victims for television companies. These products are perfect for simulating rescues from height, confined spaces, static and fast flowing water or extrication from vehicles and collapsed buildings.

Is there a warranty period?

Although it is impossible for Ruth Lee Ltd to provide a warranty for these products simply because of the circumstances in which they are used, the Company will always replace any product that is defective due to faulty materials or workmanship.

How do I look after my manikin?

These products are extremely robust, but care should always be taken when using them around sharp or jagged objects.

The manikins should always be hung up (using the webbing loop on the back) if they get wet.

Ruth Lee Ltd always recommends the use of the protective overalls or other protective clothing.

Not only do the overalls protect the carcass of the manikins during use, but they can be machine washed to keep the dummy clean; whilst this may not be important to Fire Services, it is certainly important when they are used in hospitals or schools etc. Should the carcass get dirty, it can simply be scrubbed clean with warm water and a mild detergent.

Do you have a risk assessment prepared for the manikins?

Yes we have a rescue training dummy risk assessment and an equipment note covering the whole dummy range, this information can be found at the bottom of the Rescue Training Dummy page.

Can we buy replacement overalls and boots?

Yes, these items can be replaced relatively cheaply.

What accessories are available for the manikins?

A range of accessories are available for Ruth Lee rescue manikins: Kevlar lined leg protectors, thermal tabards and heat packs, injury armbands and weighted vests in both 10 and 20Kg weights.

Can the manikins be dropped from a height e.g. from a second story window?

Yes, these manikins will survive an accidental fall from a second floor window, but Ruth Lee Ltd would not recommend that anyone purposely do this. The manikins will of course survive a fall from height onto a recognised safety product designed for that purpose.

Can you drive over a manikin in a vehicle?

Yes, we have driven over a number of manikins in a 4wd vehicle during testing and they suffered no damage at all.

Can the loop on the back be used to lift or lower the manikin?

Yes, the high density webbing loop on the back is an integral part of the manikin and will easily support the weight of the heaviest models when lifting or lowering.

Can I fit a standard safety harness to a manikin?

Yes

Can I use the thermal vest in water?

Yes

Are the heat packs used in the thermal vests re-usable, can I use my own supplier for them?

The heat packs supplied with the thermal vests are not reusable, replacement heat packs can be ordered from us although any proprietary heat packs will do.

Do you have N.A.T.O stock numbers for the manikins?

Yes, we can provide N.S.N numbers for the RL50 and RL20 general purpose manikins, we can also supply them for the water rescue man overboard model.

Do you make a carry bag for the manikins?

Yes we now produce an excellent carrying bag for the dummies, they make moving the dummies far easier for two people.

How do I dry the Water rescue manikins?

Because the Water Rescue manikins are made from a tough Nylon mesh, water will very easily drain from the carcass; holes are also drilled in the Wellington boots to aid the process.

As with all the manikins, we recommend that they are hung up to dry using the webbing loop on the back of the carcass .

What temperature will the Flame Retardant manikins withstand?

These manikins are intended to be used for snatch rescues from smoke/fire houses and should not be exposed to extreme temperatures for long periods. It should be remembered that the PBI Gold used for the overalls is the same material used for fire kit, and will break down if exposed to naked flame for any length of time. The FR manikins can be used many times at temperatures of between 200-250˚C without damage, but damage will occur at temperatures in excess of 350-400˚C.

What temperature will the general purpose manikins withstand?

GP manikins can be used in most circumstances but they should not be exposed to temperatures in excess of 100˚C; neither should they be placed in close proximity to heat sources or naked flame.

Can the Water Rescue dummies be used for diving exercises?

Yes, the buoyancy of these dummies can be altered to make it float higher in the water or to sink it; there is a pocket to the back of the overall that will accept floatation devices or weight as required. Alternatively, if the dummies are to be used permanently for diving exercises then it would be a simple matter to remove some of the closed cell foam from the dummy's chest cavity - instructions on how to do this will be given on request.

Why do the Water Rescue dummies have different coloured overalls?

The Water Rescue dummies are now supplied in two forms, 'man overboard' or 'search and rescue'. The man overboard dummy is supplied with bright orange overalls and reflective tape on the headband and is designed to be as conspicuous as possible. The Search and rescue model is supplied with black overalls, no reflective tape and an optional black mesh hood to cover the head; the idea is to make it as inconspicuous as possible to enable the rescue teams to practice their search, as well as their recovery techniques.