SURVIVALEQUIPMENT
As can be seen from Helly Hansen’s ski survival suit (top right) the company feeds the design and
technology from their more extreme apparel and work wear into their more mainstream products.
(Bottom right)The immersion suit’s plastic shield to protect from spray and birds. (Bottom left)
The immersion suits keeping the Outsider crew toasty warm in the fjords. (Top left) A hand made
immersion suit being tested for airtightness.
at sea – and we’re not talking about the the technology from their more extreme
obvious but maybe over-hyped menaces apparel and work wear into their more
like shark attacks.We’re talking about mainstream products.
seasickness and birds.According to Like their survival ski suit – which
Grøneng, it’s highly likely that survivors draws from both the aquatic line and
will throw up in turbulent seas and survival suit made for helicopter pilots.
feathered creatures are likely to be the This bright orange one-piece number is
first on the scene – initially scrounging constructed with two-layer, waterproof,
opportunely on the vomit and then turn breathable fabric and has fully taped
to attack the eyes and noses of victims as seams to keep out the extreme weather
they become too tired to fend them off conditions found in the backcountry. And
by waving their arms. all of the pockets have been designed
Who could ever have thought that for operation using gloves
such a feature could be necessary? Helly The Odin range, which is a
Hansen is one such company. Over the complete apparel system for mountain
last 130 years they have been focussed professionals, from base layers to
on designing kit to suit every possible softshells, insulators and outerwear, fifavourites to win.i
circumstance, pushing the boundaries has also benefited.Take the Odin PCM The Ocean One Piece is built in
of fabric technology. And listening to softshell jacket for example. A winner the same facility in Moss, Norway,
feedback from those that use them.Like of an international red dot design where the brand’s ocean survival
Kjell Håvaard Brandmo.Back in January award for innovation, functionality and suits are constructed.It is made from
1999, the 35-foot vessel that he was a quality, it’s made with Schoeller-PCM professional-grade Helly Tech XP
fisherman on was caught in a bitter storm smart.What this means is that during waterproof breathable fabrics
on the North Sea as they tried to reach warmer conditions – as experienced The full-stretch suit, designed in
Honningsvåg.In temperatures as low in high intensity activities – excess collaboration with Ericsson’sVolvo
as -15°C, the boat became completely heat is stored in the jacket, and then Ocean Race team, repels wind and
covered in ice and tipped over, forcing released when the temperature falls waves, and seals in body warmth with
the three crew members into their or activity levels are reduced.Also the a waterproof zip and comfortable
survival suits and into the 2°C water.They same welding technique that is used neoprene wrist, ankle and neck
were rescued from the 6m waves after for the offshore survival suit is used in closures.Safety is enhanced with a
3.5 hours.“We would not have survived these garments on zippers, pockets and removable high visibility adjustable
for 10 minutes without the survival suits,” vents. hood and Solas reflectives on all sides.
Brandmo stated. As for the sailing gear, the ocean Pretty impressive! Then again, Helly
racing suit also draws from both the Hansen is recognized for inventing
aquatic line and survival suit made for the first waterproof fabrics when seaInto the mainstream
helicopter pilots to help sailors cope in captain Helly Juell Hansen made his
And while you or I are unlikely to severe conditions.Like the crew aboard first oilskin back in 1877, the first fleece
ever need this particular survival suit the Ericsson’s 4, the team that are currently mid layers in the 1960s, and LIFA, the
good news is that Helly Hansen feeds leading theVolvo Ocean Race and first technical base layer in the 1970s.
42|June-July|OUTSIDER
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