Rescue Equipment - Becker Sling
Note: 16 October 2007
It is with deep apology that we have had such trouble filling orders
for the last several months. Some of this is due to damage by our
previous shipper which caused delays and unexpected expenses. Our
previous shipper did not honor the damage claims even though insurance was
purchased. We now have an account with pick up service provided by
United Parcel Service, and we are expecting only the best. Tracking
numbers will be faxed or e-mailed to you once those are available.
Again, we are sorry for the extreme delays, and we hope orders will be
filled in a much more timely fashion henceforth.
Respectfully yours, Kathleen
Update: 5 November 2007
So far so good! It seems
that the last few slings shipped out arrived at their destinations with no
damage. That is good news. The extra packing is costing more,
but well worth the effort considering that everything is arriving safely.
Also, it seems that we are now caught up on past orders and we are working
ahead to get more slings in stock for immediate shipment.
I do want to personally thank all
of those persons and agencies that were patient with us during the trying
times. I know frustration was high, on both ends, trying to get the
orders filled and shipped safely. It seems all is well now, and we
looking forward to a very bright future on supplying rescue departments with
slings!!
In other news, Häst, in
cooperation with Tomas and Rebecca Gimenez and New Haven Moving, is
developing a new rescue product. This will be a nylon surcingle designed
primarily for water use. The pads will be filled with a floatation
foam. Horses facilities that utilize swimming pools and on water treadmills
may be particularly interested. Stay tuned as we move through the
process of bring this to market.
All the Best!!
Kathleen
Häst is proud to offer the Large Animal Simple Vertical
Lift, as taught by Drs Tomas and Rebecca Gimenez of Technical Large Animal Emergency
Rescue Incorporated, as either a total kit or individual replacement parts, with the
exception of the crane! (If you need a crane, check the link at the
bottom of this page!) The major components of the kit include: The Support
System, The Slings, and Optional Accessories. It is being sold this way because some
departments may choose to mix and match what equipment they need. Of course, we can
certainly supply all of the parts needed below the hook of the crane to accomplish a
successful lift as shown immediately below.

(Note: The temporary support strap is not shown in this photograph)
Below, the slings of this system are being used on
"Aerial".

(Note: This picture will be updated soon showing the new custom
pads.)
The Support System

Master Oval Link (Part SSMO) - $46
Prusik Loops (Part SSPL) - $16 each
Upper Shackles (Part SSUS) - $24 each
Aluminum Spread Bar (Part SSSB) - $94
Lower Shackles with Release System (Part SSLS) - $36 each
Total Support System (Part SSTK) - $276
The support system is designed to accept the
large loops of the slings and is relatively easy to assemble in a couple of
configurations depending upon the size of the animal being lifted.
Close examination of the photograph above shows the use of quick release
safety pins on the lower shackles. The orange webbing allows for the
rescuers to quickly pull the pins, thus releasing the animal once it is on
the ground. It cannot be accidentally released if the animal is still
in the air.
The Support System underwent load testing in
Elkhart Indiana on 16 November 2004. Four tests were required as the bolts on the testing
machine were failing at loads of 13,000 - 15,000 pounds. Finally, very large
bolts were used and the support system was loaded to its maximum strength. As
predicted, the shackles, oval, and prusiks did not fail. The ultimate
load on the aluminum spread bar was 21,600 pounds at failure. However,
long before the bar failed, it was easily seen that the bar was bending
indicating the high load. We feel that this is a good visual safety
feature. The aluminum bar should easily handle large animals up to
2,000 pounds, giving the system a very high safety factor.
The Slings and Pads

Body Sling (Part SLBD) - $270 each
Chest Sling (36 inches, small, Part SLCH36) - $124
Chest Sling (42 inches, regular, Part SLCH42) - $140
Chest Sling (48 inches, large, Part SLCH48) - $156
Chest Sling (54 inches, XL, Part SLCH54) - $172
Sling "Set" (2 body slings and a
regular chest sling, Part SLTK) - $656

The pads are made of a rugged marine grade vinyl filled
with 2 inches of high density foam. The ends have Velcro closures so
that the foam can be removed if necessary. (Note: These pads are
nice and thick and very comfortable. However, there may be
instances where they need to be removed for a particular rescue. These
instances might include being stuck in heavy mud where there is simply not
be enough room to pass the webbing with the pads underneath the
horse. In these cases, the pads just slip over the webbings so that
they can be easily removed. And while this would be less comfortable
for the horse, it may be the only way to complete the rescue.)
Body Pad (Part PDBD) -
$66 each
Chest Pad - $30 any size (Specify size: small (PDCH36), regular
(PDCH42), large (PDCH48), or XL (PDCH54))
Set of Three Pads (Part PDTK) - $148 (Two body and
one chest)Set of all Three Slings (regular
size chest) complete with
Custom Pads (Part SLTKPD) - $796
Optional Accessories
These parts are listed under this category because, although
you will need them, you may simply want to buy them direct from other sources.
Frankly, after we purchase them at the same price you can, pay for shipping, then mark
them up a couple of dollars for handling, we simply cannot compete on price.
However, if it makes your life simpler, we are more than happy to get these things for you
all in one box.

Store your new sling in this perfect sized rugged
container. Holds everything you will need including the spread bar,
shackles, padding, and slings. Lockable. (Part OACN)
- $148

Large Steel Carabiners, You will need two to attach
the chest sling to the body sling (Part OACB) - $88 (both)
(Optional Source:
www.cmcrescue.com)
Temporary Support, Use this to hold up the front sling
while the chest sling is attached (Part OATS) - $16
(Optional Source: Your Hardware Store.
These parts do not carry load and therefore do not need to be "rated")
Price Summary:
Support System -
$276
Slings with Pads - $796 (Chest size - Regular)
Heavy Duty Container - $148
Large Steel Carabiners - $88
Temporary Support - $16
Add Packing and Shipping on partial orders
($20-60)
Special
"Out the Door" Price when
you order Entire System
If you should decide to order the entire system
listed above (one regular sized chest sling with pad), which will include shipping (standard
ground), the cost will be $1386. (Virginia customers, please add 5%
sales tax which is $69.30 for a total of $1455.30) This represents a savings between
$90-130 verses buying parts separately and adding shipping. (If
priority service is requested, the difference between standard ground and
priority will be added to the total.)
(An estimate was given by the local UPS store of an average shipping cost of
$120. This is due to the large size, and their rate classification
which would bill for up to 90 pounds. The "Out the Door" price fixes
shipping at $80, and we will absorb any additional costs if needed.)
Ratings
When constructing this, or any type of system where load
will be applied, it is vital to consider the ratings of all of the components of the
system. In addition, an extra safety factor is added so that there should never be
system failure. In human rescues, the safety factor is 15:1, meaning a 600 pound
load should have a system rated to 9,000 pounds. While this level of safety is great
to consider, using these factors in animal lifting is often impractical due to the weight
and expense of equipment, so often a reasonable compromise is in order. All of the
components of the system have the ratings listed below. We were considering offering
a steel spread bar, but the tests on the aluminum bar went so well that we have decided to
only offer aluminum due to the light weight and ease of machining and finishing.
Master Oval Link - Maximum Load 15,200 pounds
Prusik Loops (Using the doubled configuration shown) - 18,000
pounds breaking each loop
Shackles - Maximum Working Load 10,000 pounds each
Aluminum Spread Bar - 21,600 pounds breaking (total load equally
divided on both ends)
Body Slings - Nominal 20,000 pounds maximum load
Definitions: "Working load" or "Maximum
Load" is that load which a part can typically sustain safely on a daily basis (with
periodic inspections for damage). "Breaking Strength" is that load which
will cause immediate failure. A part should NEVER have a load which even approaches
the breaking strength!
Shipping
Prices shown do not include shipping from
Virginia to your
facility. These charges will be added to your credit card after the items have been
shipped. (Unless the entire system is purchased. In those cases the shipping
costs have been included in the overall price.) Typical charges will be $10-20 plus
the actual fees from United Parcel Service. Although some
parts can be shipped the next day, others parts (slings) should have an allowance of about
3 weeks from your order to arrival at your door.
Placing Your Order
By far the BEST method to place an order is to
fax it to 540-745-4036. Please include your name, shipping address,
telephone number, the part numbers of the items you want, and your credit
card number with expiration date. We accept Master Card, Visa, and
American Express. If you need alternate arrangements, or have any
questions at all, the best way is to fax your inquiry or send an e-mail to
Häst, PSC.
You may also call us at 540-250-7411, however, cellular telephone service in
the mountains of Virginia has proven unreliable. Please leave a
message if we don't answer right away! (Note: Prices subject to change with little notice.)
Cranes
While cranes from a number of different manufactures can certainly work,
might we suggest checking Hiab. They have offices all over the world,
including the United States, and have an interest in Fire and Rescue
applications.
Click
on the picture to the left for a link to Hiab. Then specify your
country for local offices.
(Please Note: This page and information will continue to be
updated. We feel that Large Animal Rescue is an evolving science. There are
plans to produce a DVD showing the proper use of this sling. Feedback is welcome. All suggestions will be considered.)
This Page:
as of 25 October 2004