An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir February 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 26 | I n november 2017, PRotAC launched their latest se- ries of tactical equipment the R-Bag range. PRotAC is an Irish owned, design and manufacturer of bespoke tactical equipment since 1987. they have produced belts, pouches, map cases and webbing kits that many Defence Forces personnel have used over the last few decades. The R'Bag range combines a backpack with a stretcher, shelter (bivi) or range shooting mat. The stretcher was designed by Eileen Curtis and her husband Seán a Defence Forces veteran. Eileen told me the stretcher was originally designed for combat medics and was approved for service by the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD), where it is currently in service. Speaking about the now world registered patent design concept, Eileen said, "I like the idea that these bags could save someone's life." The bags were tested by Tier-1 operators, who helped develop the R-bag range, the stretcher bag is now in ser- vice in a number of specialist military and police units in Europe. The Shelt-R'Bag was then developed on from the Stretch-R'Bag. At their launch in the Green Isle Hotel in South Dublin, Sean said, "This is the best piece of equipment we have designed in 20-years in the business." The R'Bag range was on show to members of An Garda Síochána, Civil Defence, Dublin Fire Brigade and Ambulance Service who viewed the range before they went global at Europe's largest military and police equipment show – Milipol 2017 in Paris. Milipol 2017 had 1,005 exhibitors from 53 countries, and 29,939 visi- tors from 151 countries, who would be mainly government procurement officials, who go to view the 'best of the best' and latest equipment for their respected military, police and specialist units including Special Operations Forces (SOF) (www.en.milipol.com). Speaking about the Shelt-R'Bag Sean said, "This system would allow a section to take their equipment into an APC or helo without having to take their large backpacks." With the add-ons, you can equip with side pouches and attached specialist equipment to the MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) system on the front. Sean added, "You can get a lot of kit into these bags. The R'Bag contains an inner bag with straps that allows you to remove the outer bag to make the stretcher or shelter etc." Sean said the R'Bag range is being received very well not only in the military/police sector but within scouting, mountaineering, mountain rescue, Red Cross, Civil Defence By Sgt WAynE FItzgERAlD PhotoS By Sgt MICK BURKE AnD PRotAC irisH invenTion COULD SAVE LIVES Eileen and Sean Curtis with their daughter Netanya Curtis-Douglas at the launch.

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