RescueBag PRO or MEDICAL — which variant suits your organisation?
The RescueBag S-2-S comes in three variants: PRO, LIGHT and MEDICAL. This article compares the PRO and the MEDICAL. Both are built on the same S-2-S slide principle, but material and deployment context differ. This article explains when to choose which, and why the decision is about more than a sector label.
What both variants have in common
The core system is identical. Both variants use the Slide-to-Save (S-2-S) system: the non-ambulatory person is placed inside the bag and moved by two responders across the floor or down stairs using the low-friction underside. No lifting, no chair, no rail.
On the PRO, the materials of the green outer shell (the person-contact surface) have tested properties in accordance with EN 531 Code A, B1, C1 and an afterburn duration of 0 seconds (EN 532). The black slide material on the underside is tested to 150°C continuous and 170°C peak. These are material properties confirmed by retter.ch GmbH, not product certifications.
S-2-S PRO specifications:
- Shell temperature range: −50 to 300°C continuous · 500°C peak
- Operation: 2 responders
- Deploy time: 30 seconds
- Rolled dimensions: Ø 26 cm · 5.8 kg
- Manufacturer: retter.ch GmbH, Gränichen, Switzerland
RescueBag S-2-S PRO — for extreme deployment conditions
The S-2-S PRO is built for deployment in and directly around fire sources, enclosed spaces under thermal load, high-angle rescue and CASEVAC scenarios in defence contexts. The construction is sturdy and handles mechanical loading, high abrasion forces and brief direct flame exposure.
The S-2-S PRO is the right choice for:
- Fire brigade — evacuation of unconscious persons via burning escape routes, stairwells or confined spaces
- Defence / CASEVAC — movement of unconscious or non-ambulatory persons across difficult terrain
- Emergency services — deployment in temperature-loaded or smoke-contaminated environments
- High-angle rescue — horizontal or vertical movement along structures
RescueBag S-2-S MEDICAL — for buildings and facility services
The S-2-S MEDICAL shares the slide principle of the S-2-S PRO, but has a fluid-resistant, cleanable surface and is set up for deployment by staff without fire brigade equipment. It weighs 6.6 kg and measures Ø 26 × 72 cm rolled. It is intended for buildings, facility services and environments where cleaning after use is required.
The S-2-S MEDICAL is the right choice for:
- ERT teams — rapid evacuation via emergency stairwells during building incidents without fire brigade intervention
- Facilities management — evacuation of non-ambulatory persons by the ERT team, with cleaning after use
- Facilities management — standard emergency equipment for multi-storey and low-rise buildings
- Industrial ERT — warehouses, factories, plant rooms without extreme heat exposure
Comparison: PRO vs. MEDICAL
| Property | PRO MEDICAL||
|---|---|---|
| S-2-S slide system | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fluid-resistant and cleanable | — | ✓ |
| Heat-resistant shell (300°C) | ✓ | — |
| Deployable in burning environment | ✓ | Not primary design |
| Suitable without fire brigade PPE | PPE recommended | ✓ |
| Staircase deployment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Number of operators | 2 | 2 |
| Weight | 5.8 kg | 6.6 kg |
| Primary target group | Fire brigade · Defence · Emergency services | ERT · Facilities · Buildings |
Which variant do you choose?
In most cases the choice is straightforward. If your team uses personal protective equipment at fire brigade level and faces scenarios where the environment itself is on fire or under thermal load, choose the PRO. If your team operates without that equipment and the need is building evacuation, facility deployment or industrial ERT, choose the MEDICAL.
Some organisations run both. The fire brigade or response unit holds PRO units, while the ERT team on the same site uses the MEDICAL. Operation is the same, since the S-2-S principle is identical across variants.
Want advice on the right variant for your organisation? Send your deployment profile — sector, location, number of units and building type — and we will advise on the configuration that fits.