Foam for Rescue and Emergency Services Training

Aside from the conventional uses of foam in furniture, mattresses and industrial settings, its versatility gives it many unconventional uses too. It's well known that foam blocks fill foam pits to keep gymnasts, BMX and skateboard stunt riders and trampoline-park visitors safe – but foam also assists with training emergency services personnel.

How foam pits support rescue training

Rescue teams, firefighters and paramedics use foam pits – filled with various foam shapes cut to size – to train for complex rescue operations. The dense yet malleable foam lets crews practise manoeuvring a person in difficult environments and, importantly, how to rescue them safely if they've sustained injuries.

Foam pits let personnel practise the steady removal and movement of a casualty on a rigid spinal board. The foam cubes (or any shape) make crews navigate their own movements carefully for a steady rescue, including coordinating with teammates to maintain balance and keep grip on the patient. Different grades, types and shapes effectively equate to varying levels of difficulty: the denser the foam and the more cubes compacted in a pit, the easier the movement and rescue.

Which foam is used?

The most popular foam for these training pits is high-density polyurethane. This durable, specialist grade better resists damage from the objects it meets during a practice rescue – hard shoes, the plastic and metal of a spinal board, and equipment such as ropes, chains and carabiners that may be pushed into the foam with force. Its firmer feel offers a reasonable yet challenging level of control, and that density also better protects rescue equipment from unnecessary damage during trial rescue scenarios.

Varying the difficulty

For teams needing a tougher environment, there are two options. First, smaller foam cubes create a more uneven, unbalanced surface, increasing the difficulty of navigation and balance. Alternatively, lower-density foam makes the footing far more malleable and unsteady. However, lower-density foam may not resist wear and tear as well, so it's worth considering the potential damage from the type and range of equipment used during practice.

At eFoam, we're experts in foam for commercial, personal and industrial use, including the medical sector – see our guide to medical uses of foam. For more on foam grades, types and shapes, please contact one of our friendly representatives.

Frequently asked questions

Why is foam used in rescue training?

Foam pits let rescue teams, firefighters and paramedics practise manoeuvring a casualty in difficult environments, and how to remove and move them safely on a rigid spinal board, including coordinating movements with teammates to keep balance and grip.

What foam is used in rescue-training pits?

High-density polyurethane is most popular. Its durability resists damage from hard shoes, the plastic and metal of a spinal board, and equipment like ropes, chains and carabiners, while its firmer feel gives a challenging but controllable surface.

How can rescue training be made more difficult?

Two ways: use smaller foam cubes for a more uneven, unbalanced surface, or use lower-density foam for a more malleable, unsteady footing. Lower-density foam wears faster, so consider the equipment in use and its potential to damage the foam.