After publishing a brief tutorial on the use of a throw bag in water rescue emergencies the folks at “The Personal Retriever” felt that they had a better product. Their device boasts buoyancy, and range over traditional rescue devices. Standing behind their statements a retriever was shipped to us for evaluation. So far we have had this product for about four weeks, and we have put it into a lot of different people’s hands.
We have allowed civilians with no rescue experience to try it out.
We showed it to a fire department that is currently expanding its water rescue capabilities.
We have given it to the local Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla. Their members actually facilitated a live rescue with the device
We have also showed the tools to representatives from the regional dive rescue team.
All of these groups were very happy to participate in the review, and they all offered some unique insights and observations of the product

The first glimpse:
When we first open the box there was almost a universally positive reaction. The hard foam construction appears resilient, and ready for work. Everyone appreciated the buoyancy, and the idea of throwing a floatation device is always looked at as a positive thing.
After an initial look at the device none of our subjects could intuitively deploy it. The spiral wound chord, and the black retention strap are easy to use once taught, but with out instruction everyone had difficulty figuring it out.
Training:
In spite of this initial hurdle use of the devise is very easy to teach. Taking about 5 minutes you can show anyone how to unravel the line, and throw it out to a victim. Once trained virtually any student can quickly turn around and train others in the device’s use. With only 10-15 minutes of hands on time you can easily train an entire team to use the rescue retriever. This device would be great in a patrol car, or a life guard station, but it might not be the best tool for public use. We'll have to do some more thinking about that one
The Rescue:
During the evaluation period I gave the retriever to a group who were conducting a shake down cruse of a new boat. While putting around the lake they came across a sail boat that had capsized. After nearly 30 minutes in the 60 degree water the sole occupant was exhausted, and incapable of writing his vessel. Due to the victim’s condition our crew opted to throw him the rescue retriever. They quickly tossed the disk over his head, and expertly landed the rope in between his arms (Not bad for 10 minutes of training, and a few practice throws on shore). The victim grabbed the rope, and held on for deer life. The crew began to pull in the line, but the victim never took advantage of the flotation provided by the disk. Unfortunately in spite of instructions from the crew the victim never let the line go, and never took advantage of the flotation provided by the retriever, and the thin line caused some limited rope burns on his hands.
Reflection:
The Rescue retriever is a very unique rescue device. With its integrated tether, and Frisbee styled floatation device it certainly does turn heads. With those thoughts in mind our reviewers came away from the device with some universal thoughts and concerns.
The device gets wound specifically for Left, or Right handed rescuers. Since we never know who will be on crew, or which crew member will grab the Retriever we were not confident that the device would deploy properly under stressful situations.
The fact that our victim would not allow the rope to be pulled through limited the usefulness of the flotation component of the Retriever.
The cost of this device is limiting. After playing with it none of the individuals who tested the device felt that it was superior enough to justify the retail price of $139.00.
Here is an excellent video showing the strengths of the retriever
All in all this is an excellent device, and would be a great addition to a water front rescue response kit
Click below to see what the company felt about their product, and our review.