The Swedish Sea Rescue Society is involved in around 90 per cent of all sea rescue operations in Sweden. At the same time, it operates entirely without government funding and relies on voluntary efforts and support from civil society, individuals and businesses. For many people, the fact that the organisation is run entirely on a voluntary basis is one of the most surprising aspects of its work.
Anton Kock has been a sea rescuer for nearly 20 years and has also been responsible for equipment at the Swedish Sea Rescue Society for the past 13 years. Many of his colleagues have full-time jobs alongside their rescue work, yet still choose to make sea rescue a major part of their lives. According to Anton, they are united by a desire to make a difference and serve a greater purpose – something he sees as a powerful driving force throughout the organisation.
When the odds are against you
No two rescue operations are alike. Conditions can change rapidly, and when lives are at stake, sea rescuers are racing against the clock. Darkness, bad weather, cold, wind and rough seas all make the task more difficult, meaning a search can last considerably longer than hoped. As Anton puts it, quite literally, a lot can be working against you.
His role as equipment manager is therefore largely about influencing what can actually be controlled – before the alarm sounds. Good boats, reliable equipment and extensive training all work together to give sea rescuers the best possible conditions when they head out on a mission.
When time is critical, things that might otherwise seem like minor problems can quickly become significant. A sea rescuer who is cold or wet loses both strength and focus. A torch, pair of binoculars or other essential piece of equipment that fails creates yet another obstacle in a situation where lives may be at stake. Everything that can be prepared and checked in advance must be ready to work – allowing the rescuer to concentrate on what cannot wait.
The life jacket that made all the difference
Over his 20 years as a sea rescuer, Anton has taken part in numerous rescue operations. One involved two young men whose personal watercraft got into trouble and sank. They managed to swim to shore among small rocky islands, but had become severely hypothermic. The rescue teams searched a large area where the surroundings looked very similar, making it difficult to determine the men's exact location. They knew the men were somewhere in the area – but not precisely where.
During the search, the emergency call was connected so that Anton could communicate with the men in real time. He remembers hearing one of them say to the other:
“Don't fall asleep. Don't fall asleep. Stay awake!”
The search had been going on for nearly an hour without the rescuers managing to locate the men. Then, suddenly, the men in distress spotted the flashing blue lights on the rescue boat. Help was close – even though the rescuers still couldn't see them. Against a backdrop of pine trees and vegetation, a person can be extremely difficult to spot, even when some daylight remains.
Then an important detail emerged. One of the men was wearing a fluorescent yellow life jacket. The rescue team asked him to take it off and wave it in the air with all his strength. Its bright colour proved decisive – eventually, the sea rescuers spotted them.
When the men were found, one had a body temperature of just 29°C. He was severely hypothermic. Anton is convinced that the fluorescent yellow life jacket was crucial to finding them. Without it, he believes at least one of the men might not be alive today.
When the body stops cooperating
Cold can quickly affect the body's ability to function. Out of the water, body temperature generally drops gradually, but immersion in cold water accelerates the process considerably and the situation can quickly become serious. Before long, the body starts to lose its ability to function normally. Fine motor skills deteriorate, hands become harder to use, and tasks that are normally simple can suddenly become extremely difficult.
For sea rescuers, clothing and equipment are therefore about much more than comfort. They help the body maintain its ability to function for longer – giving the rescuer more time to focus on the rescue itself.
Every detail matters
To perform in the varied and demanding situations they encounter, sea rescuers need equipment that meets exceptionally high standards. The Swedish Sea Rescue Society has carefully developed guidelines specifying what should be used in different situations – from drysuits and life jackets to shell garments, coveralls and various clothing layers. What they wear is their protection against the elements, and it must perform when it matters most.
That attention to detail extends to every aspect of the equipment. Nothing is left to chance. Placement, design and functionality are all carefully considered based on the situations sea rescuers actually face. Reflective details, pockets, radio holders and other features are positioned according to how they need to be used. Fit is equally important. The equipment must work for both women and men, across different body types and sizes.
Everything has a purpose. The aim is to give sea rescuers the best possible conditions to focus fully on their mission – even when circumstances are at their most challenging.
Confidence comes from preparation
But equipment is not everything. Drills, training and education are also essential to building confidence before the next alarm sounds. As a sea rescuer, you never know exactly what lies ahead, but confidence comes from knowing that everything that can be prepared has been taken care of. It means practising and training, preparing mentally, having the right equipment, and being able to rely on the boats, colleagues and systems around you.
One difficult aspect of the job is that not every rescue operation ends as hoped. In those moments, support from colleagues is vital, as is access to counselling and emotional support after difficult experiences.
There is no way of knowing what the next alarm will bring. But you can have confidence in knowing that everything within your control has been taken care of in advance – helping create the best possible conditions for dealing with whatever lies ahead.
Prepared for the unexpected
When Anton is asked what advice he would give to someone heading out on the water, he is quick to point out that there is no single answer that suits everyone.
“Surfing on the west coast of Sweden, sport fishing on Lake Vättern or crossing the Atlantic in a sailboat all involve very different risks and require different preparations. The important thing is to create the right conditions for what you are actually going to do – and to be aware that things can happen and go wrong.”
However, according to Anton, there are three simple things that can make a real difference:
Always wear a life jacket. Keep your phone protected and close at hand so you can call for help if something happens. And let someone know where you are going and how long you expect to be away.
You cannot plan for the unexpected. But you can prepare for the possibility that it might happen.
Support sea rescue in Sweden
The Swedish Sea Rescue Society relies on people who choose to contribute. Support its work by becoming a member, or read more here about becoming a volunteer sea rescuer.