<p>For over 35 years, Lifesaving Systems has been an innovator and leader in the world of maritime rescue and survival equipment. Founder Sam Maness invented the first emergency escape breathing device for helicopter crews, the first flotation kit for rescue litters, the first collapsible litters, and the only collapsible steel rescue basket.</p> <br> <p>Our auto-locking D-Lok rescue hook has been installed on thousands of helicopters, and our inflatable life vests are being worn by tens of thousands of military boat crews and aviators around the world. </p> <br> <p>Since 1980 we have designed and manufactured the equipment helicopter and maritime rescue teams use to save lives in some of the harshest conditions imaginable. From rescue hooks to personnel harnesses, titanium ladders to rescue litters, from the strobe lights that the lost use to signal for help to the rescue strops that pull them to safety, we make the gear rescuers need to do their jobs and to do them as safely as possible. </p> <br> <p>Every hour of every day our equipment is out there somewhere on or over the oceans. We know the importance of what we are making. We know how and where it will be used. We know that it absolutely cannot fail when it’s needed. We make it easy to use, easy to maintain, and as tough and strong as the rescuers who take it with them to save lives. </p>