Pneumatic lifting bags from Vetter and composite stabilisation struts from Rescue42 — complete systems for vehicle extrication, structural rescue and industrial lifting.
Vetter GmbH of Germany has been manufacturing pneumatic rescue equipment for over 40 years. Their lifting bag range is the most comprehensive in the world — covering every rescue scenario from a 1-tonne mini bag carried in a jacket pocket to a 71-tonne high-pressure bag capable of lifting a fully loaded rail car. All bags share common pneumatic fittings, operate from standard compressed air cylinders, and are controlled through the Vetter twin-valve or deadman (pressure guard) controller.
In the UAE, GCC and across Africa, Vetter lifting bags are in active service with civil defence authorities, airport crash fire rescue teams, oil and gas emergency response units and municipal fire brigades. Their spark-free pneumatic operation makes them the standard choice wherever hydraulic tools pose an ignition risk — at fuel spill incidents, petrochemical facilities, LPG terminals and airport runways. Fire and Rescue Tech is the authorised distributor for the complete Vetter range across the Middle East and Africa.
The key to effective rescue lifting is matching the correct bag series to the scenario. Insertion gap, required lift height, load capacity and surface type all influence the selection. The overview below covers each series in the Vetter range, with direct links to the dedicated specification page for each series.
| Series | Min. Insertion Gap | Capacity Range | Pressure | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra-Thin | 12 mm | 5T – 20T | 8 bar | Near-zero clearance — first tool when no other bag fits |
| Ultra Flat (UF) | 16 mm | 1T – 10T | 8 bar | Tightest-access first tool — most common restricted-gap scenario |
| Mini Bags | ~20 mm | 1T – 68T | 8 bar | Narrow rectangular gaps — wide capacity range in compact form |
| S-TEC (Super-TEC) | ~25 mm | 5T – 71T | 12 bar | Flat, wide profile — maximum contact area under flat loads |
| C-TEC (Cubic-TEC) | ~25 mm | 5T – 71T | 12 bar | Greater lift height from smaller footprint — composite outer shell |
| 1-Bar | ~20 mm | 1T – 6T | 1 bar | Large-area low-pressure lift — fragile loads, USAR debris |
| Wedge Bags | ~15 mm | 6T | 1 bar | Bus/coach rescue and door/hatch forcing — tapered profile |
The S-TEC (Super-TEC) and C-TEC (Cubic-TEC) are the flagship Vetter high-pressure lifting bags — both rated at 12 bar, both available from 5 tonnes to 71 tonnes, and both EN 13204 certified. The key difference is shape and material. S-TEC bags are flat and wide, designed to maximise the contact area under large flat loads such as vehicle underbodies, concrete slabs and industrial equipment bases. C-TEC bags have a cubic profile — they inflate taller relative to their footprint, which is useful when the rescuer needs significant lift height from a compact bag. The C-TEC outer shell incorporates an abrasion-resistant composite layer, making it 15–20% lighter than the equivalent S-TEC bag and more resistant to surface damage.
| Rescue Scenario | Recommended Series | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle extrication — standard clearance | S-TEC or C-TEC | High capacity, wide lift area, fast inflation |
| Vehicle extrication — very low clearance | Ultra Flat or Ultra-Thin | 16mm or 12mm insertion profile |
| Building collapse — USAR | 1-Bar or Ultra-Thin | Large area low-pressure for debris, or slim profile for tight voids |
| Industrial lifting — machinery recovery | S-TEC large models (47T–71T) | High tonnage capacity for heavy plant |
| Rail accident — train re-railing | S-TEC or C-TEC | High capacity — supplemented with LUKAS re-railing equipment |
| Aircraft rescue — door forcing | Wedge Bags or Mini | Spark-free, compact, fits aircraft frame geometry |
| Confined space — narrow access | Mini Bags | Rectangular profile fits deep into narrow openings |
| Oil and gas — plant recovery | Any Vetter series | Pneumatic = spark-free; no hydraulic fluid contamination risk |
Every Vetter lifting bag is tested and certified to EN 13204, the European standard for rescue lifting bags used by professional rescue services. EN 13204 specifies performance requirements for lifting force, pressure holding, deformation and failure modes. All bags are CE marked and carry individual production test certification. The Vetter range operates across two pressure levels:
We supply Vetter bags, controllers and Rescue42 struts as complete systems. Contact us with your scenario and we will specify the right equipment.
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