Introduction
After 3 years of work with the École Militaire de Haute Montagne (French Military High Mountain School), our first PPE products are certified!
What makes our HMB EPI® Ecosystem unique is that it is made up of components that can be combined and, depending on the accessories included in the PPE set, you can achieve compliance with several different standards.
It should also be noted that wearing our HMB EPI® Inner Belt is essential for the set to be compliant.
Also, be sure to check with your C3D office or equivalent to confirm that your use does not involve any exceptions requiring certifications other than those indicated for the cases below.
Case 1: I Just Need to Secure Myself When I’m in an Aircraft Cargo Hold.
For this case, we recommend the HMB EPI® Restraint Belt. It is designed to restrain you at height when you are not directly exposed to the hazard.
Note, however, that due to this model’s specific certification, this Restraint Belt cannot be combined with HMB EPI® Ecosystem accessories such as the HMB EPI® Back Support Pad and the HMB EPI® Leg Loop Harness.
Case 2: I Climb or Do Mountaineering, or I’m a Chasseur Alpin (Mountain Infantry) or GCM (Mountain Commando).
The obvious choice is our HMB EPI® Climbing and Mountaineering Sit Harness Set EN12277A1 Type C. In fact, this use is what gave rise to the HMB EPI® Ecosystem.
With this set, you can wear your HMB EPI® Belt like a standard battle belt and add the HMB EPI® Leg Loop Harness whenever you need to cross obstacles, rappel, etc.
Case 3: I’m an Aircrew Member or Door Gunner on an Aircraft and/or a Passenger in a Cargo Hold.
In this case, you need the HMB EPI® Restraint & Work Positioning Belt Set EN358. It consists of the HMB EPI® Inner Belt, the HMB EPI® Restraint and Work Positioning Belt, and the HMB EPI® Back Support Pad.
You can use your HMB EPI® Restraint & Work Positioning Belt as an everyday battle belt and add the removable back support pad as soon as you board the aircraft.
Case 4: I Do Rock Climbing, Work at Height, or Move Along Building Facades, OR My Use Falls Under Several Cases (Except Case 1).
In this last case, you will need the HMB EPI® Safety Harness Set EN813. It consists of the HMB EPI® Inner Belt, the HMB EPI® Restraint & Work Positioning Belt, the HMB EPI® Back Support Pad, and the HMB EPI® Leg Loop Harness.
What makes this set special is that it can be configured in different ways:
- By using the HMB EPI® Inner Belt, the HMB EPI® Restraint & Work Positioning Belt, and the HMB EPI® Back Support Pad, you can use it in the EN358 (aviation) configuration from Case 3.
- By using the HMB EPI® Inner Belt, the HMB EPI® Restraint & Work Positioning Belt, and the HMB EPI® Leg Loop Harness, you can use it in the EN12277A1 Type C (climbing and mountaineering) configuration from Case 2!
There you have it: thanks to this article, you should be able to choose the right PPE for your use as a military member, gendarme, or police officer!
