First Aid cards in Harsh Outdoor Conditions:
How NLO’s Action-cards® Proved Their Strength
How durable are Action-cards®, really?
Action-cards® have faced more than six years of saltwater, heat, and sand—and endured.
A partnership built on practice
In 2018, NLO, a Nordic organization specializing in lifeguarding and rescue operations, introduced Action-cards® into its routines. These weren’t tucked away in classrooms or offices. They were out in the open, in lifeguard huts, on beaches, and in the hands of lifeguards working against sand and saltwater and the wind, rain, and heat.
Each of their 40 sets contained 19 cards, with each set connected by three metal rings. That’s 760 cards and 120 rings in total.
NLO needed durable first aid tools that could withstand the elements but still be accessible. Action-cards® delivered.
More than six years later…
When we visited NLO recently for their first-ever maintenance session, we expected to find some wear and tear. After all, these first aid cards had survived harsh conditions for six years in one of Denmark’s most demanding environments: salt spray corroding metal, sand abrading surfaces, UV rays bleaching text, and temperatures fluctuating from winter freezes to summer heat.
The verdict?
– Only 9 cards needed to be replaced.
– Only 15 rings were corroded enough necessitating a swap.
That’s it. Everything else, including the structure, text, and usability, remained fully intact.
The cards had been through it all: splashes of seawater, sunscreen-stained fingers, hurried flips during real rescue missions and emergency drills. Yet, they still did their job, guiding quick, clear, confident action when it mattered most.
Tools that earn their place
Of course, this visit wasn’t just about maintenance. It was also a moment of renewal. NLO took the opportunity to refresh their knowledge, add new cards, and update existing ones, building on what had lasted.
Durability, in that sense, isn’t just about materials. It’s about the longevity of learning. It’s about tools that evolve alongside the people who use them.
For organizations scoping out effective emergency reference materials, the message is that durability equals trust. When seconds matter, a responder needs a tool that they can grab without hesitation. They need tools that won’t fail because they’ve been sitting in a humid cabinet, exposed to spray, placed on a shelf among other folders or as an app on a phone among 100 other apps.
Safety, EHS and HSE managers looking to buff up emergency preparedness can learn from NLO’s experience here. Even in environments as demanding as coastal rescue, the right tools endure.
Six years on, those same proven Action-cards® are heading back into the field—slightly updated, still sturdy, and ready for more years of reliable service.
Bonus Tip
Are you responsible for safety at your workplace? Or do you simply believe that safety is important for you, your employees, your customers – or perhaps for those you care for in a nursing home or kindergarten?
Then watch this video to see how to use Action-cards®:
To us, “durable” means thriving in the real world.
It’s about enduring sun, surf, and daily hands-on use. We want to be there when and however you need us—whether in coastal rescue or as part of a first aid kit for hurricane readiness.
Contact us to learn how Action-cards® can strengthen your organization’s preparedness and resilience, or purchase Action-cards® tailored to your industry directly from our webshop: