Singapore-made Boots
-
Saved the leg of man clearing mines.
These boots were made for surviving landmines
By David Boey
AN INDIAN national is still alive to help clear fields of mines and do it on his own legs too because of a pair of Singapore-made boots.
The steel and aluminium sole saved a man's leg - and life when he stepped on a mine in Sri Lanka.
Mr Partha Sarathy was wearing the boots, which are made of the same material as bulletproof vests and have a steel and aluminium sole and heel, when he accidentally detonated a landmine while on a mission to remove mines in Sri Lanka in August.
The former Indian Army soldier in his late 40s had lifted a Pakistan-made mine from the ground and was taking it away to be disposed of when he slipped and dropped it. His foot landed smack on the device, which exploded.
When the smoke cleared, his colleagues were surprised to find him still alive, though stunned. His right ankle was dislocated and his right leg was broken.
The boot on that foot was shattered.
He and 30 others were probing for anti-personnel mines in a field when the incident occurred on Aug 5.
A spokesman for Horizon, a non-profit organisation which is carrying out the clearance operation, said Mr Sarathy is the first of its staff to be hurt on the Sri Lanka job, where they have removed 2,500 mines.
The mission in the island country, which has been involved in a civil war for many years now, is supervised by the United Nations and sponsored by Norway.
Mr F.K. Lee, chief executive officer of BfR Holdings, the Singapore company which makes the boots, said Mr Sarathy's grateful colleagues sent a thank-you note to the company and a picture of what was left of the boot that saved his life and leg.
The boots, which look and weigh the same as regular army ones, were invented by Singaporean Andrew Vaz, who used to work for the Defence Ministry.
He was inspired to come up with the boots after seeing the injuries caused by landmines while on a business trip to Cambodia.
Mr Lee declined to name his customers, citing non-disclosure agreements, but said 'more than half a dozen' armed forces in Europe, South-east Asia and the Middle East have bought 'a substantial number'.
The Indian Army and Sri Lankan Army have also looked at the Blast and Fragment Resistant boots after learning how they saved Mr Sarathy, he added.
'My initial reaction on hearing the good news was one of satisfaction in knowing we saved someone's leg from amputation,' he said. -
Where can I get a pair?
-
I wonder if our SCE and pioneer guys clearing mines get these new boots? Btw do these new boots have any use for the EOD guys?
-
the boot has alot of layers of protection siah...
as thick as a high heel but have steel and metal protection beneath the soles... -
seems like the boots only protect from light antipersonnel mines..if it was a heavier military grade mine i don't suppose we'd have that article here anymore
-
hmm some protection is better than none..
-
this's the boots that saved the man's life.
-
Looks like combat boots leh
-
it is what,just got added protection and costs more i think..
-
http://www.bfrboots.com/english/html/bfr_boots.htmlOriginally posted by Cpl Ho:Where can I get a pair?
Southpark
The Dude -
Del dlb post
-
my current SAF boots looks like this but the sole is thinner.Originally posted by Gordonator:this's the boots that saved the man's life.
-
Look at the soles carefully... It's different... I think that's the key...Originally posted by 01024G:Looks like combat boots leh -
Eh... can teach me how to insert image? I not very IT savvy leh... and how to insert image below my name...Originally posted by Gordonator:this's the boots that saved the man's life.
Thanx... -
US$298 is for export to foreigners only? NSmen got no discount ah?Originally posted by SibeiSuayKia:the boot has alot of layers of protection siah...
as thick as a high heel but have steel and metal protection beneath the soles...
Can buy thru emart and pay with SAF credit or not?
actually all our boots have metal in the soles, the older versions have 2 strips inserted between the soles but of course now that I have seen the new boot I think the old one cannot protect much.
But I have ever shot my own foot before point-blank-range with blanks of course.
I was in ROC after ex very tired using my M16, pointed the muzzle to my boot using the butt to rest my arm but dunno hw cme my finger got into trigger guard and squeeze then got a SHOCK but alright leh toes still can move, the boot just tiny scratch, still using even today ...
folks dun shooting yur foot with your M16. I dun guarntee u anything. -
No shit... Live rounds?Originally posted by arburthen?:I was in ROC after ex very tired using my M16, pointed the muzzle to my boot using the butt to rest my arm but dunno hw cme my finger got into trigger guard and squeeze then got a SHOCK but alright leh toes still can move, the boot just tiny scratch, still using even today ...
-
No lah, only blanks ... but I think quite gd already....Originally posted by Cpl Ho:No s hit... Live rounds?
If I not mistaken several yrs ago in the 80's was a report that a nsman kill/injured a kid when he just wanted to show off and squeezed off a few blank rounds at quite close range. -
Sure or not... I thought blanks just expel some gas that's all... I ever fired MG blanks at 'aggressors' at point-blank range before... seems alright leh... injured mayb, but killed? dun think so rite...Originally posted by arburthen?:No lah, only blanks ... but I think quite gd already....
If I not mistaken several yrs ago in the 80's was a report that a nsman kill/injured a kid when he just wanted to show off and squeezed off a few blank rounds at quite close range.
Anyway, can anyone answer my earlier question?? How to insert pics? Thanks... -
the soldier was in a HDB area(a time where NSman still allowed carry weapons into these areas) surrounded by kids either pestering him or in awe of the M16 he was carrying. So to impress them he squeezed off a few.Originally posted by Cpl Ho:Sure or not... I thought blanks just expel some gas that's all... I ever fired MG blanks at 'aggressors' at point-blank range before... seems alright leh... injured mayb, but killed? dun think so rite...
Anyway, can anyone answer my earlier question?? How to insert pics? Thanks...
Can't remember if it was reported that the M16 had a blank attachment on or not but according to findings fragments from the "blank" hit 1 of the kids.
And this was reported by straits times. If you are doubtful why don't you ask them.
Or maybe you want to try firing your GPMG at yourself without any blank-attachments then let us if its alright. -
Hey, chill... If you say it's true, then it's true loh... No big deal to me...Originally posted by arburthen?:the soldier was in a HDB area(a time where NSman still allowed carry weapons into these areas) surrounded by kids either pestering him or in awe of the M16 he was carrying. So to impress them he squeezed off a few.
Can't remember if it was reported that the M16 had a blank attachment on or not but according to findings fragments from the "blank" hit 1 of the kids.
And this was reported by straits times. If you are doubtful why don't you ask them.
Or maybe you want to try firing your GPMG at yourself without any blank-attachments then let us if its alright.