r/Firefighting • u/Economy_Strategy_426 • 1d ago
Ask A Firefighter Question about Radio Strap
Hello there folks, I’m a 15yo Explorer and was recently able to pickup a radio strap for free through my program and was just wondering one thing, what is this extra strap/ piece and what does it do, I don’t know what it’s called so I wasn’t able to research it so I turned here for help! (I’m holding it in the picture)
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u/unclemoe168 1d ago
You clip it on a belt loop on your pants so when you bend over the radio doesn't slide around
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u/Altruistic-Cover6016 1d ago
No the straps on top of the radio are so it doesnt slide out. that is so it doesnt swing forward and hit someone in the face.
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u/AnythingButTheTip 1d ago
As others have said. Keep it on the appropriate side for which side you wear your strap to. Then it clips to a belt loop.
Personally, I like to make one out of paracord thats a custom length. However, I replace the belt loop end clasp with a key sized carabiner. Makes it easier to catch the belt loop.
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u/Altruistic-Cover6016 1d ago
Is it really that hard to begin with?
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u/chuckfinley79 27 looooooooooooooong years 19h ago
If you’re in denial and won’t up your pant size it is.
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u/AnythingButTheTip 16h ago
Not entirely; but why make it more difficult if you're already making a custom length anti-sway strap? And some BDU pants have a thick/wide 6 o'clock belt loop.
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u/Altruistic-Cover6016 9h ago
oh we dont get to wear fancy pants. :C Forced to wear shit that the plants tell us to wear since we are the dept for all the plants in our area.
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u/AnythingButTheTip 6h ago
I was thinking of even the wrangler brand at Walmart thats breathable/flexible that has a thicc belt loop. I dont think a biner can close on that fully, but it has a better chance of staying attached.
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u/MrMcFly_1985 1d ago
Hook it to your belt loop so the radio stays close to your body when bending over .
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u/bbmedic3195 20h ago
I mean sure it is definitely clutch on EMS jobs but have you ever had your radio get all jacked up under your coat at a jawb? The anti sway strap is clutch here too. As you progress you will probably, A. Rip a few belt loops when the radio gets stuck in seatbelt, in-between seat etc, B. Replace the anti sway strap when the leather finally gives up the ghost in instances previously detailed in A.
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u/Whatisthisnonsense22 18h ago
Forgot to hook mine one time under my coat. My radio somehow got tangled up inside the coat and around my back and ended up in the butt crack area. The mic cord was stretched, and the head was pulling on the bottom of my hood at my collar.
As we shuffled along a hallway in an extended ranch. Every movement pulled my hood down, and eventually, I couldn't hardly move my head up.
When we got outside and i took off my mask, my hood sprung forward and covered my face.
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u/Spooksnav foyrfiter/ay-ee-em-tee 8h ago
Sway bar. Clip it to your back belt loop. 5.11 Tactical EMS pants have a smaller belt loop for that reason.
Hooked it to the side for demonstration purposes, but I usually hook it on my back belt loop.
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u/JosephStalinMukbang 2.5 on the streets, 1.5 in the sheets 1d ago
Anti-sway strap. Hooks to the back belt loop of your pants so the radio doesn't clock your patient in the face.