BlastSax sandless sandbags set to be one of the stars of the show at Security and Policing 2025

The BlastSax sandless sandbag designed to help mitigate improvised explosive devices will be one of the highlights at the Security and Policing Show 2025.

The massive event is being staged in Farnborough in the middle of March and will feature more than 430 companies and government organisations showcasing the very latest equipment and technology to protect the UK from threats both at home and overseas.

The BlastSax alternative sandbag, which will be on the Counter Threat Pavilion, has already been used by armed forces and specialist police squads worldwide and the show will see the official launch of its latest version, the Mark V.

Speed and rapid deployment is vital when dealing with terrorist threats and the BlastSax has been designed to be taken quickly to the scene.

They are packed heat-sealed for space-saving storage so one box of 14 (2 packs of 7 BlastSax) can be easily carried by one person and hundreds will fit into the back of a rapid response vehicle, even something as small as an estate car.

Once at the scene, simply immerse the BlastSax fully in water which the BlastSax’s gelling polymer absorbs and retains, transforming it into an instant sandless sandbag in around five minutes.

Richard Nikolic from BlastSax said: “Our latest version of the BlastSax has just undergone some tough independent tests and proved once again they are far more effective than traditional sandbags, not only mitigating the force of an explosion from an IED but the gelling polymer inside the BlastSax will also retain debris from the IED which could be crucial for forensic examiners.

“There’s some amazing video footage of this on the BlastSax website.”

BlastSax can be used with aqueous decontaminants to neutralise chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats.

They are ideal for conventional demolition, minefield clearance, combat engineering, personnel protection when preparing detonators, IED applications, pipe bombs, CBRN tasks, blast protection in sensitive locations where collateral damage is unacceptable and to prevent flooding.  

BlastSax were devised and manufactured by Environmental Defence Systems Ltd (EDS) based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

EDS is part of the Counter EO Group and its members are companies that counter the threat from explosive ordnance, including IEDs.

The Security and Policing show is being staged at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre from Tuesday, March 11 to Thursday, March 13.

The show features border and maritime security, CCTV, biometrics, facial recognition, cyber security, counter explosive ordnance, explosives and blast protection, drones, forensic services, emergency response … and lots more.

Its website is https://www.securityandpolicing.co.uk