Crossword Genius

Left RAF; I collapse on emergency support (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

life raft

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'emergency support' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'left raf i collapse' is the wordplay.
'collapse' indicates anagramming the letters.
'left'+'raf'+'i'='leftrafi'
'leftrafi' with letters rearranged gives 'LIFE-RAFT'.

'on' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for life raft that I've seen before include "Inflatable emergency craft" , "Rescue vessel" , "emergency transport" , "Flat float for emergency at sea" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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