GB2487738A

GB2487738A - An inflatable life saving grabbing device

Info

Publication number: GB2487738A
Application number: GB1101727.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yuan-Chun Lin; Tan-Chi Chao; Hawys Eleri Tomos
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-02-01
Filing date: 2011-02-01
Publication date: 2012-08-08
Also published as: GB201101727D0

Abstract

An inflatable grabbing device for life saving in water is disclosed, which can be deployed quickly and easily using compressed gas. The device comprises an inflatable structure that, when initially inflated, has two arms that may be kept in a straight condition by a string (a, Fig 5). The arms have at least one inflatable hinge that along with the pressure within the inflatable structure, when no longer constrained by the string, cause the arms to bend or wrap inwards to hold a body or object. The hinge or hinges may be two dimensional in the form of a U-shaped, triangular or rectangular cut, or may be three dimensional. The device may be inflated with oxygen and may further be provided with a breathing mask attached to the inflatable structure to allow oxygen to be administered to a casualty during or after rescue.

Description

OBUOY' -A Water Rescue Device.

Background

This invention relates to an inflatable water rescue device.

When people get into difficulty in water, they can lose energy quickly. By the time help arrives they can be weak or unconscious, which means they are unable to hold on to a floatation device on their own. This can lead to the casualty drowning. For example, the casualty could have beer thrown a life-ring from the shore, however, without energy to hold on to the ring, the casualty can still drown before further help arrives.

Or, the casualty could have been handed a torpedo buoy by a rescuer in the water. If the casualty is unable to hold on, the rescuer will need to support the casualty in order to keep the casualty's head above the water. This results in the rescuer losing the use of their arms. Without full use of their arms to swim to safety, the rescue is slower than if they could swim unhindered.

If the casualty is unable to hold on, it makes it extremely difficult for one rescuer to help more than one casualty at a time. In multiple-casualty situations, this could result in only one casualty being assisted, which could result in multiple-drownings.

When people get into difficulty in water, they can panic. They become oxygen deprived, which escalates their state of panic, and causes them to not think logically. Panicking drownirg people have been known to grab hold of and drown a potential rescuer in an effort to keep their own heads above the water. This can lead to the death of both casualty and rescuer.

If the casualty has stopped breathing, it is almost impossible to provide resuscitation on water using conventional equipment, as there is no independent support to help the rescuer. The rescuer usually needs both hands to support the casualty on to a floatation device, and both legs to kick to keep afloat. To provide resuscitation on water they need at least one free hand to shut the casualty's mouth to provide mouth-to-nose resuscitation, but they also need to support the casualty to keep their head above the water. Not being able to provide resuscitation immediately could result in the death of the casualty.

After someone has been in a drowning situation, they may require resuscitation. During mouth-to-mouth resuscitation the casualty's lungs are expanded with an increased air pressure than they normally endure. This compresses the capillaries surrounding the alveoli, which is turn decreases the blood flow so that there is less oxygen entering the blood stream compared with normal breathing.

Supplementary oxygen administered via a facemask compensates for this by increasing the concentration of oxygen in the air to 40%-5O% compared to 16% through conventional mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. However, supplementary oxygen is not always readily at hand after a water rescue, and this can lead to the body being oxygen deprived for too long a period, and ultimately, the death of the casualty.

Statement of Invention

To overcome these issues, the present invention proposes an inflatable rescue device) which can be deployed quickly and easily using compressed gas. The inflated device wraps tightly around the casualty, no matter their size or shape, due to the innovative shape of its structure. We have developed an inflatable hinge' which allows the inflatable structure to bend / wrap inwards. The device provides buoyancy to keep the casualty afloat. The compressed gas could be oxygen, which can be administered to the casualty after rescue. A mask can be connected to the inflatable chamber for this purpose.

Advantages The device wrapping around the casualty, will securely hold them and keep them afloat. It fits various body sizes and shapes due to the innovative structure. It will keep the casualty's head above the water surface even if they are unconscious. It does not require the casualty to hold on, as the rescue device grabs' them. This will keep the casualty from drowning even if they are weak or unconscious.

It is especially advantageous when further help to extract the casualty from the water might be a prolonged period of time in arriving. During which time, the casualty may have otherwise lost consciousness and drowned, but in this case the casualty may lose consciousness but will not drown as they are still wrapped in the inflatable arms of the device.

As the casualty does not need to be supported, a rescuer in the water will have full use of their arms to swim to safety. This means the casualty can be rescued quicker.

As the casualty does not need to be supported, one rescuer could attend to several casualties.

Multiple lives could be saved.

As our device provides buoyancy, it lifts the casualty out of the water. This helps them to breathe, which increases the oxygen in their blood stream, and therefore reduces their state of panic. This means that a rescuer in the water will be at reduced risk of being drowned by the casualty.

It can be deployed quickly and easily as it uses compressed gas canisters to inflate. This means that the rescuer does not need to be in extensive physical contact or be in the near-vicinity of the unsupported casualty for any prolonged period of time. This helps the rescuer to stay safe, and at a reduced risk of being drowned by the casualty. The quick deployment of the device also quickly reassures the casualty.

When the casualty is securely supported in the inflated structure, a rescuer in the water could provide mouth-to-nose resuscitation as they have total use of both arms. The inflated structure provides enough buoyancy to keep the casualty's head above the water even with the additional weight of a rescuer, who is providing resuscitation. Being able to provide quicker resuscitation could save the life of the casualty.

Preferably it would be inflated with oxygen for quick administration to the casualty after rescue. The oxygen would be administered directly from the inflated chamber to the casualty via a facemask. The quick administration of oxygen could make the difference between life and death.

Introduction to Drawings

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: * Figure 1 shows a casualty in water becoming weak and slipping off a torpedo buoy; a panicking casualty attacking a rescuer; a casualty being successfully rescued.

* Figure 2 shows how the device can expand from it's compact deflated state to its fully inflated state.

* Figure 3 shows various configurations of inflatable shapes that could incorporate the

inflatable hinge'.

* Figure 4 shows a few of the possible hinge shapes, including 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional * Figure 5 shows a constraining mechanism which allows the inflatable arms to stay on their straight state'.

* Figure 6 shows a potential configuration for a handle.

* Figure 7 shows a potential way for the device to unroll.

* Figure 8 shows a potential application for the device -from the water.

* Figure 9 shows a potential application for the device -from the shore.

Detailed Description

Figure la) depicts someone trying to rescue a casualty by throwing them a life-ring. Before help arrives to extract the casualty from the water, they have become too weak to hold onto the ring and have slipped into the water, which would result in them drowning. Figure 1.b) depicts someone trying to rescue with a torpedo buoy. The casualty is too weak and cannot hold on. This would require the rescuer to hold the casualty onto the buoy, resulting in a slower rescue as the rescuer loses the use of their arms to swim. Figure ic) depicts someone trying to rescue with a rescue tube. This requires physical contact, and allows the casualty to grab hold of the rescuer, putting them in danger. Figure id) depicts someone rescuing with our device. The casualty is securely held by the inflatable arms which have wrapped around the casualty's torso. The rescuer can swim to safety with full use of their arms.

Figure 2 shows the device going from its compact deflated state (a), to its inflated straight state' (b), and then to its inflated grabbing' state (c). The straight state may not always be necessary and can be bypassed.

Figure 3 shows a few variations in shape for the inflatable. The grabbing mechanism could be used for a wide variety of configurations, for example a straight inflatable, a circular inflatable, a U-shaped inflatable, a V-shaped inflatable, and so on.

Figure 4 shows the structure of an inflatable hinge'. The inflatable chamber is made of an air-tight and waterproof fabric. The hinge can be either 2 or 3 dimensional. For example, the 2 dimensional hinge could be a U-shaped cut, a triangular cut, or a rectangular cut as shown in figure 4.a). The 3 dimensional hinge in this instance is made by creating a thin slot' cut as shown in figure 4.b), which is then pinched together by pulling the two fabrics apart to create a diamond cross-section (d) of the corner, which is then flattened into a triangle (e). The triangle is then cut and sealed (f). This is repeated on the other side of the cut slot (g). This results in a 3 dimensional hinge, which closes when the inflatable chamber is inflated to a sufficient pressure.

Figure 5 shows how a string or rope or tape (a), is attached to a point (b) on the inflatable chamber (c) and runs around the external edge (d). By folding the structure, and having cut outs (e) which allow the string to constrain two points which should be apart in their fully inflated straight, to stay together (f). This keeps the inflated arms straight, as shown in figure 2.b). The string could be constrained with a ratchet mechanism in the handle, and released using a button. The string could be attached to or could run through a strap which can be worn over the shoulder and across the body.

Figure 6 shows a potential way the handle attached to the inflatable chamber could be configured.

The inflatable structure (a) attaches onto a handle (b), which has an integrated diffuser that is inserted into the inflatable chamber. The diffuser is connected via a channel or tube (c) to the compressed gas canisters (d) via a valve, which is opened by releasing a safety catch (e) and pressing a trigger (f). The inflatable chamber is also connected to a facemask (g) via a valve and a tube (h). The string's (i) ratchet mechanism and release button (j) could also be positioned here.

Figure 7 shows one method of rolling the inflatable chamber. The fabric is rolled with the inflatable hinge' on the external surface of the spiral as shown in figure 7.a). When inflated, the arms unroll in a way that doesn't interfere with the casualty as shown in figures 7.b)c)d)e), and unrolls in the same plane as the water surface if it is inflated horizontally.

Figure 8 shows one possible way of using our device. In this instance a lifeguard who is carrying the compact deflated device notices that someone is drowning. The rescuer swims to the casualty with less effort than required with large buoyant objects, such as torpedo buoys and rescue tubes. When the rescuer reaches the casualty they approach from behind. When within an arm's length distance the rescuer simultaneously reaches for the casualty's chin, and inflates the device against the casualty's upper back by pulling a trigger. The two inflatable arms remain straight so that the rescuer can re-adjust the position if necessary. By pushing a button, the rescuer releases the string that constrains the structure which keeps the arms straight, and the arms wrap around the casualty. The inflatable arms provide buoyancy and keeps the casualty's head safely above the water. The rescuer reaches around the casualty from behind, and secures the arms shut with velcro. The device is attached to the rescuer with a strap / lanyard. The rescuer can then swim back to safety using both arms, and towing the casualty quickly and securely. After arriving to shore, the rescuer can administer oxygen directly from the inflatable chamber to the casualty via a facemask.

Figure 9 depicts the device being used by a rescuer on the shore. In this case the handle, as well as the arms might be longer. The rescuer reaches out to the casualty and inflates the arms into their straight state'. This provides greater reach / extension. The casualty is now within reaching distance of the device. The rescuer releases the constraining string, and the arms wrap around the casualty securely holding them in place until it is possible to extract the casualty from the water.

Claims

CLAI MS1. An inflatable device, which can be deployed quickly and easily using compressed gas comprising an inflatable structure having at least one inflatable hinge which allows the inflatable structure to bend / wrap inwards when the device is inflated.
2. An inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge is two dimensional.
3. An inflatable device as claimed in claim 2, wherein hinge is a U-shaped cut, a triangular cut, or a rectangular cut in the inflatable structure such that the inflatable hinge causes the inflatable structure to bend / wrap inwards when the device is inflated.
4. An inflatable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge is three dimensional.
5. An inflatable device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the hinge is formed by a thin slot cut in the inflatable structure, which is then pinched together by pulling the two fabrics layers on one side of the cut apart to create a diamond cross-section at a corner, which is then flattened into a triangle that is cut and sealed, which hinge closes when the inflatable chamber is inflated to a sufficient pressure.o
6. An inflatable device as claimed in any preceding claim, which includes a mask connected to the inflatable chamber within the inflatable structure such that, when inflated by oxygen, the oxygen can be administered to the casualty through the mask.
7. An inflatable device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the inflated device wraps tightly around a body or object, human or otherwise, when inflated.
8. An inflatable device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the hinge or hinges are provided on the inside of the device when the inflated device wraps tightly around a body or object.
9. An inflatable device as claimed in any preceding claim, which includes a string or rope or tape attached to a point on the inflatable structure and runs around the external edge of the structure, and wherein the inflatable structure comprises inflatable arms and the string or rope or tape constrain two points or more on the structure to keep the arms straight and prevent the device from bending / wrapping inwards as the device is inflated until the string or rope or tape is released.
10. An inflatable device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the string can be released by pushing a button, pulling a trigger or turning a dial, thereby causing the arms of the inflatable structure to wrap around a body or object.
11. An inflatable device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the string is attached to or runs through a strap which can be worn over the shoulder and / or across the body or waist.
12. An inflatable device as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the string is constrained with a ratchet mechanism in a handle, and released using a button.
13. An inflatable device as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, which includes two inflatable arms.
14. An inflatable device as claimed in any preceding claim, which includes a handle attached to the inflatable device, which handle has an integrated diffuser that is inserted into the inflatable chamber of the device, and wherein the diffuser is connectable via a channel or tube to a compressed gas canisters via a valve, which is opened by releasing a safety catch and pressing a trigger. r15. An inflatable device as claimed in any preceding claim, which is in a rolled state prior to inflation with the inflatable hinges being on the external surface of the spiral.0 16. An inflatable device as claimed in any preceding claim, which is in a folded state prior to inflation with the inflatable hinges within the folds.17. An inflatable device as claimed in any preceding claim, which is in an un-folded and un-rolled state prior to inflation.18. An inflatable device as claimed in any preceding claim, which includes a strap or lanyard by means of which a rescuer can tow a body or object.19. An inflatable device substantially as hereinbefore described by reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1(d) to 9 of the accompanying drawings.