Basque Enterprise Europe Network

Title

New foldable, self-inflating, light and highly portable device for water rescue and lifesaving

Reference

TOES20210727001

Last update

Wed, Aug, 04, 2021

Deadline

Thu, Aug, 04, 2022

Abstract

A Spanish public entity linked to the public health sector offers a small, light and compact water rescue device to be worn as a snug waist bag by the lifesaver, that incorporates a self-inflating mechanism, generates no resistance for swimming and leaves the lifesavers hands free to carry out preventive lifesaving tasks. The product is already developed and freely available for any entity interested in manufacturing and/or improving it under a manufacturing or technical cooperation agreement

Description

The Spanish public entity is an organism which provides support to Catalan municipalities in the development of their powers in public health. The entity is also involved in several innovation projects for the development of new solutions within the health sector.

Although rescue operations only constitute 1.9% of the actions required of lifesavers, it is crucial for them to have a flotation device to achieve a favourable outcome in rescues. The current standard solution used by lifesavers/available in the market is a device which, due to its dimensions, can interfere with the performance of the lifeguard. Moreover, it is not advisable to attach standard flotation devices —such as rescue buoys— to rescue vehicles, since due to their rigidity there is a danger of the lifesaver or bather in distress being struck through wave movements. Furthermore, storage space on these vehicles tends to be very limited.

The new portable device developed by the Spanish public entity is a small, light and very compact water rescue device, worn as a snug waist bag by the lifesaver. It incorporates a self-inflating mechanism in the form of a CO2 cartridge, which is activated in cases where it is necessary to provide the bather in distress with buoyancy. It offers lifesavers various advantages, both in terms of water rescue actions and outside the water, leaving their hands free to carry out other functions. The main features of the device are:

Characteristics:
Compact (12.5 cm x 21.5 cm x 9.5 cm)
Light (916 grams)
Excellent buoyancy 2613.8 N (266.7 kg)

Visibility:
Yellow device
Red handles

Safety for lifesaving personnel:
Quick-release fasteners.
Floating tow rope of optimal length for not getting in the way while swimming.

Material:
Resistant to saltwater and UV rays.
Resistant to breakage and tearing.
Resistant to the action of biocides; minimises growth of bacteria and microorganisms.
Easily cleaned and disinfected.

Inflation:
Automatic with 33-gram CO2 cartridge
Alternative of nozzle for inflating by mouth.

Portability:
Device worn as waist bag with adjustable belt. Equipped with quick-release fastener for the lifesaver’s greater safety.
Highly portable, leaving the lifesaver’s hands free for other tasks.
Negligible resistance when swimming.

Once inflated, the device looks very similar to a standard rescue buoy. It offers good buoyancy for rescuing a bather in distress, high visibility, handles for the lifesaver and bather to hold onto, and a cord attached to the lifesaver to maintain contact in adverse conditions.

The efficacy of the device for rescue purposes has been scientifically proven; it offers similar results to those of traditional devices (rescue time, perception of fatigue, ease of use, time needed to control the bather in distress, etc.). The lifesaver wears the device around their waist until reaching the victim. Thanks to its folding mechanism, the device generates negligible resistance for lifesavers when they are swimming, having no impact on their swimming speed. The CO2 self-inflating mechanism is activated just before making contact with the bather in distress by pulling a ring. It is also equipped with a nozzle for inflating by mouth if necessary.

The buoyancy of the device once inflated makes it suitable for safely carrying out rescues of very heavy bathers or several bathers at once, handling up to 266 kg.

The Public entity is seeking companies and other entities which are interested in manufacturing the Device under a manufacturing agreement and/or improving it under a technical cooperation agreement.

Technology Keywords

Lightweight materials;Water Transport;Security systems

Keyword Codes:

02007019;02008008;02009022

Current Stage of Development

Intellectual Property Rights

Other

IPR Comments:

Since the Device has been developed with public funds, the entity is not interested in making profit for the acquisition of the technology by a third part. They are interested in sharing their knowledge.

Exploitation of RTD Results

Organisation/Company Type

Organisation/Company Size

Organisation Comments

Detailed Market Application Codes (VEIC)

MA Keyword

Rescue and emergency equipment;Other medical/health related (not elsewhere classified);Other Industrial Products (not elsewhere classified)

MA Keyword Codes:

05004002;05007007;08005

Application Domain Description:

Collaboration Type

Comments:

The entity is looking for companies and other organisms from the following areas of activity:
- Engineering and construction of inflatable and pneumatic technology.
- Design of inflatable structures
- Textile architecture company
- Manufacture of lifesaving and rescue technical equipment

They are seeking companies interested in either:
- Manufacturing the device under a manufacturing agreement for the production of the device in their infrastructures
- Improving the device under a technical cooperation agreement

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