Integrated Rescue Harness for Firefighter Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rescue harness devices for firefighters are ineffective due to complexity, bulkiness, and difficulty in deployment during emergency situations, especially when the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is not worn by a downed firefighter, and existing designs fail to securely maintain the individual being dragged.
Innovation Solution
A rescue harness device integrated into protective coats with an elongated strap and handle, allowing easy formation of a closed loop around the upper torso, which can be accessed through the coat's back region, ensuring secure cinching and direct pulling without requiring manual adjustments or SCBA reattachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a DRD is incorporated into turnout coats to assist in removal of downed firefighter, then the effectiveness of rescue operation is improved, but the device complexity and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rescue harness is divided into separate modular components including an elongated strap with connector elements at each end, a harness handle, and integration points in the turnout coat. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured, inspected, and replaced, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining rescue effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The rescue harness components are integrated within the layers of the turnout coat itself, with the elongated strap disposed between the outer shell and inner shell. This nesting approach eliminates the need for separate external harness equipment, reducing bulkiness while maintaining all necessary rescue functions.
2Strength
If complex harness configurations with multiple fasteners are used, then the security of maintaining individual is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector elements are pre-positioned at the ends of the elongated strap and integrated into the turnout coat structure before emergency situations occur. The harness is pre-configured within the coat layers, so that during rescue operations, firefighters only need to perform the simple action of pulling the harness handle, which automatically deploys the pre-positioned strap and connectors without requiring manual engagement of multiple fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The rescue harness is designed to be self-deploying through the turnout coat structure. When the harness handle is pulled, the elongated strap automatically cinches around the firefighter's torso and the connector elements self-engage with the coat integration points, eliminating the need for manual fastening operations while maintaining secure restraint.
3Adaptability or versatility
If SCBA harness is used as removal mechanism, then the need for additional equipment is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates when SCBA is not worn by downed firefighter
Solution Approach 1:
The rescue harness is designed as a universal system integrated into the turnout coat that functions independently of SCBA equipment. The elongated strap and connector elements are permanently integrated into the coat structure, providing a reliable removal mechanism that works whether the firefighter is wearing SCBA or not, and whether conscious or unconscious.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated rescue harness acts as an intermediary system between the firefighter and the rescue team. The harness handle provides a reliable connection point that mediates the transfer of force from the rescue team to the downed firefighter, eliminating the need to rely on SCBA harness availability while maintaining secure attachment capability.
4Reliability
If manual engagement of multiple fasteners is required, then the security of harness deployment is improved, but the time required for deployment increases
Solution Approach 1:
All connector elements and strap positioning are pre-configured within the turnout coat structure before emergency situations occur. The elongated strap is pre-positioned between the coat shells with connectors ready to engage, so that during rescue operations, the harness deploys instantly when the handle is pulled, eliminating time-consuming manual fastening while maintaining secure deployment through the pre-engineered connection points.
Data Source
AI summary
Rescue harness devices are designed for incorporation into protective coats of firefighter or other types of first responders such that when deployed, the rescue harness forms a closed loop that cinches around an upper torso region under the armpits of an individual donning the protective coat, to thereby positively secure the individual and pull directly on the individual's body.