SCBA Rescue Frame With Wheels and Skids for Low-Drag Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rescue methods for injured emergency workers in hostile environments, such as firefighters, require multiple personnel to extract the injured due to high equipment weight and frictional drag, making the process cumbersome and potentially hazardous.
Innovation Solution
A rescue apparatus is attached to the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) frame, incorporating frictional drag-reducing elements like rolling wheels, skid plates, and track systems, allowing a single rescuer to efficiently extract the injured worker by reducing friction and distributing the load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple rescuers (3-4 firemen) are used to extract an injured team member, then the injured person can be adequately secured and extracted, but the extraction process becomes cumbersome and more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A wheeled carriage device serves as an intermediary tool between the rescuers and the injured firefighter. The carriage includes a frame with wheels, restraining straps to secure the injured person, and a handle for pulling. This mechanical intermediary reduces the physical burden on rescuers while maintaining secure restraint of the injured individual, allowing extraction with fewer personnel.
2Weight of moving object
If the injured fireman's gross weight (250-300 lbs) is considered, then the weight must be carried for training standards, but extracting this weight from a burning building becomes extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The manual carrying method is replaced with a wheeled carriage system. The carriage includes a frame with multiple wheels that support the weight of the injured firefighter, restraining straps to secure the person, and a pull handle. This mechanical substitution transforms the extraction task from direct human carrying to rolling transport, significantly reducing the physical effort required by rescuers.
3Reliability
If equipment is taken to adequately secure the injured team member, then the individual's injury is prevented from being exacerbated, but the grouping of 3-4 individuals becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The restraining straps and securing mechanisms are integrated directly into the wheeled carriage device. The carriage frame includes built-in straps that can be configured to secure the injured person's torso and limbs, combining the securing function with the transport function in a single integrated device. This eliminates the need for separate securing equipment and reduces the number of personnel needed to operate the system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and efficient extraction of injured emergency workers from hostile environments by reducing the effort required for rescue, minimizing the risk of further injury and facilitating movement through challenging conditions.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating frictional drag reducing elements like rolling wheel systems
Implementation Method 2
incorporating frictional drag reducing elements like rolling wheel systems, skid plates
Data Source
AI summary
A rescue device which attaches to the frame of a self-contained breathing apparatus carried on the back of emergency workers such as firemen, hazardous-waste cleanup crews, and other individuals entering into hostile environments. The rescue device is adapted to connect to the frame of existing self-contained breathing apparatus frames or racks. In one form, the rescue device has a top and bottom frame which connects to the SCBA frame at the top and bottom locations. The frames project around the body of the SCBA tank and extend out to position rolling elements for providing the transportation needs. The frames have at the rolling elements ends wheel forks which contain wheels having axles. In another embodiment a skid plate is attached to the ends of the frames in conjunction with the protruding wheels or by itself without rolling elements. Other ways of creating the reduction in frictional drag are provided such as a sled type configuration and a track system.