Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Avalanche Safety System to Help Extend Survival Time

Filed under: Sports Medicine

One of the entries submitted to the Dyson Design Awards for consideration is the AvaJacket, a safety vest to help skiers survive a meeting with an avalanche. It features airbags that open up to restrain the head from being twisted into dangerous positions, and a breathing system that aims to separate exhaled air from the much needed oxygen rich variety.

From the submission to the award contest:

The device works by extracting the mouthpiece from its pocket: in just a few seconds, the airbag located in the collar is inflated around the neck of the victim, protecting a vital part of the body and decreasing the burial depth. Once submerged by the snow, the airbag slowly deflates; with its volume, around which the snow has become thick and solid, it has gained space around the victim's neck and kept the airways clear, besides having given more chances to the victim's motion and wiggle. Meanwhile, it is possible to breathe through the mouthpiece which separates the inhaled air from the exhaled air.

Video submission explaining the AvaJacket:

Award entry page: AvaJacket...

James Dyson Award entries...

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