Call us on 1-888-828-9814 or send enquiries to enquiries@motiontouch.com
Home
About Us/
About MotionTouch
Services/
Design
Prototype & Testing
Tooling
Production
Sectors/
Case Studies
Inventor's Guide/
Contact
Blog
RescuEAN (Life Saving Aid)
Client:
RescuEAN Limited
Manufacturing Process:
Injection Moulding Company Description:
RescuEAN Limited was formed to develop an idea/invention relating to a sports diving life saving aid.
The Problem:
Martin Kerley & Chris Wood from RescuEAN Ltd are both experienced divers who came to MotionTouch with a design idea for a new product called RescuEAN Pod in December 2006. They wished to produce a life saving aid that can offer the injured/unresponsive dive accident patient a constant flow of higher concentration O2 from the rescue divers Nitrox cylinder. This would be delivered via the standard first stage and low pressure hose to an oral/nasal mask. Delivery of the solution would save lives, providing the critical oxygen supply without needing specialist life saving equipment.
The Challenge:
The major consideration in design was to make the Pod compact, light weight and easy to use. The rescue diver had to be able to rapidly and correctly use the device under stress at the rescue location. The number of components was kept to a minimum to reduce the possibility of breakdown, malfunction and the need for regular servicing. The pod needed to be constructed in rugged materials enabling a long working life in the corrosive salt water environment.
The Process:
A usability study was undertaken to determine the best design solution. A materials study resulted in a choice of Marine Grade 316 Stainless Steel and nylon as they offered the maximum protection against salt corrosion. The body of the Pod was made in a tough, robust plastic to protect the Pod from accidental damage while attached to the diver during dives.
The Solution:
The main challenge was to achieve a constant gas flow from the Pod of both 15 Lpm and 25 Lpm. This was cleverly overcome with the use of a valve, plunger and cam mechanism which is controlled by simply 'twisting' the centre section of the Pod.
The Product:
The idea of the RescuEAN Pod life saving aid came from a long and intense period of dive training thro' PADI. During the Emergency First Response course, it was mentioned that if the dive patient was conscious - then Nitrox should be offered to them via a standard dive regulator. One of the Directors then asked the trainer why it couldn't be given to an unconscious patient? The answer was that there was nothing that would allow the Nitrox to be fed in a constant flow to the rescue diver's oral/nasal face mask. Now there is! By dramatically reducing the time to provide oxygen to divers in the most perilous state it has won wide approval from the diving community.
The Outcome:
RescuEAN Pod will appeal as a useful additional rescue aid to sport scuba divers (or similar) in the remote dive areas in the UK or abroad. It is widely accepted by PADI, DAN and the general medical profession that in the event of a near drowning or any dive related accident that the fastest possible provision of O2 increases the recovery prospect of the patient. Whilst 100% O2 is by far the best option, an O2 enriched Nitrox mix (if available) is better than simply offering the patient 'mouth to mouth' resuscitation.
Martin Kerley says, "To date, we are impressed with the professional approach of MotionTouch. They took our idea and sketches and have developed a great product that met all our requirements. Once we have the product in the UK to release, we are sure that further orders will be required.
Once things started, communication was excellent and the result definitely brought our idea into total reality. We would use MotionTouch again to develop new ideas and products in the future."
Henry Powell says, "This is an ideal project for our company. Martin's enthusiasm was infectious from day one and the whole team were excited about the project. A project involving a life-saving design innovation is always going to carry a little extra excitement. Two members of the project team are also divers so that added to the interest. The problem solving involved some sturdy fluid dynamics as well as the usual challenges that come with marine design. I am delighted with the product and the initial response in the dive media has been fantastic. I am certain that the project will be a great success."
Want Us To Work On Your Project?
Whether you need to outsource product development or make a great idea a reality, we can help you with all aspects from concept design through prototype to manufacture.
Just tell us your requirements and we'll get back to you.