Lifesaving Water Rescue

Reported July 2008

ATLANTA, Ga. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Each year, there are over 7,000 drowning deaths, many in rough, choppy waters of rivers and oceans. But rescue efforts in swift water are among the most difficult for emergency teams. Now, a new rescue device makes saving lives easier.

The water's edge may seem peaceful and serene, but to emergency workers, a fast moving river can be deadly.

"We had a group of kids that decided they were going to help with the recovery effort that we were doing and ended up being victims themselves," Wayne Akers EMT and recovery diver for Swift Water Rescue, told Ivanhoe.

Rescue efforts in swift water can be difficult. Now, industrial design students from Virginia Tech have created a water rescue harness. It was a class project, that's ready for a real rescue.

"The goal of this device is to make it easier and safer to rescue someone in the water with a spinal injury," Liz Varnerin, industrial design student at Virginia Tech, told Ivanhoe.

It's called hydro-spine, and it's being tested today by professionals. It provides better spine support to help prevent injuries, and better flotation to guard against water hazards.

"The biggest thing we did was provide flotation, so if the unconscious person should become face down in the water, it will flip them over and keep them in the correct position in the water," said Varnerin.

It has handles for pulling and lifting, holes allow access to take patient's vital signs, four buckles fasten all at once, reducing the time it takes to secure a victim, and a stiff head support reduces the need for a neck brace. It also travels straight to the hospital.

"It's an all no metal design so the patient can stay in it in the hospital and go thru x-rays," said Varnerin.

The device received rave reviews from rescuers.

"This has been one of the most gratifying projects I've ever worked on in school," Brian Sandifer, industrial design student at Virginia Tech, told Ivanhoe.

An A+ assignment with a huge reward.

Click here to Go Inside This Science or contact:

Liz Varnerin
(804) 212-9995
lizvarn@vt.edu

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