FR3132849A1 - Safety device for a user swept away by an avalanche - Google Patents

Abstract

Safety device for a user carried away by an avalanche Safety device (10) for making a user (12) identifiable in an avalanche, comprising: - a storage pouch (16), and a bladder (18), - a capacity (20) containing a fluid (22) under pressure, - a rope (26) intended to be connected to a harness (32), and to the bladder by a fixing system extending over more than 5 cm in at least one direction (D) against the bladder, - a triggering system (24) for inflation of the bladder by the fluid. The device is movable between a passive use configuration, in which the bladder is deflated in the storage pouch, the rope being folded edge to edge, coiled or wound, and an active use configuration, in which the bladder is inflated outside the storage pouch and floats above the avalanche, the rope and the fixing system retaining the bladder to the user. Figure for abstract: Figure 4

Description

Safety device for a user swept away by an avalanche

The present invention relates to a safety device making it possible to identify a user carrying the device while the user is buried by an avalanche of snow.

We know that avalanches represent a mortal danger for skiers or hikers, whether natural or triggered by their passage over an unstable snow cover.

In fact, the person buried in an avalanche typically finds themselves under on average at least one meter of snow and can only rely on others to be rescued, otherwise they will quickly die of suffocation. If the person is rescued within fifteen minutes of being buried, we know that their chances of survival are greater than or equal to 91% on average. After thirty-five minutes, his chances of survival drop extremely quickly to less than 34%. It is therefore essential to quickly locate the person, in order to maximize the chances of getting them out of the avalanche alive.

The buried person is by definition not visible, and locating them by probing the ground is often far too long, and exhausting for rescuers in practice.

If the person is lucky, they may leave a trace, such as a ski or a glove on the surface of the avalanche. However, this marker can be located at a great distance from the buried person, because this type of object is more easily carried away by the avalanche than the person themselves. In general, this trace does not allow the person to be found in less than fifteen minutes.

Traditionally, we have moved towards visual devices to help locate the person, before electromagnetic devices appeared, or possibly in addition to the latter.

In the 1950s, there was a red avalanche cord that skiers could drag behind them at all times. However, such a device is not practical for skiing, and there is no guarantee that it will remain visible in the event of an avalanche.

The device called “Balloon Holder”, in the 70s, includes an inflatable balloon worn as an armband. It is quite easily torn from the person wearing it in the event of an avalanche. This was a failure in particular because of the materials used and a faulty ejection.

The device called “Avalanche Ball”, of Austrian origin, comprises a large mechanically deployable ball stored in a dedicated backpack. It was therefore heavy and required carrying a backpack to attach the system to. Its mechanical deployment system required regular monitoring to check the condition of the metal (shock, rust).

The device called “Rotauf MRK5”, of Swiss origin, was a technological failure. The balloon it contains does not inflate completely, or too slowly when exposed to cold. In addition, this device, once inflated, tended to be easily torn from the buried person. An avalanche is indeed capable of stripping a person naked and breaking the straps of a backpack, for example. The ball of this device also tends not to float in heavy snow.

Furthermore, active electromagnetic systems are not always reliable. They can be disturbed by a cell phone, or any metal object. They require a correct power supply, the quality of which must be monitored before each use. It is estimated that below 80% charge, batteries should be changed preventively. The “transmission” mode consumes little but the search mode consumes batteries exposed to the cold very quickly.

Additionally, for long-term health reasons, some people do not want to wear a device that emits electromagnetic waves.

Furthermore, these devices require training in use which should be obligatory and recurring, which is not the case, in concrete terms, because many misuse biases are possible: forgetting in an emergency among a person in the group to put your device in search mode during the search, which means that the other people present first find a person who has come to rescue, then the person caught under the avalanche, once the handling error is known to the group of research. In practice, it is common for several people in a group of snowshoe or ski hikers to not be proficient in searching with this device. In certain common cases, such as in the case of day snowshoe outings supervised by a guide or mountain guide, only the professional masters this research technique.

Finally, given legislative constraints on the use of electromagnetic waves, the new models have a reduced range compared to certain old models, despite the addition of additional antennas (three currently on the most recent models).

Finally, in many cases, during outings, we also notice that someone in the group simply did not turn on their device, by forgetting, or put their device in search mode when it should have been placed in transmit mode.

An aim of the invention is therefore to overcome all or part of the above drawbacks, by providing a lightweight safety device, relatively inexpensive, and increasing the chances of quickly locating a user buried under an avalanche.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a safety device intended to make a user visually identifiable while the user is caught in a snow avalanche, the device comprising:

- a storage pouch, and an inflatable bladder, movable between a deflated state and an inflated state in which the bladder has an external volume of between 5 and 60 liters,

- at least one capacity containing a fluid under pressure to inflate the bladder,

- a rope, a first fixing system, distinct from the storage pouch and intended to connect a first end of the rope to a harness worn by the user, And a second fixing system connecting a second end of the rope to the bladder, the second fixing system extending over more than 5 cm in at least one direction against the bladder in the inflated state,

- a trigger system to trigger inflation of the bladder with the fluid,

the device being mobile enters, on the one hand, a configuration of passive use, in which:

- the bladder is in a deflated state and located in the storage pouch, the capacity being mounted on the trigger system, and

- the rope comprises a middle part located in the storage pouch, the middle part being folded edge to edge, coiled or wound, the first end of the rope being intended to be attached to the harness by the first fixing system,

and, on the other hand, an active use configuration, in which:

- the bladder is in an inflated state and outside the storage pouch, the bladder being intended to float above the avalanche and to be spotted, and

- the middle part of the rope is deployed outside the storage pouch, the first fixing system, the rope and the second fixing system retaining the bladder to the user.

According to particular embodiments, the device comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in all technically possible combinations:

- the fluid is gaseous at a reference pressure of 10 bar absolute and a reference temperature of -20°C;

- the rope is braided and comprises high density polyethylene fibers, with a molar mass greater than 10 ⁶ g/mol, the first fixing system comprising, on the one hand, a connecting splice forming a loop, and, on the other hand on the other hand, a carabiner intended to be attached to the harness;

- the bladder comprises an envelope comprising a fabric coated with polyurethane;

- the second fixing system comprises several straps, each of the straps having at least one segment fixed over its entire length on the bladder, and/or each of the straps at least partially surrounding the bladder in the inflated state;

- the bladder is formed by at least two parts fixed to each other in a sealed manner to said fluid in the inflated state, said parts forming one or more falling edges, and said segments of the straps of the second fixing system being sewn on the scrap edge(s);

- the straps form loops surrounding the bladder in the inflated state, the second fixing system further comprising parts glued or welded to the bladder and spanning said segments of the straps, the parts being adapted to block said segments against the bladder;

- the trigger system comprises a handle capable and intended to be located outside the storage pouch in the passive use configuration and to be pulled by the user to trigger the inflation of the bladder by the fluid, the handle being preferably adapted to be grasped in the palm of the hand by the user, the hand forming an “O” or a “C” surrounding the entire handle;

- the bladder is adapted to be deflated manually by the user, and includes a valve allowing oral inflation of the bladder by the user;

- the storage pouch comprises a wall, and at least one elastic member fixed to the wall and adapted to retain the middle part of the rope against the wall in the passive use configuration;

- the fluid comprises at least 50% by volume of dinitrogen, argon, or a mixture of dinitrogen and argon; And

- the handle has a shape of revolution around the handle axis, for example a pear shape.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

there is a schematic perspective view of a user wearing a device according to the invention, the device being in the passive use configuration,

there is a perspective view of the device shown on the , the user being in the process of activating the triggering system of the device,

Figures 3 and 4 are successive views over time, in perspective, showing the deployment of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2, the device being in the active use configuration on the ,

there is a schematic sectional view of the device and the person shown in Figures 1 to 4, the device being in the active use configuration, the person being buried in an avalanche,

there is a view of the rope of the device shown in Figures 1 to 5, the device being in the passive use configuration,

there is a view of the first fixing system of the device shown in Figures 1 to 5,

there is a view of a variant of the first fixing system shown on the ,

there is a view of the bladder and part of the second fixing system of the device shown in Figures 1 to 5,

there is a view of a first variant of the bladder and the part of the second fixing system shown on the ,

there is a sectional view of a detail of the bladder and the part of the second fixing system shown on the ,

there is a view of a second variant of the second fixing system partially shown on the ,

there is a partial view of a third variant of the second fixing system partially shown on the , And

there is a view of an optional damping system of the device shown in Figures 1 to 5.

With reference to Figures 1 to 5, a security device 10 according to the invention is described.

The device 10 is adapted to make a user 12 visually identifiable while the user is caught in an avalanche 14 of snow ( ).

The user 12 is for example a skier or a hiker in the mountains

In Figures 1 and 2, the device 10 is in a passive use configuration, in which it is simply carried by the user in the absence of a threatening avalanche.

On the , the device 10 is in the process of evolving towards an active use configuration shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which the user 12 is likely to be buried in the avalanche 14, completely (as shown in Figure ), or partially.

The device 10 comprises a storage pouch 16, an inflatable bladder 18 (Figures 3 to 5), at least one capacity 20 (Figures 3 and 4) containing a fluid 22 under pressure to inflate the bladder, and a trigger system 24 for trigger the bladder to inflate with the fluid. The device 10 comprises a rope 26, a first fixing system 28 intended to connect a first end 30 of the rope to a harness 32 worn by the user, and a second fixing system 34 connecting a second end 36 of the rope to the bladder 18.

Optionally, the device 10 comprises a damping system 38 shown on the .

The storage pouch 16 is for example removably fixed on the harness 32.

Advantageously, as visible on the , the storage pouch 16 comprises a wall 40, and two elastic members 42, 44 fixed to the wall and adapted to retain a middle part 46 of the rope 26 against the wall in the passive use configuration.

According to variants not shown, the storage pouch 16 comprises a single elastic member, or more than two elastic members.

The rope 26 is advantageously braided and comprises for example high density polyethylene fibers, with a molar mass greater than 10 ⁶ g/mol. The rope 26 is for example sheathed dyneema®, or alternatively unsheathed.

The rope 26 advantageously has a length, in the deployed state, between the first end 30 and the second end 36, of between 4.0 and 8.0 meters, the possible damping system 38 being deployed.

The middle part 46 of the rope is stored in the storage pocket 16 in the passive use configuration ( ) and deployed out of the storage pouch in the active use configuration ( ).

In the passive use configuration, the middle part 46 is for example folded edge to edge, and advantageously forms loops 48 retained by the two elastic members 42, 44 so as to prevent the formation of knots.

According to variants not shown, the middle part 46 is coiled or wound inside the storage pouch 16 in the passive use configuration.

The first end 30 of the rope 26 is located outside the storage pouch 16 and attached to the harness 32 by the first fixing system 28 in the passive use configuration.

In the passive use configuration, the second end 36 of the rope 26 is located in the storage pouch 16 and attached to the bladder 18 by the second fixing system 34.

The first fixing system 28 is distinct from the storage pouch 16 in the sense that it is adapted to fix the rope 26 directly on the harness 32 independently of the fact that the storage pouch is itself possibly fixed on the harness.

Advantageously, the first fixing system 28 comprises a connecting splice 50 forming a loop 52 in the extension of the first end 30 of the rope 26, and a carabiner 54 passing through the loop and intended to be attached to the harness 32.

The connecting splice 50 is for example sewn ( ), or made on braid ( ).

The bladder 18 is movable between a deflated state ( ), and an inflated state (Figures 4 and 9) in which it has an external volume of between 5 and 60 liters, preferably between 15 and 50 liters. In the inflated state, the bladder 18 advantageously has a spherical or ellipsoidal shape.

The bladder 18 is adapted to be stored in a deflated state in the storage pouch 16 in the passive use configuration.

In the active use configuration, the bladder 18 is in the inflated state and located outside the storage pouch 16, the bladder being intended to float above the avalanche 14 and to be identified by one or more first aiders (not shown).

The bladder 18 advantageously has a color visible from a distance and easily, for example red.

The bladder 18 advantageously comprises an envelope 56 made of fabric coated with polyurethane.

Advantageously, the bladder 18 is adapted to be deflated manually by the user, and comprises a valve 58 ( ) allowing oral inflation by the user. For example, bladder 18 is deflated manually via valve 58.

According to a variant shown in Figures 10 and 11, the bladder 18 is for example formed by two parts 58, 60 fixed one on the other in a sealed manner to said fluid 22 in the inflated state, said parts forming an edge of fall 62.

According to a variant not shown, the bladder 18 is formed by more than two parts, forming several falling edges.

The two parts 58, 60 are for example welded to each other in a zone 64 which delimits the falling edge 62.

As another variant, the two parts 58, 60 are glued to each other.

The second fixing system 34 comprises for example a splice 66 ( ) forming a loop 68 in the extension of the second end 36 of the rope 26.

The second fixing system 34 extends over more than 5 cm in at least one direction D against the bladder 18 in the inflated state.

In the example shown on the , the second fixing system 34 comprises three straps 70, 72, 74, each of the straps forming a loop 75 surrounding the bladder 18 in the inflated state and having segments 76 fixed over their entire length on the bladder.

The straps 70, 72, 74 form for example a connecting loop 78 passing through the loop 68 of the splice 66. The straps 70, 72, 74 are advantageously formed by a single braid, for example made of the same material as the rope 26.

The segments 76 are for example blocked by parts 80 glued or welded to the bladder 18 and which span the segments 76.

According to variants not shown, the straps are two in number, or are more than three, or even each of the straps, or of the strap, has only one segment fixed on the bladder 18.

According to a first variant shown in Figures 10 and 11, the second fixing system 34 comprises two straps 70, 72 (in continuity with one another, because formed by a single braid in the example). The segments 76 are advantageously sewn onto the falling edge 62 of the bladder 18, for example by a zigzag seam 82. Advantageously, the straps 70, 72 encapsulate the falling edge ( ). For example, the straps 70, 72 are sewn all along the edge of the scrap 62.

According to a second variant shown on the , the second fixing system 34 comprises a plurality of straps 84 surrounding the bladder 18 in the inflated state, advantageously forming a net 86.

According to a third variant represented on the , the second fixing system 34 comprises at least one eyecup 88, a ribbon 90 passing through the eyecup, and a fixing part 92 fixed to the bladder and defining an orifice 94 through which a central part 96 of the ribbon 90 protrudes.

The ribbon 90 further comprises, in a longitudinal direction, two lateral parts 98, 100 extending between the bladder 18 and the fixing part 92.

The fixing part 92 has, for example, a disc shape.

Capacity 20 is suitable for mounting on trigger system 24 in the passive use configuration. Capacity 20 is advantageously refillable with fluid 22, or is a cartridge intended to be replaced and advantageously recycled.

The fluid 22 is advantageously gaseous at a reference pressure of 10 bar absolute and a reference temperature of -20°C. The fluid 22 is stored in the capacity 20 at a pressure which is not necessarily the reference pressure, and at a temperature which is not necessarily the reference temperature.

The pressure of the fluid 22 in the capacity 20 is for example between 50 and 210 bars absolute.

The fluid 22 comprises for example at least 50% by volume of dinitrogen, argon, or a mixture of dinitrogen and argon.

According to particular embodiments, the fluid 22 is compressed air, or industrial dinitrogen or argon at a purity of at least 99% by volume.

The trigger system 24 is advantageously adapted to conduct the fluid 22 from the capacity 20 towards the bladder 18 when it is actuated. The trigger system 24 is advantageously a percussion system.

The trigger system 24 advantageously comprises a handle 102 capable and intended to be located outside the storage pouch 16 in the passive use configuration and to be pulled by the user 12 to trigger the inflation of the bladder 18 by the fluid 22 under pressure coming from capacity 20.

According to a particular embodiment, the triggering system 24 is adapted to be triggered remotely by a third person or an automated system (not shown). For example, the trigger system 24 is adapted to receive an electromagnetic trigger signal (not shown).

The handle 102 is preferably adapted to be grasped in the palm of the hand by the user 12, the hand forming an "O" or a "C" surrounding the entire handle 102, for example around an axis of the handle D1. Thus, the handle 102 advantageously does not form a loop through which the user 12 would have to pass his fingers (an operation made difficult if the user wears gloves for example), and in which his fingers would risk being stuck, which would prevent to deploy the device 10.

Advantageously, the handle 102 has a shape of revolution around the handle axis D1, for example a pear shape.

As visible on the , the damping system 38 advantageously comprises a frame 104, and comprises portions 106 of the rope 26 folded edge to edge inside the frame. The portions 106 are adjacent to each other successively in a direction D2, and are sewn onto each other. The seams 108 are designed to gradually release if a tension T greater than a given threshold is applied to the rope 26.

In the example shown on the , the rope is interrupted by connection systems 110, 112 located on either side of the damping system 38.

The threshold is for example 200 daN.

The operation of the device 10 will now be described.

Beforehand, the user 12 ensures that the capacity 20 is functional and connects it to the triggering system 24, the bladder 18 being in the deflated state and stored in the storage pouch 16. At least the middle part 46 of the rope 26 is also stored in the storage pouch. Optionally, user 12 has several capacities, which can be used as spares.

The user 12 first puts the device 10 in the passive use configuration ( ). For example, he puts on the harness 32, connects the storage pouch 16 to the harness, and connects the first fixing system 28 to the harness. For example, it connects the carabiner 54 to a trigger guard of the harness 32. The possible handle 102 of the trigger system 24 is placed, or is naturally located, outside the storage pouch 16.

Alternatively, the device 10 is already connected to the harness 32, and the user 12 only has to put on the harness.

In the absence of an avalanche, the user 12 does not in principle use the triggering system 24 and the device 10 remains in the passive use configuration.

Optionally, the user 12 can remove the bladder 18 from the storage pouch 16 and perform oral inflation of the bladder using the valve 58, which allows the device 10 to be placed preventively in the active use configuration without using the capacity 20. The user 12 can then manually deflate the bladder 18 and replace it in the storage pouch 16. He also replaces the middle part 46 of the rope 26 in the storage pouch if the rope has been deployed .

If the user 12 notices or senses a risk, he puts the device 10 in the active use configuration by activating the trigger system 24 ( ). For example, the user 12 pulls the constantly accessible handle 102. Advantageously, by this one and the same gesture, it extracts the bladder 18 from the storage pouch 16 and triggers its inflation by the fluid 22 under pressure. Pulling the handle 102 triggers the inflation of the bladder 18 advantageously by percussion.

Then, the user 12 advantageously projects the bladder 18, the capacity 20 and the triggering system from a distance, for example in the opposite direction of the avalanche ( ).

This projection is facilitated by the mass of the assembly 114 consisting of the bladder, the capacity and the triggering system. The projection causes the middle part 46 of the rope 26 to come out of the storage pocket 16, which deploys.

If the avalanche 14 unfortunately reaches the user 12 and buries him ( ), the bladder 18 in the inflated state floats by a reverse segregation effect. The first fixing system 28, the rope 26 and the second fixing system 34 firmly hold the bladder 18 to the user 12. The traction line thus created passes through the harness 32, the first fixing system 28 and the rope 26 without passing significantly through the storage pouch 16, which avoids accidental tearing of the device 10 from the user 12 by the avalanche 14.

Within the device 10, the second fixing system 34 prevents the bladder 18 from being torn away from the rope 26.

The bladder 18 is in principle located downstream of the user 12 with respect to the direction of progression of the avalanche 14 (arrow F on the ), which makes it possible to determine an approximate location of the user relative to the bladder 18, in an angular sector (not shown) widening from the bladder towards the upstream of the avalanche 14, at a maximum distance E determined by the length of the rope 26. The rescuer(s) can search for the user 12 starting from this location, then in a certain perimeter around the bladder 18, starting with the upstream side defined by the avalanche 14.

If the avalanche 14 does not reach the user, he can rearm the device 10 by connecting a new capacity 20, if he has one, to the trigger system 24. He can also carry out manual inflations and deflations of the bladder 18.

This characteristic allows the user to deploy the device 10 in areas with a high potential risk of avalanche and to rearm it once the area has been left without consuming the fluid 22 of the capacity 20.

Thanks to the characteristics described above, the device 10 is light, relatively inexpensive, and significantly increases the chances of quickly locating the user 12 buried under the avalanche 14.

In addition, the device 10 can possibly be rearmed if the user 12 has spare capacities 20. The reconditioning of the device 10 is also easier and less expensive than for very large airbags.

Thanks to the optional valve 56, the device 10 can be manually inflated for preventive deployment, for example to cross a risk zone, then be returned to the passive use configuration.

The device 10 is light, with a mass for example less than or equal to 800 g without the harness.

The device 10 is advantageously complementary to electromagnetic security devices known in themselves (not shown).

The device 10 makes it possible to considerably reduce primary search time, particularly in avalanches or large-scale flows. In certain cases, the device 10 makes it possible to go directly to the final, so-called secondary, search, which saves considerable time.

The device 10 also makes it possible to greatly reduce the uncertainties regarding the location, particularly if there are several victims and if surface indices (gloves, sticks) are distributed inconsistently, because they are carried at different speeds by the avalanche. 14.

The device 10 is an indisputable and immediate location indicator.

The inflation of the bladder 18 is very rapid, particularly with an argon or dinitrogen capacity, even at low ambient temperature.

The optional characteristic according to which the rope 26 is braided and comprises high density polyethylene fibers, with a molar mass greater than 10 ⁶ g/mol ensures particularly high mechanical resistance. In addition, the use of connecting splices 66 eliminates fragile points, thanks to constriction/friction retention. The risk of loss of the bladder 18 by detachment due to the strong stresses exerted by the avalanche 14 is considerably reduced.

The attachment of the bladder 18 to the rope 26 by the second fixing system 34 by zigzag stitching on the falling edge 62 of the bladder is very resistant and does not compromise the tightness of the bladder, because it is carried out at the same time. distance from the zone 64 of welding or bonding of the parts 58, 60 of the bladder.

The storage pouch 16 is secured in a “floating” manner to the user 12. The storage pouch 16 is attached to the harness 32, but the structural strength of the connecting chain does not rest on the storage pouch. A tearing or sliding along the body (leg or arm) of the user 12 cannot occur.

The optional damping system 38 further reduces the risk of tearing, by limiting the traction T between the bladder 18 and the user 12.

The device 10 in the passive use configuration is still usable and does not require taking out a handle, because it is already accessible. The pear-shaped handle 102 does not get caught in branches when crossing. The handle 102 is easily released from the hand, even with gloves, when the bladder 18 is projected by the user 12.

Adequate storage of the middle part 46 of the rope 26 avoids knots and ensures an excellent deployment rate of the device 10.

The bladder 18 is optionally provided with a deflation valve for storage and reconditioning, also allowing oral inflation for preventive triggering when passing avalanche zones while saving the use of a capacity 20, which is very useful for ski touring. This also allows the user 12 to continue to be “covered” by the device 10 during a long exit after a first trigger.

The volume of the bladder 18 ensures good buoyancy, even in very heavy snow.

The weight of the capacity 20 and the trigger system 24 ensures good “ballistic” deployment by the user.

The optional feature according to which the triggering system 24 can be operated remotely can compensate for a lack of reflex on the part of the user 12 or a lack of time for him to trigger the device 10.

Claims (10)

Safety device (10) intended to make a user (12) visually identifiable while the user (12) is caught in an avalanche (14) of snow, the device (10) comprising:
- a storage pouch (16), and an inflatable bladder (18), movable between a deflated state, and an inflated state in which the bladder (18) has an external volume of between 5 and 60 liters,
- at least one capacity (20) containing a fluid (22) under pressure to inflate the bladder (18),
- a rope (26), a first fixing system (28), distinct from the storage pouch (16) and intended to connect a first end (30) of the rope (26) to a harness (32) carried by the user (12), And a second fixing system (34) connecting a second end (36) of the rope (26) to the bladder (18), the second fixing system (34) extending over more than 5 cm in at least one direction (D ) against the bladder (18) in the inflated state,
- a trigger system (24) for triggering inflation of the bladder (18) by the fluid (22),
the device (10) being mobile enters, on the one hand, a passive use configuration, in which:
- the bladder (18) is in the deflated state and located in the storage pouch (16), the capacity (20) being mounted on the trigger system (24), and
- the rope (26) comprises a middle part (46) located in the storage pocket (16), the middle part (46) being folded edge to edge, coiled or wound, the first end (30) of the rope ( 26) being intended to be attached to the harness (32) by the first fixing system (28),
and, on the other hand, an active use configuration, in which:
- the bladder (18) is in the inflated state and outside the storage pouch (16), the bladder (18) being intended to float above the avalanche (14) and to be identified, and
- the middle part (46) of the rope (26) is deployed outside the storage pouch (16), the first fixing system (28), the rope (26) and the second fixing system (34) retaining the bladder (18) to the user (12). Device (10) according to claim 1, in which the fluid (22) is gaseous at a reference pressure of 10 bar absolute and a reference temperature of -20°C. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the rope (26) is braided and comprises high density polyethylene fibers, with a molar mass greater than 10 ⁶ g/mol, the first fixing system (28) comprising, on the one hand, a connecting splice (50) forming a loop (52), and, on the other hand, a carabiner (54) intended to be attached to the harness (32). Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bladder (18) comprises an envelope (56) comprising a fabric coated with polyurethane. Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the second fixing system (34) comprises several straps (70, 72, 74), each of the straps (70, 72, 74) having at least one segment (76) fixed over its entire length on the bladder (18), and/or each of the straps (70, 72, 74) at least partially surrounding the bladder (18) in the inflated state. Device (10) according to claim 5, in which the bladder (18) is formed by at least two parts (58, 60) fixed one to the other in a sealed manner to said fluid (22) in the inflated state, said parts (58, 60) forming one or more falling edges (62), and said segments (76) of the straps (70, 72, 74) of the second fixing system (34) being sewn onto the falling edge(s) (62). Device (10) according to claim 5, in which the straps (70, 72, 74) form loops (75) surrounding the bladder (18) in the inflated state, the second fixing system (34) further comprising parts (80) glued or welded to the bladder (18) and spanning said segments (76) of the straps (70, 72, 74), the parts (80) being adapted to block said segments (76) against the bladder (18) . Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the trigger system (24) comprises a handle (102) adapted and intended to be located outside the storage pouch (16) in the configuration of passive use and to be pulled by the user (12) to trigger the inflation of the bladder (18) by the fluid (22), the handle (102) being preferably adapted to be grasped in the palm of the hand by the user (12), the hand forming an “O” or a “C” surrounding the entire handle (102). Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the bladder (18) is adapted to be deflated manually by the user (12), and comprises a valve (58) allowing oral inflation of the bladder (18) by the user (12). Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the storage pouch (16) comprises a wall (40), and at least one elastic member (42) fixed on the wall (40) and adapted for retain the middle part (46) of the rope (26) against the wall (40) in the passive use configuration.