GB2087224A

GB2087224A - Rescue bag

Info

Publication number: GB2087224A
Application number: GB8036730A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: DOMTEX INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
Current assignee: DOMTEX INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
Priority date: 1980-11-15
Filing date: 1980-11-15
Publication date: 1982-05-26
Also published as: GB2087224B

Abstract

A thermally insulating bag for the substantially complete enclosure of the body of a living accident victim has an opening 5 for the victim's face and is capable of being opened along a substantial part of its periphery 3 for the insertion or removal of the body. The bag has internal straps for securing the body, and external carrying straps 10, 11, which may have loops to receive stretcher poles. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Rescue bag The invention relates to a rescue bag for victims of accidents.

Whilst the rescue bag of the invention may be used in a wide range of accident situations, it is particularly of use where one of the main hazards to the victim is hyperthermia or loss of body heat, such as is experienced in rescue operations at sea.

According to the invention there is provided a rescue bag for victims of accidents, the bag comprising upper and lower panels of similar shape secured together about substantially the whole perphery thereof, the securing together being releasable about at least a part of the periphery so that the bag may be opened for insertion or removal of the victim and, the upper panel being provided with an opening for the face of the victim.

The bag maybe essentially rectangular and releasably secured about three sides so that it can be opened flat.

The inner surface of the lower panel is preferably marked opposite the opening for the location of the victim's head. Again, the lower panel is preferably provided at its inner surface with straps for securing the victim in position. The lower panel may be provided at its outer surface with carrying straps, and the straps may have aligned loops for reception of poles.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure lisa plan view of a rescue bag in fully openedflatform; and Figure 2 shows the same bag containing an accident victim and partially secured about its perimeter.

As shown in the Figures the bag comprises a single sheet 1 of sliver-knit DECUPAD (Registered Trade Mark) pile fabric of which the pile is of modified polyester fibre and the backing or substrate is of polyester fibre. The sheet is formed symmetrically about a line A-B so that, on folding on line A-B, the panel 2 overlies panel 3 with the edges in register as shown in Figure 2.

Each of the edges which are in register is provided with one of a pair of zip fastener tapes which can be brought into interlocking relationship with one another by means of a runner 4 whereby the bag can be totally closed.

Panel 2 in use is the upper panel is provided with an opening 5 for the face of the victim contained in the bag. The provision of this opening offers the advantage that a conscious victim is not given a claustrophobic experience of total enclosure, whilst the mouth and nose of the victim are free for, for example, the administration of oxygen or mouth to mouth resuscitation.

In use of the bag, the victim is laid upon the pile surface of the lower panel 3 with his head at the position of patch 6 which lies opposite the opening 5 in the closed condition of the bag. Straps 7, which are secured to the pile surface of the lower panel 3 are passed under the victim's arms and secured across his chest as shown in Figure 2 by means of quick release buckle 8. The panel 2 is then folded across the body of the victim and the bag closed by means of the zip runner 4. The face of the victim will be found to show through the opening 5.

The upper face of the upper panel, being the knitted substrate of the pile, is provided with a pocket 7 for documents relating to the victim, whilst tapes 10 and 11 are secured to the lower surface of the lower panel 3 whereby the victim can be carried or lifted, as by a helicopter. Each of the straps 10, 11 at each side of the bag is provided with a loop 12 through which a pole can be inserted at each side of the bag to form it into a rigid stretcher.

A waterproof cover (not shown) may be provided for the upper surface of the upper panel 2, this being of sufficient width to be folded over the edges of the bag so as to cover the zip. The waterproof cover has pieces of Velcro (Register Trade Mark) touch-andclose fastening fabric arranged about its periphery for co-operation with similar pieces 13 of Velcro secured to the underside of the lower panel 3. The waterproof cover may be made of PVC fabric in a fluorescent colour for easy visibility at night, and may be provided with a pocket for documents. The patch 6 is also preferably of a fabric having a fluorescent colouring.

The bag is made of dimensions such that it will be a fairly snug fit around a victim but sufficiently generous as to accommodate a victim who is fully clothed and possibly injured.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the panels 2 and 3 are separate and joined together by the zip fastener arrangement. In either embodiment the zip may be provided with two runners so that the bag may be left open over any section of the periphery so that a doctor may have access to the victim through the gap. The zip runners may be of double-acting type so that the bag may be unzipped from outside or from inside.

Whilst the bag may be made of alternative materials, the fabric described has the particular advantages that it can be cleaned and sterilized by autoclaving at 135"C, is air permeable and water permeable so that body fluids or water from the victim's clothing may drain away from the body. Of particular importance, however, is that the inner surfaces of the panels be of deep pile structure to provide substantial thermal insulation so that the victim will suffer no further heat loss and his body temperature will rise by the heat generated in his body without the introduction of any heat from outside sources.

1. A rescue bag for victims of accidents, the bag comprising upper and lower panels of similar shape secured together about substantially the whole periphery thereof, the securing together being releasable about at least a part of the periphery so that the bag may be opened for insertion or removal of the victim and, the upper panel being provided with an opening for the face of the victim.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Rescue bag The invention relates to a rescue bag for victims of accidents. Whilst the rescue bag of the invention may be used in a wide range of accident situations, it is particularly of use where one of the main hazards to the victim is hyperthermia or loss of body heat, such as is experienced in rescue operations at sea. According to the invention there is provided a rescue bag for victims of accidents, the bag comprising upper and lower panels of similar shape secured together about substantially the whole perphery thereof, the securing together being releasable about at least a part of the periphery so that the bag may be opened for insertion or removal of the victim and, the upper panel being provided with an opening for the face of the victim. The bag maybe essentially rectangular and releasably secured about three sides so that it can be opened flat. The inner surface of the lower panel is preferably marked opposite the opening for the location of the victim's head. Again, the lower panel is preferably provided at its inner surface with straps for securing the victim in position. The lower panel may be provided at its outer surface with carrying straps, and the straps may have aligned loops for reception of poles. Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure lisa plan view of a rescue bag in fully openedflatform; and Figure 2 shows the same bag containing an accident victim and partially secured about its perimeter. As shown in the Figures the bag comprises a single sheet 1 of sliver-knit DECUPAD (Registered Trade Mark) pile fabric of which the pile is of modified polyester fibre and the backing or substrate is of polyester fibre. The sheet is formed symmetrically about a line A-B so that, on folding on line A-B, the panel 2 overlies panel 3 with the edges in register as shown in Figure 2. Each of the edges which are in register is provided with one of a pair of zip fastener tapes which can be brought into interlocking relationship with one another by means of a runner 4 whereby the bag can be totally closed. Panel 2 in use is the upper panel is provided with an opening 5 for the face of the victim contained in the bag. The provision of this opening offers the advantage that a conscious victim is not given a claustrophobic experience of total enclosure, whilst the mouth and nose of the victim are free for, for example, the administration of oxygen or mouth to mouth resuscitation. In use of the bag, the victim is laid upon the pile surface of the lower panel 3 with his head at the position of patch 6 which lies opposite the opening 5 in the closed condition of the bag. Straps 7, which are secured to the pile surface of the lower panel 3 are passed under the victim's arms and secured across his chest as shown in Figure 2 by means of quick release buckle 8. The panel 2 is then folded across the body of the victim and the bag closed by means of the zip runner 4. The face of the victim will be found to show through the opening 5. The upper face of the upper panel, being the knitted substrate of the pile, is provided with a pocket 7 for documents relating to the victim, whilst tapes 10 and 11 are secured to the lower surface of the lower panel 3 whereby the victim can be carried or lifted, as by a helicopter. Each of the straps 10, 11 at each side of the bag is provided with a loop 12 through which a pole can be inserted at each side of the bag to form it into a rigid stretcher. A waterproof cover (not shown) may be provided for the upper surface of the upper panel 2, this being of sufficient width to be folded over the edges of the bag so as to cover the zip. The waterproof cover has pieces of Velcro (Register Trade Mark) touch-andclose fastening fabric arranged about its periphery for co-operation with similar pieces 13 of Velcro secured to the underside of the lower panel 3. The waterproof cover may be made of PVC fabric in a fluorescent colour for easy visibility at night, and may be provided with a pocket for documents. The patch 6 is also preferably of a fabric having a fluorescent colouring. The bag is made of dimensions such that it will be a fairly snug fit around a victim but sufficiently generous as to accommodate a victim who is fully clothed and possibly injured. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the panels 2 and 3 are separate and joined together by the zip fastener arrangement. In either embodiment the zip may be provided with two runners so that the bag may be left open over any section of the periphery so that a doctor may have access to the victim through the gap. The zip runners may be of double-acting type so that the bag may be unzipped from outside or from inside. Whilst the bag may be made of alternative materials, the fabric described has the particular advantages that it can be cleaned and sterilized by autoclaving at 135"C, is air permeable and water permeable so that body fluids or water from the victim's clothing may drain away from the body. Of particular importance, however, is that the inner surfaces of the panels be of deep pile structure to provide substantial thermal insulation so that the victim will suffer no further heat loss and his body temperature will rise by the heat generated in his body without the introduction of any heat from outside sources. CLAIMS

2. A rescue bag according to Claim 1 which is essentially rectangular and releasably secured about three sides so that it can be opened flat.

3. A rescue bag according to Claim 2 wherein the three sides include the two longer sides.

4. A rescue bag according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper surface of the lower panel is marked opposite the opening for the location of the victim's head.

5. A rescue bag according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lower panel is provided with straps for securing the victim in position.

6. A rescue bag according to any one of the preceding claims and provided with carrying straps.

7. A rescue bag according to any one of the preceding claims and provided with aligned loops for endwise reception of poles.

8. A rescue bag according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper panel is provided with a waterproof cover.

9. A rescue bag substantially as described with reference to the drawings.