GB2268123A - Rescue apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Rescue apparatus for raising a person 56 or other object from water comprises a sheet 12 of flexible material of length greater than the raising distance, having an end securable e.g. by ropes 16 at the raised location and an opposite end attached to manipulation poles or a framework 34. The manipulated end of the sheet is preferably secured to a float 22 and is weighted to form a submerged loop into which the person 56 can be manoeuvred. Pulling upon the manipulation poles 34 causes the person 56 to be moved along the sheet 12 with a rolling action, towards the raised location. <IMAGE>

Description

RESCUE APPARATUS This invention concerns rescue apparatus for raising objects from water, for example persons who have accidentally fallen overboard from boats or off jetties, river banks and the like.

Lifebuoys with ropes attached by which a person in water may be hauled to safety are well known. However, where the victim is injured or unconscious these require a rescuer to enter the water, putting their own life at risk, in order to bring the victim to safety. Several more assistants are then needed to haul in both persons and raise them from the water.

A "man overboard" retriever for boats is known in the form of a net which is lowered into the water and into which the victim can climb so as to be raised back on board.

Again this may require a rescuer to enter the water with several assistants (usually more than two) on board for raising the net. The net is also uncomfortable for both the victim and rescuer.

The present invention aims to provide rescue apparatus for raising a person or other object from water which can be conveniently operated by only two rescuers at the raised location without the need for them to enter the water. The apparatus comprises a sheet of flexible material of a length greater than the raising distance, having an end securable at the raised location and an opposite end attached to a manipulation pole or framework. Preferably the end portion of the sheet adjacent to the pole or framework is weighted or of such a weight that it will sink to form a submerged loop when the pole or framework is lowered towards or into the water.

A person or an object to be rescued can be manoeuvred into the submerged loop using a boat hook or the like. The rescuers can then pull upwardly on the manipulation pole or framework, raising the loop and person/object from the water.

As the manipulated end is raised, the person/object progresses along the sheet towards the secured end with a rolling action. The effort required to lift the person/object is thus equal to only about half their/its weight.

Advantageously, the manipulated end of the sheet is secured to a float. The float is conveniently elongate and fixed to an edge of the sheet opposite an edge securable at the raised location. A manipulation pole may then be provided at or towards either end of the float. A rope extending from the end of the pole remote from the sheet may assist in manipulation. The edges of the sheet between the manipulated and securable ends may be provided with hand holds used in the latter stages of raising the person/object.

The sheet may be water permeable which ensures that the loop will sink readily and drain when raised. The sheet may comprise openly woven material or netting. If netting is used a small mesh size is preferred for comfort. The sheet may be weighted by sand pockets.

An embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example and with reference to the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of apparatus forming an embodiment of the invention, laid out flat; Figure 2 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 lowered over the side of a boat for rescuing a man overboard; and Figure 3 shows the man being rolled on deck.

The rescue apparatus 10 of Figure 1 comprises a rectangular sheet 12 of open weave material, e.g. nylon.

One end 14 of the sheet 12 has ropes 16 attached through eyelets 18 for securing the end 14 at the raised location.

The opposite end 20 of the sheet 12 is secured to an elongate float 22 by ropes 24 and eyelets 26. Corners of the sheet 12 are secured by eyelets 28 to manipulation ropes 30. The ropes 30 pass around fittings 32 on either end of the float 22 and through tubular manipulation poles 34 held captive on the ropes 30 by knots 36, 38. Hand holds in the form of webbing loops 40 are sewn into the edges of the sheet 12 and sand pockets 42, 44, 46 are provided running longitudinally of the sheet 12.

In use, as shown in Figure 2, the ropes 16 are secured to any convenient point on the raised location (handrail 50 and cleat 52 of a rescue boat as shown). Two rescuers 54 lower the float 22 and the attached end 14 of the sheet 12 into the water, using the manipulation poles 34 and ropes 30, so that the sheet forms a submerged loop extending outwardly of the boat. In doing so there is no need for the rescuers 54 to enter the water or even lean overboard. A man overboard 56 may then be manoeuvred into the loop, using a boat hook or other convenient implement if he is injured or unconscious. For this purpose, the rescue apparatus may include a grab hook similar to a shepherd's crook attached to a long extensible pole. Due to the sand pockets, the loop will remain properly deployed even if suspended from a boat under way or lowered into a strong river current.

Pulling in the poles 34 and ropes 30 raises the float 22 and attached end 14 of the sheet from the water, together with the man 56. Continued pulling on the poles 34 and ropes 30 rolls the man 56 towards the secured end 14 of the sheet 12 and eventually tips him back on deck, as shown in Figure 3. Raising the sheet 12 also brings the hand holds 40 within range of the rescuers 54, for use during the later stages of the rescue operation.

When choosing materials for the rescue equipment, consideration has to be given to reducing risk of injury.

Sand is therefore a preferred weighting material for the sheet; with GRP for the float 22 and poles 34. Preferably at least the latter parts are also of a highly visible colour. The rescue equipment of the present invention is useful on river banks, quaysides, jetties, fishing boats, small ferries and pilot cutters. Numerous other applications will also be apparent.

Claims (10)

1. Rescue apparatus for raising a person or other object from water, comprising a sheet of flexible material of length greater than the raising distance, having an end securable at the raised location, and an opposite end attached to a manipulation pole or framework.

2. Rescue apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end portion of the sheet adjacent to the pole or framework is weighted or of such a weight that it will sink to form a submerged loop when the pole or framework is lowered towards or into the water.

3. Rescue apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 including a rope extending from the end of the pole or framework remote from the sheet.

4. Rescue apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the manipulated end of the sheet is secured to a float.

5. Rescue apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the float is elongate and fixed to an edge of the sheet opposite an edge securable at the raised location, and wherein a said manipulation pole is provided at or towards either end of the float.

6. Rescue apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein edges of the sheet between the manipulated and securable ends are provided with hand holds.

7. Rescue apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sheet is water-permeable.

8. Rescue apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sheet is weighted by sand pockets.

9. Rescue apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including a grab hook attached to a pole.

10. Rescue apparatus substantially as described with reference to or as shown by the accompanying drawings.