Fire Fighter Pincers

ResQTec hydraulic rescue tools

"This full line of hydraulic rescue equipment helps rescuers extricate people who are trapped, such as in vehicle accidents. New features have reduced weight, increased efficiency and safety, and improved ergonomics over previous models. In addition, the use of industry standard connectors allows the tools to be fitted to most hydraulic pumps used by rescuers. The bold colors and polished surfaces, which reflect the company's recent rebranding, help distinguish the tools from the competition. Since the line's launch, sales have tripled."

Coffin Rescue Robot

coffin rescue robot

This rescue robot, the red-headed stepsister of this beast, was designed to rescue humans from areas firemen can't easily access. Apparently, the seemingly unnamed robot can not only carry a 110 kilogram person over difficult terrain with ease, but monitor the occupant's vital signs as well, although complete details on that, and any other technical details are a bit hard to come by at the moment. As with most such robots, however, this one's apparently not completely autonomous, with it packing some infrared cameras to allow its operator to locate folks even in conditions with poor visability. This is a super good rescue autonomus robot / vehicle, I already had this type of idea for my project and I guess something like this can be very useful specially for Fire incidents.

Tuvie, rescue vehicle

rescue vehicle

It is the kind of rescue vehicle that can ply on whatever terrain you put it on and effortlessly. The Amphibious Rescue Craft (A.R.C) helps deliver aid in times of natural calamities like floods and cyclone affected areas. All the other vehicles might not be ply during these times but the impact resistant tires of the ARC enable it to reach places with ease. There is less friction and a great output. In such times when time is crucial to the number of lives saved the A.R.C can come to the rescue. This is a project I found on the web, inspirational and good reference maybe my product would be end up as a rescue vehicle.

T-53 Enryu Rescue Robot

"T-53 Enryu"

Rescue workers operate a hyper rescue robot "T-53 Enryu", developed by Japanese robot venture Tmsuk to remove debris, during a demonstration at Kitakyushu city in Fukuoka prefecture, western Japan on July 3, 2009. Kitakyushu Fire Department deployed the 2.8-meter tall, three-ton robot which can be operated manually by a person aboard it as well as by remote control to lift heavy objects with its two arms 

Inflatable Rescue Sled Concept Converts into Backpack

Inflatable Sled To The Rescue

 stretcher mode

Is a backpack that converts into an inflated solution provides cushioning and makes it a lot easier to drag. When someone get injured on the mountains this convertible backpack converts into a stretcher and facilitates the rescue. This is an inspirational product for my degree project, I guess some good ideas pops out from this kind of products.

Flying Stick

flying camera

face detection

This conceptual gadget is actually a camera embedded in a flying stick. Rub it off to air and let it take pictures from a height. Flying Stick automatically takes pictures at set intervals. Pictures from above are prettier than ones from ground, surely the imagination includes face detection and other high end camera features, this function related with my project can help to know who is the victim trapped or gives more information about the situation.

Design Probabilities

probabilities of design

The product I will end up with can be many things: can be used by the rescuers or the victims to rescue themselves, also can be something that helps directly or indirectly, also the research is gonna mark if will be a specific product or a system/service.
It's time to think more who is gonna be my target!  I need to make an analysis of all the problems I found before but I am starting to realize in what kind of product I will end up, so it is not important to decide specifically right now it will be better after my research analysis next week probably.

robot- The loper

Also more info of what already exist today in a rescue terms with robots.

Robo-Rescue, Scooping People Out Of Harms Way

Robo-Rescue in Japan

Only in japan would firefighters have a robot to help with rescues. The robot can be used as a rescue robot for people who are unconscious from a fire or to pickup casualties. I think this idea can be very useful for mining rescue with fire.

Enryu returns to battle blizzards

"Enryu" the rescue robot

Enryu the 5-ton, 11.5-foot rescue robot designed by Japan's Tmsuk -- the fearless bot was being tested for deployment to earthquake zones. Now the iron giant has a new mission: rescuing survivors of avalanches and other winter disasters (Japan is currently going through one of its worst winters on record). The bot's hydraulic arms have a 16-foot span, and can lift over 1,000 pounds. In a test, Enryu was able to lift a car out of deep snow and wipe snow and ice off of rooftops. 


This is just an example of robots that rescue in different environments, I think this robot has no really an aesthetic design but it works very well, for me could be a good reference and idea of autonomous robots/machines for this project, I guess the most important thing is: do not put on risk the miner's lives in an emergency situation that's why this can of robots exist. I guess a robot which can be operated in distance would be very practical and efficient in terms of mining rescue. 

Analysis of the most relevant accidents in mines

Analysis of the most relevant accidents in mines

After I've been researching and describing all the most relevant accidents in mines, I made this graphic to compare fatality and how often the accidents happens.

this is my conclusion for them:

the yellow line reflects the Non Fatal accidents but rarely happen. (it does not make sense to try in here).

the red line says how the stupidest accidents occurs but they are not fatal ones, an example can be an small accident with a common tool. (this one also does make me feel that it is very important to develop it).

the blue line stands out how safe the machinery is. (so the problem is not on the machinery).

the purple line indicates how the explosions and inundations (not only water can be gases too) can be very fatal but they are not the most frequently ones (I think in here there's something interesting to explore).

and finally the green line indicates what are the most common and fatal accidents that we highlight most part of the time they are caused by external factors (can be nature or oversight) because the maintenance of the machinery is good but some human mistakes causes them. (here I believe is a great opportunity because of the risk and its frequently) 

Communication rescue kit

Suitable for Three Rescuers: Two Entrants / One Attendant; The Mine Rescue Kit is designed for: Mine Rescue and Confined Space Rescue The Mine Rescue Kit is a two-way communications system designed to provide full duplex voice communication to each member of a mine rescue team.  The system is designed for one attendant and two entrants, but can be expanded to five entrants.  The Kit comes with 1000 feet of communications cable that can be quickly deployed and managed with the Cable Reel.  The cable splitter allows the Rescuers to fan out 10 to 15 feet in either direction and still maintain voice communications. (communication between the rescue crew is vital for this project because they work in team)

Trauma first AID kit

Trauma first AID kit

This unit is an all-in-one first aid kit which splits into two separate units. One half of the box contains Splinting and transport items while the other half contains Trauma and Airway related items.

Principles of mine rescue

principles of mine rescue

In this link I found a lots of information about the procedures and roles of the miners in different accident cases. 

MSA Thermal Imaging Cameras

Thermal Imaging Camera

The MSA Thermal Imaging Camera is a self-contained, battery-operated unit incorporating a miniature display monitor. It is intended primarily for use as a firefighting aid, giving good quality thermal pictures through dense smoke where normal vision is impossible.