System and method for sheltering individuals in a hazardous environment

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a mobile, modular emergency shelter which contains adequate breathable air cylinders connected to full face air masks, food, water, and first aid/medical supplies to enable a predetermined number of individuals (up to sixteen individuals in one embodiment) to survive and shelter in place in a hazardous environment, such as an underground mine containing toxic air secondary to explosions, fires, roof falls, or flooding, for a predetermined time period (up to four to five days in one embodiment) while awaiting rescue.

1 . A system for sheltering a predetermined number of individuals in a hazardous environment, the system comprising:
 a movable base unit comprising:
 a plurality of breathable air cylinders; 
 a manifold for distributing air from the cylinders, the manifold comprising a plurality of ports, each port having a quick-connect fitting; 
 an air supply control system configured to control a flow of air from the air cylinders to the manifold and to reduce an air pressure of the air from the air cylinders; and 
 a plurality of equipment storage chambers; 
   a plurality of individual breathing units stored within at least some of the storage chambers, the plurality comprising at least one breathing unit for each of the individuals, each breathing unit comprising:
 a positive pressure full-face air mask; 
 a man-portable breathable air escape cylinder; 
 a first stage regulator coupled to the escape cylinder and configured to direct air from either the escape cylinder or the manifold to the air mask; 
 a mask air supply hose connecting the air mask and the first stage regulator; and 
 a manifold air supply hose connecting the manifold and the first stage regulator, 
   the manifold air supply hose having at least one quick-connect fitting; and   a plurality of remote units, each remote unit being positioned at a predefined distance from the base unit or from another remote unit along an escape route, each remote unit comprising:
 a plurality of man-portable breathable air escape cylinders, the plurality comprising at least one escape cylinder for each of the individuals. 
   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the movable base unit is sized to fit within a mine crosscut. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the movable base unit is skid-mounted or wheel-mounted and configured to be towable. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold comprises a fixed manifold, wherein the system further comprises a portable manifold connected to the fixed manifold via an air supply hose, the portable manifold comprising a plurality of ports, and wherein the manifold air supply hose connects the portable manifold and the first stage regulator. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air masks comprise a nourishment port. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of breathable air cylinders comprise a sufficient number of cylinders to supply breathable air to the predetermined number of individuals for a predetermined amount of time. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined amount of time is at least 96 hours to conform to mine-safety regulations of the Mine Safety and Health Administration. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base unit further comprises:
 a plurality of folding chairs stored within at least some of the storage chambers, the plurality comprising at least one folding chair for each of the individuals.   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base unit further comprises, stored within at least some of the storage chambers:
 potable water in individual containers configured to connect to a drinking port in the air mask;   meal replacement drinks in individual containers configured to connect to a drinking port in the air mask;   first aid supplies; and   at least one light source approved to be operated in a hazardous environment.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each remote unit further comprises:
 potable water in individual containers configured to connect to a drinking port in the air mask;   meal replacement drinks in individual containers configured to connect to a drinking port in the air mask; and   first aid supplies.   
   
   
       11 . A method for sheltering individuals in a hazardous environment, the method comprising:
 providing a movable, skid-mounted base unit comprising:
 a plurality of breathable air cylinders; 
 a manifold for distributing air from the cylinders, the manifold comprising a plurality of ports, each port having a quick-connect fitting; 
 an air supply control system configured to control a flow of air from the air cylinders to the manifold and to reduce an air pressure of the air from the air cylinders; and 
 a plurality of equipment storage chambers; 
   providing a plurality of individual breathing units stored within at least some of the storage chambers, the plurality comprising at least one breathing unit for each of the individuals, each breathing unit comprising:
 a positive pressure full-face air mask; 
 a man-portable breathable air escape cylinder; 
 a first stage regulator coupled to the escape cylinder and configured to direct air from either the escape cylinder or the manifold to the air mask; 
 a mask air supply hose connecting the air mask and the first stage regulator; and 
 a manifold air supply hose connecting the manifold and the first stage regulator, 
   the manifold air supply hose having at least one quick-connect fitting; and   providing a plurality of remote units, each remote unit being positioned at a predefined distance from the base unit or from another remote unit along an escape route, each remote unit comprising:   a plurality of man-portable breathable air escape cylinders, the plurality comprising at least one escape cylinder for each of the individuals.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the movable base unit is sized to fit within a mine crosscut. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the movable base unit is skid-mounted or wheel-mounted and configured to be towable. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the manifold comprises a fixed manifold, wherein the system further comprises a portable manifold connected to the fixed manifold via an air supply hose, the portable manifold comprising a plurality of ports, and wherein the manifold air supply hose connects the portable manifold and the first stage regulator. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the air masks comprise a nourishment port. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of breathable air cylinders comprise a sufficient number of cylinders to supply breathable air to the predetermined number of individuals for a predetermined amount of time. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the predetermined amount of time is at least 96 hours to conform to mine-safety regulations of the Mine Safety and Health Administration. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the base unit further comprises:
 a plurality of folding chairs stored within at least some of the storage chambers, the plurality comprising at least one folding chair for each of the individuals.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the base unit farther comprises, stored within at least some of the storage chambers:
 potable water in individual containers configured to connect to a drinking port in the air mask;   meal replacement drinks in individual containers configured to connect to a drinking port in the air mask;   first aid supplies; and   at least one light source approved to be operated in a hazardous environment.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each remote unit further comprises;
 potable water in individual containers configured to connect to a drinking port in the air mask;   meal replacement drinks in individual containers configured to connect to a drinking port in the air mask; and   first aid supplies.