Inflatable aquatic rescue board and method of rescue

Abstract

An inflatable aquatic rescue board is provided having particular advantage in rescuing persons who have sustained injuries while swimming or diving, and who frequently must be held rigid to prevent further injuries while being removed from the water. Prior to inflation, the rescue board is quite flexible, permitting it to be rolled into a compact bundle for storage. Then, upon activation of a self-contained compressed gas supply, the rescue board quickly becomes stiff and buoyant to form an ideal aquatic stretcher. The board comprises a planar structure having two impervious parallel broad faces constrained to a maximum separation by internal members extending therebetween. Transverse reinforcements provide additional rigidity and two longitudinally extending flat springs facilitate unrolling of the rescue board under water during rescue. Strategically placed straps are provided for securing an injured person to the board and handles are placed for maximum ease of removal from water and transportation to competent medical treatment.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An inflatable aquatic rescue board comprising: an inflatable bag of impervious material having two substantially parallel broad faces in alignment with each other and constrained to be separated by not more than a maximum distance, .[.by internal members.]. said bag being generally rectangular and having two longitudinally extending sides and transverse head and foot ends respectively;   said bag being rolled up from the foot end to the head end in the deflated condition;   manually actuable means disposed adjacent the head end and coupled to inflate the bag when activated; and   arm receiving means disposed adjacent the head end for enabling a rescuer, while the bag is uninflated and partially rolled and while positioned at the unrolled end, to place the unrolled portion of said bag adjacent the back of an injured person with the arm extending along the spine, the bag unrolling fully under the injured person .[.during inflation.]. .Iadd.and being inflated.Iaddend..   
     
     
       2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 above, including in addition longitudinal spring means disposed along at least one of the broad faces thereof to provide a spring force tending to assist unrolling, and wherein the internal pressure of the inflated bag is approximately 10 psi. 
     
     
       3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 above, further including handle means for carrying the bag in a horizontal position; detachable strap means disposed at spaced apart longitudinal regions for rigidly securing an injured person to one of the broad faces; and means coupled to said manually actuable means for controlling the rate of inflation of said bag. 
     
     
       4. An inflatable aquatic rescue board comprising: an impervious top broad surface;   an impervious bottom broad surface having a shape substantially conforming to the top broad surface,   said bottom broad surface being disposed parallel to and in alignment wth the top broad surface;   .[.internal.]. means .Iadd.for constraining .Iaddend..[.disposed between.]. the top and bottom broad surfaces .[.constraining them.]. to a maximum separation while permitting the interior flow of an inflating gas;   said top and bottom broad surfaces being composed of flexible material permitting rolling of said board into a compact package in the deflated condition;   said board having a head end and a foot end with said top and bottom surfaces extending longitudinally the length of said board from said head end to said foot end, the peripheral edges of the top and bottom broad surfaces being .[.joined.]. .Iadd.connected .Iaddend.together to form an inflatable bag;   said board being rolled up from the foot end to the head end in the deflated condition;   means for unrolling a portion of said board; .[.for placing the unrolled portion of said board adjacent the back of an injured person.]. and   means for thereafter inflating the bag to .[.extend and.]. define the rescue board.   
     
     
       5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 above, wherein said top and bottom broad surfaces and internal means comprise a pair of woven panels and interconnecting, drop stitches said panels being coated on the outside surfaces thereof with neoprene. 
     
     
       6. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said rescue board has at least one transversely oriented reinforcement bar secured to at least one of the broad surfaces thereof providing increased rigidity of the board in the transverse direction while at the same time permitting rolling of the deflated board into a compact package. 
     
     
       7. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said board includes a transversely oriented flat spring member secured to at least one of the broad surfaces thereof in the proximity of the foot end of said board and a pair of float members secured to the bottom broad surface with one of said float members located at each end of said spring member whereby the legs and feet of the injured person will be retained on the board during inflation and extension of the board. 
     
     
       8. The invention as set forth in claim 4 .[.further including.]. .Iadd.wherein said means for unrolling a portion of said rescue board comprises .Iaddend.longitudinally oriented elongated flat spring .[.members.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.secured to the .[.top broad.]. .Iadd.rescue-board .Iaddend.surface whereby said flat spring .[.members.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.exert a force to extend said bag in the deflated condition and thereby assist the rescuer in unrolling the board. 
     
     
       9. The invention as set forth in claim 4 including handle means positioned at the transverse edge adjacent the head end of said board and a loop member secured to the bottom broad surface in an area near the middle of said surface providing an opening through which the rescuer may insert his arm and partially unroll the board and the wrist loop through which the rescuer can insert his hand to grasp the remaining rolled portion of the board so that the rescuer may place the board on the back of the injured person prior to inflation of the inflatable bag.