This is the C.I.R.V.E.R. Spine

(Pronounced ser-ver spine)



Click to enlarge

It stands for

Canal
Ice
Rapids
Vertical
Emergency
Rescue
Spine

How It Works

This device has many uses. MANY uses.

The C.I.R.V.E.R. Spine uses inflatable raft technology. The valving would be the same. The materials similar. Pop the valve it inflates itself in a roll.

If it is stored wrapped around a removable post on wheels, it would work by tying off one end to something secure. If you are trying to rescue someone who has fallen through the ice, line up the roll, pop the valve, and a floating bridge inflates. It will float on water and rest on the ice.

You aim it. Secure it. Inflate it. It rolls out rapidly, as the valves start a chain reaction of self inflation.

And you simply walk out to the person in trouble.

The original intent and design is specificaly for frozen water rescue. But its' uses go way beyond that alone.

C.I.R.V.E.R. Spine would come in lengths of 100 feet . The Spine would be approximately 4 feet wide and 1 1/2 ft. thick. Cross section lengths would be 8 feet long with 2 foot diameter. A standard extension can be built in lengths of 25 or 50 feet units.

If both ends are tied off, C.I.R.V.E.R. Spine can be deployed across a canal for a rapid sweep rescue.

Once deployed, the free end is caught and pulled, to make sure it rests above the current and tied off. The meshing can even be untied on one side to create a floating net that will not get taken under by the rapid wash.

No more firemen dangling from cables hoping to get lucky in raging water.

This would also be well suited as an emergency dive platform.

The C.I.R.V.E.R. Spine would also be excellent for standard safety equipment on any larger size boat. It is ideal as a life raft for a large group of people, along with being a water rescue device as well. As a life raft it could be towed by small crafts.

Deployed from a chopper and released, would provide a huge floating wall for someone in rapids. Once they catch on, either end is simply caught and towed ashore. Would work the same for open ocean situations with high waves.

Also this Spine would be able to go 100% vertical. It would be ideal for cliff rescues. Using the Spine rescuers could hang it and use it as a hanging ladder. If dangled on end by chopper it becomes a vertical rescue/extraction device.

The C.I.R.V.E.R. spine can be pouched on the under side of the dangling end to form a secure rescue basket. The basket itself would be made of cloth mesh.

As I stated, C.I.R.V.E.R. Spine would be made of rafting material, and should be baffled throughout, so punctures will mean next to nothing. Chain reaction valving can assure its inflation will not malfunction.The device will be covered in a protective cloth meshing, and can be secured with normal rope.

If covered in a cloth mesh that is secured onto the spine, this will have two advantages. It will help keep heavy boots, or ice, from damaging the rafting. And if someone is in frozen or rapid water, and loosing strength, once the Spine is guided in close to them, one hand of fingers entangled in a tight mesh would keep them afloat and give them a real chance at holding out longer.

It would give them something real to hold onto.

It would literally be like holding on to a very large floating snake. Further design options could ensure undulations similar to that of a snake in open water.

If the mesh is built into one side and tied on the other, it can be untied to create a large floating net.

As the C.I.R.V.E.R. Spine can be simply wrapped around an upright post on wheels for storage, it could be deployed by two average people. No waiting on back up or heavier equipment.

Simply line it up correctly, remove wheel base. Secure it. Inflate.

No more brave firemen trying to crawl or creep across unstable ice.

Firehouses in areas where water freezes every year can store these devices in one corner to have them always ready. Areas known to suffer high casualties from frozen water accidents can keep these on hand and greatly improve their chances of succesful rescue.

Once rescue has been complete you simply deflate it, dry it out, and using the post, roll it up. Re-attach the wheels, and put it back into a locker.

All of it will float above water. The single and crossed joints would stablize the Spine and make chances of flipping or rapid wash buckle almost none. Further design options could eliminate roll or wash buckle entirely.

And because of its design, the C.I.R.V.E.R. Spine is also a possible solution to situations in high rise buildings in crisis. (With a custom designed cabling system, of course).

C.I.R.V.E.R. Spine is a piece of heavy equipment with none of the space, manpower, malfunction, or mobility issues found in other devices. It can replace many other heavy devices, as well as maintain its' original usefullness.

I appreciate your intrest in the C.I.R.V.E.R. Spine.

Hopefully it can be developed into a real solution to save lives.

Thank You.

UPDATE: Smaller scale models being considered for home flood/fire equipment.



Still Finding Ways To Use It...Developing.