Student invents device to help prevent people die from smoke inhalation

Emergency Mask Pod consists of 3D printing case that contains a mask that protects the lungs of someone trapped in a fire until they were rescued.

In 2013, the student read about a story about a mother who had to drop her two-year-old son from the second story of a burning building in order to save him from dying from some inhalation.

This made Alexis think that had to be a better way. So she started to think about how to come up with a device that would transport the mask that would protect the lungs of someone trapped in a fire until they are evacuated from the spot.

While researching for this solution, Alexis realised that the problem was getting the mask to the person in need. Because no matter how quickly the first responders get to the scene, they are not prepared to safely enter a burning building. So the inventor started looking at projectile launchers, such as pneumatic launchers. The student tested these methods by using sports mascots, who often shoot t-shirts and towels into the crowd. She created 3D printing hand projectiles and tested them with firefighters, realising that throwing was more accurate than shooting. The innovation can be thrown into an open second-story window with 70 percent accuracy from a close, but safe, distance.

Emergency Mask Pod is a plastic, 3D printing device, football-shaped case that can hold the Emergency Mask, plus act as additional protection to keep smoke out of users' eyes.

The full package of this solution contemplates also a glow stick, which makes the user more visible in a smoky room.

Alexis presented this product at a firefighter convention and a lot of veteran firefighters liked it. She is now working towards having the gadget mass produced and distributed across the country.

Adapted from: https://bit.ly/2JEvDMh

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