AVALANCHE SAFETY VEST

Abstract: An avalanche safety device comprises a wearable garment, which incorporates a pressurized source of brightly coloured fluidized dye such as coloured talcum powder. A user actuated valve releases the pressurized substance through a valve which discharges the substance with the relative force. The discharged dyed substance colours the snow in a region surrounding the user, which greatly assists in the localization of the user, in the event that the user is buried within a snow avalanche. The dyed substance may be charged by means of a separate propellent cartridge, which combines with a dyed substance in a venturi effect or direct propulsion within a linking conduit between the dyed substance and the propellent. The garment may take the form of a vest or any other suitable garment.

Description: AVALANCHE SAFETY VEST Field of the Invention The present invention relates to safety equipment for use in avalanche-prone regions. In particular, the invention relates to a garment which when worn by a victim of an avalanche, assists in a rescue operation. Background of the Invention Safety equipment which accompanies individuals such as skiers, hikers and mountain climbers who are travelling in avalanche-prone regions must meet several key objectives. First and foremost, the equipment must assist in the speedy localization of a victim trapped in an avalanche. It frequently occurs in a snow avalanche that a victim is buried under the snow and may survive only for a relatively short period of time before being overcome by lack of oxygen. As well, an avalanche will typically displace a victim some distance from his starting point, making it difficult to find the victim. One rescue device which is frequently used by back country skiers and mountaineers is a so called "avalanche beacon" which consists of a radio frequency transmitter and receiver unit worn by each member of a skiing/climbing party. This equipment does not always provide a rapid rescue, particularly if the victim is displaced some distance. As well, there is always the possibility of a malfunction in either the transmitter or the receiver units. There is thus a need for a means to very quickly locate the position of an avalanche victim. A further requirement within rescue devices of this type is that they be acceptable for use by sports people such as mountaineers, skiers and the like. In other words, they must be relatively light in weight, durable, and comfortable to wear. Ideally, such devices are relatively simple to fabricate in order to minimize costs and decrease the risks of product failure. As well, they should be simple to use, both by the victim and the rescuer. The victim should be required to perform only at most a very simple procedure to activate the device. From the perspective of the rescuer, the device should be capable of localizing the victim with a minimum of skill and training. The approach taken within the present invention is to provide a visible marker which is activated by the avalanche victim. This approach has the benefit that a suitable visible marker may be visible from some distance off, thereby greatly reducing the time required to find a victim. Conveniently, such a system may be used in combination with a conventional avalanche beacon transponder system, to provide further localization abilities once the general position of the victim has been found using a visible marker type of system. Summary of the Invention The present invention is in general terms a device worn or carried by a user, which employs as a visible marker a coloured dye in the form of a fluid, which may be ejected from the device by an avalanche victim. The dye provides a readily visible marker to show the location of the victim. Ideally, the device should be used in conjunction with a conventional avalanche beacon. In accordance with the objectives defined above, the invention comprises in one aspect an avalanche locator device, comprising a wearable garment having incorporated into the garment: a source of propellent such as a cartridge charged with C0 2 or other gas; a source of fluidized dye associated with said propellent; a valve means associated with said propellent and dye; user actuatabie valve release means; and a nozzle means directed exteriorly of said garment, in fluid connection with said valve means. Preferably, the garment comprises a vest. The fluidized dye may comprise a finely divided dyed powder such as talcum powder, or alternatively a liquid dye mixture. Preferably, the dye propellent is separate from the fluidized dye, and in fluid communication therewith by means of a conduit. The valve means is in fluid communication with the conduit. The dye is combined with the propellent by means of a venturi effect or direct propulsion upon release of propellent from the gas cartridge. Alternatively, the dye and propellent are in a common charged container. For minimizing malfunction, dual containers of said propellent and/or said dyed substance are preferably provided, and the nozzle means comprises multiple nozzle openings. The invention comprises in another aspect a method for locating an avalanche victim in a rescue operation, comprising the steps of: providing a wearable garment which incorporates a pressurized source of fluidized dye, user actuatable valve means and a nozzle means in fluid connection with said valve means and said pressurized source; actuating the valve means, thereby directing a spray of said fluidized dye through said nozzle means; creating within the volume of snow adjacent said user, a region of snow dyed a visible colour by said fluidized dye; and identifying the vicinity of said user by reference to said dyed region of snow. Having thus described the invention in general terms, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 illustrates the present invention in perspective view; Figure 2 schematically illustrates the mechanical components of the invention; Figure 3 illustrates the invention worn by user; Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view along line a-a of Figure 1. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments An avalanche safety vest 10 according to the present invention is shown generally at Figure 1 , and comprises in general terms an adjustable harness 12, to which is attached a wearable vest portion 14. The harness 12, which may be fabricated from nylon webbing or the like, consists of a waist strap 16 for extending around the sternum region of a wearer 20, to which is attached a vertical back strap 22. The harness is adjustable to accommodate persons of different sizes. The vest portion 14 extends over the wearer's shoulders and fastens to the waist strap 16 and back strap 22. The vest comprises two vertical breast portions 28 joined by a collar 30. The breast portion, which preferably is fabricated from a brightly covered, heavy duty nylon fabric, has an exterior and an interior layer 32(a) and (b) with a space therebetween which forms an envelope within which the mechanical portion of the apparatus is retained. Turning to the mechanical portion retained within the interior of the vest, the dye propellent arrangement comprises essentially two components, namely a propellent and a dye source. The propellent comprises one or more gas filled cartridges 34, such as C0 2 cartridges, which are retained within a first breast portion 32(a) of the vest. The cartridges may each comprise a standard 38 gram cartridge, and are approximately 25 x 100 millimetres in dimension. Preferably, dual cartridges are provided. It will be seen that any suitable propellent may be used in place of C0 2 . Retained within the hollow interior of the opposing breast portion 32(b) of the vest are one or more dye cannisters 36 which are filled with a fluidized dye mixture. The term "fluidized" refers to the substance existing in a substantially fluid form, which may comprise either a liquid or a fine powder. A dye in the form of a fine powder is preferable, since this is not subject to freezing or viscosity problems in cold weather. Preferably, the dye is of a fluorescent colour which immediately and dramatically contrasts with the surrounding snow for achieving a rapid rescue operation. Conveniently, the powder comprises a fluorescent-coloured talcum powder. The dye cannisters and propellent cartridges are linked within the vest by a conduit 40, which extends through the interior of the vest. A mixing chamber 44 is in fluid communication with the dye cannisters 36 and propellent cartridges 34, and mixes the dye with the propellent upon triggering of the propellent. The mixing chamber is associated with a valve 48, which when in the opened position releases the propellent. The valve is operable by a cord 49, which in turn has a lanyard 50 at the free end, for operation by the user. A safety switch 52 associated with the valve prevents inadvertent release during periods of non-use. Typically, the safety switch will be released when the user is travelling within an avalanche zone. In another version, the pressurized source of dyed substance may comprise a pressurized cannister containing both the propellent and the fluidized dye. Preferably, two such cannisters are provided, to minimize the risk of failure of the device. The charged cartridge may contain a pressurizing gas such as C0 2 and a dyed substance in the form of a finally divided powder such as talcum powder, which conveniently is dyed a fluorescent colour. Alternatively, the charged cartridge may contain a liquid-based dye. Alternatively, another configuration has a set of dye cannisters and propellent cartridges retained within a first breast portion of the vest, on one side of the vest and a second set of dye cannisters and propellent cartridges are retained in a corresponding pocket within the second side of the vest. Each propellent/dye pair is in fluid communication, and discharges via a conduit communicating a valve nozzle. The dye is ejected from the vest through one or more nozzles 56 which extend upwardly from the vest at the rear collar portion. Preferably, multiple nozzle openings 58 are provided in order to minimize failure due to a blockage of one nozzle, for example by an article of clothing. As well, the multiple nozzles may point in several different directions to ensure that regardless of the user's orientation when trapped in snow, a jet will be directed generally upwardly. The dye contained within the cartridge preferably comprises coloured talcum powder or other fine powder capable of fluid behaviour under pressure. Conveniently, the dye cannisters contain in total approximately one litre capacity. In any event, the volume of dye must allow discharge of dye/propellent to last at least one minute. The cord 48 and lanyard 50 exit the vest through an opening in the exterior vest layer 32(a). The lanyard may either dangle freely, or be retained within a pocket 60 in the vest. For safety purposes, it is preferable that the lanyard dangle freely, for quick access by a user. In use, an individual trapped within an avalanche triggers the device by a sharp tug to the lanyard, which in turn releases a high pressure stream of propellent from the propellent cartridges, which enters the mixing chamber. Dye is drawn into the mixing chamber either via a venturi effect created by the action of the propellent or alternatively, the dye cannister is itself pressurized and the dye is propelled directly into the mixing chamber from the dye cannister. The dyed particulates are then ejected through the nozzle with a relatively high pressure and high velocity spray. The dye forms a coloured region within the snow, and quickly reveals to a searcher the general location of the user. The system is preferably triggered by a user as he is being swept downhill by an avalanche. This will indicate to a rescuer the general path taken by the victim. As well, it increases the likelihood that at least a portion of dyed snow will be visible at the surface of the snow pack. Alternatively, a user at rest, buried within an avalanche may trigger the device. The device is intended to be used in the conjunction with radio beacons that are standard equipment for avalanche victim detection. By focussing the radio beacon search in the area of dye stained snow, the victim can be recovered more rapidly, with the resultant improvement in the probability of survival. The fluid employed within the dye cartridges may alternatively comprise a liquid- based dye. Any liquid selected for this purpose must have a relatively low viscosity and a low freezing point, since the device is intended for use in winter conditions, which in mountain regions may involve extreme cold temperatures. It will be seen that although the preferred embodiment takes the form of a vest, any suitable garment may be adapted to retain the dye releasing apparatus. For example, the garment may take the form of a belt or a strap surrounding the midriff of a user, or alternatively a jacket or a pocket which may be fastened to another garment worn by the user.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. An avalanche locator device, of the type characterized by a portable arrangement for alerting rescuers to the location of a victim, characterized by: a wearable garment (10) having incorporated therein: a source of propellent (34); a source of fluidized dye (36) associated with said propellent; a valve means (48) associated with said propellent and dye; user actuatable valve release means (49); and a nozzle means (46) directed exteriorly of said garment, in fluid connection with said valve means. 2. An article as defined in claim 1 , wherein said garment comprises a vest. 3. An article as defined in claim 1 , wherein said source of propellent comprises a gas-filled cartridge. 4. An article as defined in claim 1 , wherein said fluidized dye source comprises a finely divided dyed powder. 5. An article as defined in claim 4, wherein said powder comprises talcum powder. 6. An article as defined in claim 1 , wherein said propellent is in a separate container from said fluidized dye, and in fluid communication with said dye by means of a conduit (40), said valve means being in fluid communication with said conduit, whereby said dye is combined with said propellent by means of a venturi effect and/or direct propulsion following release of said propellent from said propellent source. 7. An article as defined in claim 1 , wherein dual containers of said propellent and/or said dyed substance are provided. 8. An article as defined in claim 2, wherein said propellent and dye are provided in cartridges retained within at least one pocket (32(a) and 32(b)) formed within said vest. 9. An article as defined in claim 8, wherein a first propellent cartridge is retained within a first breast pocket and a first dye cartridge in fluid communication with said propellent cartridge is retained within a second breast pocket on an opposed breast side of said vest. 10. An article as defined in claim 8, wherein a first of said dye and propellent cartridges are in fluid communication and are retained within a single breast pocket on a first side of said vest. 11. An article as defined in claim 10, wherein a second of said dye and propellent cartridges are retained within a second opposed side of said vest and are in fluid communication. 12. An article as defined in claim 1 , wherein said propellent and said dye are provided within a single pressurized container. 13. An article as defined in claim 1 , wherein said nozzle means comprises multiple nozzle openings (58). 14. A method for locating a victim trapped in an avalanche or debris flow, in a rescue operation, of the type comprising the steps of providing a portable means to alert rescuers to the location of an avalanche victim and activating said means, characterized by the steps of: providing as said portable means, a wearable garment (10) which incorporates a pressurized source of fluidized dye (36), user actuatable valve means (48) and a nozzle means (46) in fluid connection with said valve means and said pressurized source; actuating said valve means, when a user is trapped within an avalanche or is about to be trapped thereby directing a spray of said fluidized dye through said nozzle means; creating within the volume of snow adjacent said user, a region of snow dyed a visible colour by said fluidized dye; and identifying the vicinity of said user by reference to said dyed region of snow. 15. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein said dye is coloured a fluorescent colour. 16. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein said garment comprises a vest.

Inventors: BILAK ROMAN, BILAK, ROMAN
Applicants: BILAK ROMAN, MOUNTAIN WATCH INC, BILAK, ROMAN, MOUNTAIN WATCH INC.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: G08B
IPC codes: A62B33