AIR- Test Results

Emergency A.I.R. (Always In Reach) Test Results

Scope; To test the A.I.R. product in a controlled environment using all facets of Lifeguard Training.

Test Results:

Donning; The unit went on relatively quickly regardless of user being bare-armed, wearing a rashguard, or wearing a wetsuit. It takes less time to put on than a set of fins.

*The one issue I did find was with our Beach Patrol Officers. I asked them to try out the A.I.R. units during on of their PWC training sessions in relatively rough water. They were able to use the A.I.R. for a simulated submerged swimmer recovery with great success. They used both the regular and extreme versions. (The extreme version adds an extra armband.) They loved the unit and will be using them this season. The issue for some of the officers was the size of the armband. A few of them had larger than average biceps, which prevented the armbands from closing. I have relayed this information to the inventor and he tells me this will be an easy fix.

Use; The unit is very easy to use. The user must remember to fully exhale before taking a breath from the canister to get the full benefit of the unit. The product has a very intuitive design that proved to be extremely natural to use. Many of my instructors simply put it on, dove to the bottom, and started using it without even asking how it worked. The armband is secure but forgiving. Even if you put the unit on in a hurry and do not position the canister perfectly, there is enough “give” in the armband to allow you to pull the canister to your mouth.

 Approaches; Using standard approach strokes we had no issues with entanglement. Both the Front Crawl and Breaststrokes could be preformed without incident. We also found that the unit was not a hindrance in open water while using the Butterfly stroke to get through the breakers.

With the A.I.R. in place, rescuers could perform all of their normal approach skills such as swimming, feet-first surface dives.

Spinal injury management; Performing rescues with Head-and-Chin Support and Head Splint techniques could be accomplished while wearing the A.I.R. unit without any negative impact on proper administration of either technique.

Rescues; All current, accepted methods for the American Red Cross and the United States Lifesaving Association were tested. These included but were not limited to; cross-chest-carry, chin tow, armpit tow, active & passive victim face up and face down, submerged victim, submerged spinal victim, multiple-victim rescue, reaching assist, throwing assist. We tested these rescues with rescue tubes and rescue buoys.

 The A.I.R. unit did not interfere with any rescue we attempted.

Findings; After reviewing our test results we came to the following conclusions. The A.I.R. unit does not interfere with a Lifeguard carrying out a rescue procedure. The very idea of having emergency air at your fingertips in an aquatic environment is the only selling point this unit needs. The additional facts that the A.I.R. doesn’t interfere with rescues coupled with a very inexpensive price point leads me to believe that all agencies should look into adding the A.I.R units to their arsenal of professional rescue equipment.

A note regarding victim recovery.

During the search, for lost or submerged swimmers I feel this unit could possibly be the difference between life and death for a victim. In the past, if you made contact visually or physically with a submerged swimmer you may have to surface to get another breath of air through the snorkel before completing a rescue. With the A.I.R. unit, if you make initial contact with a victim you can take a breath from the canister and complete the rescue.

Overview:

Location of tests; North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center

 1100 Second Ave South, North Myrtle Beach SC 29582

185,000-gallon competition pool with depths from 3-½ ft to 9 ft.

Instructor; Mark H. Horton – over 25 years of experience in Lifeguarding.

American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Trainer, American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainer, United States Lifesaving Association Lifeguard Instructor Trainer.