Sergio Alvarez
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ABS Shell Vest

The objective is to design and develop a product that will help individuals survive a snow disaster. ABS Shell Vest is one of UST’s new products that will help the user survive an avalanche or a collision in the snow. The vest’s padded shell will prevent internal injuries when impacting a solid surface. The tracking device serves as an anchor to deploy the airbag that can prevent the user from being buried under the snow. The ABS Shell Vest has been created with protective gear such as airbags and transmitters which allow the vest to save the lives of those in a snow crisis.

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What happens during an avalanche

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Snow boarding in low populated areas can be dangerous due to the difficulty of finding help when needed. Colliding with a tree, falling, and becoming unconscious can lead to serious complications due to the cold weather. Ninety percent of avalanches happen on slopes between 30 and 45 degrees, since snow does not generally accumulate on mountains with steeper slopes. Avalanches occur when the pull of gravity is stronger than the strength of the snow. Being buried in the snow is dangerous and deadly, if the victim is not assisted within the first 15 minutes.

 

A nice day to snowboard turns into the worst day ever

 
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During an avalanche the victim encounters several obstacles such as hitting trees and rocks which can cause serious injuries. The victim will collide and roll downhill once the snow hits them. The victim will be buried under the snow and will be fighting against the clock to save themselves.

 

Survival Statistics and Research During an Avalanche 

 
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    Stastictics show that only 25% of the victims that are completely buried will survive an avalanche. There is a 50% chance of being dug out alive with in the first 30 minutes, if found. Also, 92% of the victims buried will survive, if rescued within 15 minutes, but only 27% of the victims will be alive within 35 minutes. After 10 minutes the victim will encounter brain damage.

 
 

Collaborating with three companies and producing one product 

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UST

UST Brands has provided reliable and affordable problem-solving gear. This brand offers products for survival situations and emergency preparedness.

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ABS The Avalanche Air Bag

The canister used to deploy the airbags is filled with compressed nitrogen gas, which has a quick expansion rate and the best performance in extreme temperatures.

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Back Country Access

The Tracker DTS incorporates a rapid processing system that makes emergencies much easier to handle with a touch of a button.

Understanding the human body and fabrics 

 

The vest is composed of an outer shell connected to the a compact airbag system, which fits between the inner and outer lining of the vest. The hard shell must feel and be appealing to all genders. The ejection pin must be ergonomic and work as a Transmitter. The ejection pin has several buttons that will signal alert the family and the rescue team.

 
 

Using fabric to it the body

Based on the concepts I generated, I used fabric to lay on top of the mannequin. 

 

Functional Prototypes for testing and body fit 

 

The first functional mock up I used EVA foam to simulate the padding. I did not use fabric on this model because I wanted to know the size of each component. The second model I used more realistic materials with thicker EVA foam and I wrapped the foam with fabric. The inner vest was sewn with canvas. 

 
 

Inflating the vest 

 

The vest will protect the front, back, and side of the torso with the padded shell. The vests slim design will increase the users upper body mobility  with out restricting motion.  The canister are placed on the side  along the waist line. Once the vest is deployed it will protect the neck area and keep the user above the snow level. The air bag will prevent the user from being buried under the snow. 

 
 

Key Benefits of Survival

 

Using the ABS Shell Vest

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Have a safe ride!

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