Design of Flood Search and Rescue Equipment

What it does

Solves bulky storage/slow deployment of traditional rescue boats: Capsule-shaped suitcase (wheels/retractable handle) stores supplies/paddle; transforms via rapid gas inflation (2-3 min) into 3-seat boat for escape/rescue.

Your inspiration

Inspired by Yingde City’s repeated flood disasters (forcing 30,000+ evacuations) and market gaps: traditional rescue boats are bulky, slow to deploy, and lack portability. Our solution integrates storage/mobility (capsule suitcase with wheels/retractable handle) and rapid deployment (auto-inflation in 2-3 min), transforming into a 3-person boat for immediate escape/rescue—addressing critical needs in flood-prone areas.

How it works

Technical Operation: 1. Storage: The compact polyethylene capsule case integrates wheels and a retractable handle for easy transport, with internal compartments storing emergency supplies and a foldable paddle. The unit contains a pre-packed PVC inflatable boat, compressed CO₂ cylinder, and rechargeable electric pump system. 2. Activation:Simply rotate the safety switch to initiate the process. This simultaneously releases the folded boat and triggers the inflation mechanism. 3. Inflation:The electric pump automatically engages, drawing CO₂ from the cylinder to inflate the 0.55mm PVC boat through optimized air channels. Full inflation completes in just 2-3 minutes. 4. Deployment:The ready-to-use boat features boarding ropes and reflective safety strips. Transport components (wheels/handle) detach and stow onboard. 5. Usage:The telescoping paddle extends instantly for navigation. After use, the manual deflation valve allows compact repacking.

Design process

Design Process: 1. Research & Conceptualization: Analyzed flood rescue challenges in Yingde City with frequent evacuations, identifying bulky traditional boats and slow deployment as key issues. Defined core requirements: portability, rapid response, and 3-person capacity. Explored five concepts through sketches before selecting the capsule form for optimal storage and mobility. 2. Prototype Development: - First Prototype:3D-printed capsule case with manual pump. Issues:10+ minute inflation; paddle mechanism failure. - Second Prototype:Polyethylene case with CO₂/electric pump (5-min inflation), retractable handle/wheels, and safety switch. Issues:Boat valve leaks; unstable wheel detachment. - Final Prototype: - Upgraded to 0.55mm PVC with reinforced valves - Quick-release wheel/handle mounts - Button-activated paddle mechanism Achievements:2-3 min inflation; 50+ reuses; all components store onboard. 3. Validation: User tests confirmed sub-3-minute deployment. Material tests validated PVC durability and reflective strip visibility.

How it is different

Design Process: 1. Research & Conceptualization: Analyzed flood rescue challenges in Yingde City where over 30,000 evacuations occurred due to frequent flooding. Identified critical market gaps in existing solutions: bulky traditional boats and slow deployment systems. 2. Prototype Development: The final prototype implemented optimized 0.55mm PVC boat material with reinforced valves, quick-release mounting systems for wheels and handles, and an upgraded paddle locking mechanism using button-release technology. These refinements achieved the target 2-3 minute inflation time and enabled over 50 reuse cycles while maintaining compact storage. 3. Validation & Refinement: Rigorous user testing confirmed the sub-3-minute deployment capability and validated the onboard storage solution for detached components. Material testing proved the PVC's durability and the effectiveness of reflective safety strips for visibility in emergency situations.

Future plans

Future Development: Further develop intelligent features like GPS positioning and waterproof distress signaling to enhance rescue coordination. Optimize materials for lighter weight and lower costs to improve accessibility in rural areas. Expand functionality with modular kits for medical/fire scenarios and explore sustainable inflation systems. Pursue certifications for mass production and partner with disaster-response agencies for real-world deployment.

Awards