TESTCENTRE
RescuEAN Pod
To the Rescue ...
While there can be no substitute for a bona fide oxygen administration kit , there may be circumstances when this essential life-saving equipment is either unavailable or depleted . With many divers using high concentration Nitrox mixes and in the case of CCR diving , 100 % oxygen , this can actually provide a ready and available emergency alternative .
In the case of an unconscious or semiunconscious diver , there still remains the problem of how to supply the casualty with a constant stream of gas . The RescuEAN pod is a simple but effective solution , conceived by dive buddies Martin Kerley and Chris Wood .
Designed to bridge the gap between First Response and conventional emergency oxygen administration , the pod works on the theory that any form of enriched air is more beneficial to the casualty than the standard 21 %. In the case of Nitrox , it ’ s recommended that the highest concentration available is used first while if a rebreather is on site then 100 % oxygen can be given immediately .
Lightweight , compact and corrosionresistant , the robust device is manufactured from ABS plastic , nylon and 316 marine grade stainless steel , with O ² medical-grade O-rings throughout . The bright ‘ Solas ’ orange cylindrical pod is around the size of a canned soft drink and consists of three main component parts .
At one side ( protected by a rubber cover when not in use ) is a standard low-pressure connector . Alternative stem / couplers can also be fitted if that ’ s not compatible with your kit configuration . The opposite end ( also fitted with a rubber protector ) features a second connector suitable for push-on medical O ² tubing .
The centre section of the pod houses a sprung plunger with three legible digits located around its barrel : 0 ( zero ), 15 ( litres / min ) and 25 ( l / m ). Simply rotating this centre section and aligning the number with a corresponding mark allows the relevant flow rate to be selected with a reassuring click .
It ’ s very quick to deploy : flip open the rubber covers , connect your Low-Pressure hose at one end and medical tubing at the other . Before use , it ’ s important to remove any dust or water that may have entered the system , so once connected turn to the 0 ( off ) position switch to 25l / m to purge and you ’ re done .
Start off with the 15l / m flow rate , then if you feel circumstances dictate its necessity , simply twist the barrel and switch to the 25l / m setting . Changing cylinders when exhausted is ‘ plug-and-play ’ fast and efficient . On a charter or club boat there should be plenty of gas to go around , until such time as the emergency services arrive on the scene .
Available as a standalone pod (£ 75 ) or with various different mask configurations (£ 87.50 - £ 110 ), the pod can be stowed on a boat , left on shore or even carried during the dive in a BCD pocket . After use , all that ’ s required is a rinse in fresh water , a quick purge and it ’ s ready to go again .
Neil Hope
SCUBA SAYS
Particularly suited to technical or rebreather divers with access to 100 % oxygen or high O ² concentration stage cylinders , RescuEAN ’ s compact pod offers an alternative source of emergency gas for a diving casualty . However , we should underline it is no substitute for a proper , well maintained oxygen administration set .
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