Office of Aerospace Medicine Technical Reports
FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-71/37
Title and Subtitle: Evaluation of an improved flotation device for infants and small children
Report Date: July 1971
Authors: McFadden EB, Young JW
Abstract: A simple, lightweight, life-support infant flotation device incorporating reliable self-righting, thermal protection and automatic self-ventilation is described This design concept utilizes prior data relative to the centers of gravity of infants and small children and exhibits excellent self righting. Thermal protection is incorporated through the use of insulative neoprene foam in construction of the submerged portion of the device.
Anesthetized adolescent primates exhibiting body weights and metabolic requirements equivalent to that of an infant or small child were used to test and confirm ventilatory capability as induced by air or water motion. An evaluation of the capability of the device to deter shark attack indicated that the infant flotation device, when occupied by anthropomorphic dummies or anesthetized primates, was less attractive to sharks than anthropomorphic dummies wearing a standard yellow color inflatable life vest.
Key Words: Flotation Device, Aircraft Ditching, Life Support, Survival
No. of Pages: 8
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-71/37
Title and Subtitle: Evaluation of an improved flotation device for infants and small children
Report Date: July 1971
Authors: McFadden EB, Young JW
Abstract: A simple, lightweight, life-support infant flotation device incorporating reliable self-righting, thermal protection and automatic self-ventilation is described This design concept utilizes prior data relative to the centers of gravity of infants and small children and exhibits excellent self righting. Thermal protection is incorporated through the use of insulative neoprene foam in construction of the submerged portion of the device.
Anesthetized adolescent primates exhibiting body weights and metabolic requirements equivalent to that of an infant or small child were used to test and confirm ventilatory capability as induced by air or water motion. An evaluation of the capability of the device to deter shark attack indicated that the infant flotation device, when occupied by anthropomorphic dummies or anesthetized primates, was less attractive to sharks than anthropomorphic dummies wearing a standard yellow color inflatable life vest.
Key Words: Flotation Device, Aircraft Ditching, Life Support, Survival
No. of Pages: 8
Last updated: Friday, June 1, 2012