When it comes to swiftwater rescue, spine safety is the most crucial and most difficult thing to ensure. In the fall of 2007, three VirginiaTech students rose to the challenge in a class assignment, developing Hydrospine, a rescue harness that "provides proper spine immobilization, self-righting to face-up flotation, and protection from water hazards."


Final Hydrospine design, source: www.vt.edu

Based on a great deal of testing with a class of swiftwater rescuers in order to discover their real needs and obtain their recommendations, Hydrospine incorporates a flotation materials and a spine board into a quick and easy to use device.

Source: www.vt.edu

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