Absolute Zero has been working hard to develop our awesome project innovation. After brainstorming ideas about possible problem areas in our community, we decided to reach out to the local Fire & EMS department to see what problems they had and how we could help.
We learned that one major problem for EMS workers was transporting patients on stretchers with ease in the snow. We took this problem and began to work!
We realized that many places that receive tons of snow have access to things like snowmobiles and pull behind stretchers; however, since we do not receive large enough amounts of snow yearly, it would not make fiscal sense to purchase a snowmobile.
Our area receives 10-15 inches of snow yearly, and during this time our EMS workers struggle to reach patients due to the lack of mobility with the stretcher wheels in inclement weather. Many people do not shovel their driveways until 24 hours after the snow has stopped. However, during this time when there are calls, it is very difficult for EMS workers to navigate these uncleared walkways to reach patients without injury or incident.
Our solution is to create a ski-like adaptation to attach to any traditional EMS stretcher.
The Wheel-2-Ski is made of two snowboards with 3D printed wheel holders and a 3D printed vice grip locking system to keep the skis attached.
This simple adaptation will allow EMS workers to put the skis on the ground, lower the stretcher wheels into the wheel holders, and then lock into place. Once locked into place the Wheel-2-Ski is ready to slide!
The Wheel-2-Ski will also have an emergency brake in the form of a spike to ensure that the stretcher does not slide away when it is stationary.
The Wheel-2-Ski will provide EMS workers with less strenuous calls, safety from injury, and quicker call times.
Our hope is that our solution will help areas like Martinsville, Virginia, to allow EMS workers to have a better tool to do their jobs during inclement weather.
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| Firefighter Todd Owen working with Absolute Zero to share the challenges Emergency Responders have when it snows and how patients are transported. |
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| The stretcher we are basing our project around. |
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| Learning how a stretcher works. |
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| Gathering notes from our brainstorming session to put into action. |
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| Conducting research on weather and the needs of those who call for Emergency assistance. |
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| With research in the final stages, it's time to start our project board. |
