By Richard Bailey, Chief Executive, Aire Group - Inflatable Buildings and Workshops
SubscribePIONEERING rescue equipment used by the 999 services is now used by an all-terrain army vehicle.
The Airebag comes with its own pneumatic supply and is used by emergency services worldwide to prop up unsafe debris in collapsed buildings or stabilise crashed vehicles in the aftermath of road accidents so casualties can be safely extricated.
But now the armed forces, private companies and off-road enthusiasts are discovering the Airebag can get them out of tricky spots quickly and safely.
The six-wheeled Supacat used by the army is designed to travel over the toughest terrain, but there is always the slight risk it can get stuck.
Freeing it used to involve digging and shoring – basically back-breaking work which could take ages – but no more. For each Supacat now has an Airebag low pressure bag on board to lift it clear from trouble.
If the Supacat gets stuck, the bag is popped underneath and then – here comes the really clever part – is inflated using an air compressor already fitted to its air suspension as standard!
The bag is designed to mould to the underneath of the vehicle and easily lifts the Supacat clear as it inflates up to 4ft. Then pop soft ground tiles beneath the wheels and away you go.
The Supacat is powered by six-wheel drive that features an advanced suspension system. Its versatile towing capability means it is ideal for the armed forces worldwide. Supacat Ltd was formed 22 years ago and is based at Honiton in Devon.
Aire Group Chief Executive Richard Bailey said: “The Airebags we supply have proved themselves countless times with the emergency services after disasters ranging from earthquakes to collapsed buildings and car crashes. They are vital life-saving equipment.
“Clearly it is crucial when dealing with long or heavy vehicles to make sure you have the right lifting gear for the job. Airebags give people total confidence and takes out any element of danger.’’
The Airebag comes with a compressed air bottle so they can be inflated from a safe distance or can be used with compressors. When not in use, they fold in half and have a carrying handle.
The Airebag is also being used by caravan parks to free caravans that have sunk deep into mud or soft grass. They are lifted out in minutes, saving hours and sometimes days of potentially dangerous work.
Gareth Brown, general manager for Park Resort’s Lower Hyde Holiday Park at Shanklin on the Isle Of Wight, said: “When caravans sink they usually go up to their axle. The problem is caravans have got wider and longer, but the chassis has remained the same size, so to dig them out someone usually has to get right under the caravan.
“This can be dangerous. As they dig and fill the hole with concrete or wooden blocks, there is a danger the caravan will collapse on top of them. It’s sheer luck up to now that someone has not ended up trapped beneath one.
“Sometimes it can take a couple of days to dig a caravan free. It’s a laborious, time-consuming job and the problem of sinking caravans happens on just about every caravan park countrywide.’’
He added: “Modern static caravans can weigh up to six tons and all the weight falls on to very narrow wheels – sometimes the tyres are just five inches wide. That’s why there is always the danger of them sinking and it’s such a common problem.
“Using the old jacks was also a problem because the jacking points are very narrow, often only a couple of inches across.
“The Airebag is about 4ft by 2ft so as it inflates it moulds itself under the caravan and has a large lifting and support area.
“The Airebag makes life so much easier and safer for us. It removes the risk completely. It folds away and we now carry it on the park’s tractor.
If a caravan has sunk, all we have to do is slip the bag underneath, stand well clear and then inflate it from a safe distance using a compressor that’s also on the tractor.
“The caravan is righted and ready to be moved within 10 minutes. From a health and safety point of view it’s so much safer and far quicker. Until now it could take us days to move a caravan in wet ground conditions.’’
