A fall detection and alert system and associated methods are described. The system includes a right footwear item and a left footwear item, each of which includes foot pressure sensors, communications circuitry configured to transmit foot pressure signals from the pressure sensors to a mobile device, such as a smartphone, and a power source. The system also includes an application for the mobile device that causes the mobile device to receive transmitted foot pressure signals from the communications circuitry of the footwear, analyze the foot pressure signals to determine whether a wearer of the footwear items has fallen, display a warning if it is determined that the wearer of the footwear items has fallen, along with an option to cancel the warning, and send a signal to a caregiver if the warning has not been canceled within a predetermined period of time.

An operating handle for an avalanche rescue system, with at least one functional element, is arranged to be coupled to the at least one functional element of the avalanche rescue system. The operating handle is used to trigger the functional element. The operating handle is designed on one end as a mouthpiece or embodies such a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece of the operating handle can be coupled to a ventilation functional unit.

An operating handle for an avalanche rescue system, with at least one functional element, is arranged to be coupled to the at least one functional element of the avalanche rescue system. The operating handle is used to trigger the functional element. The operating handle is designed on one end as a mouthpiece or embodies such a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece of the operating handle can be coupled to a ventilation functional unit.

The invention is directed to an airbag system and, more particularly, to such a system employed as a rescue or life-saving system to enable a person to survive an avalanche, for example. In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to an airbag system utilized with a backpack to be worn by a skier, snowboarder, hiker, or snowmobiler, for example. Instead of relying upon compressed gas cartridges or cylinders to inflate the airbag(s), the invention inflates the airbag(s) with ambient air only. In a particular embodiment, air is supplied to the airbag by means of a battery-powered electrical motor.

The invention is directed to an airbag system and, more particularly, to such a system employed as a rescue or life-saving system to enable a person to survive an avalanche, for example. In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to an airbag system utilized with a backpack to be worn by a skier, snowboarder, hiker, or snowmobiler, for example. Instead of relying upon compressed gas cartridges or cylinders to inflate the airbag(s), the invention inflates the airbag(s) with ambient air only. In a particular embodiment, air is supplied to the airbag by means of a battery-powered electrical motor.

A method of inflating an airbag includes expanding a collapsed or folded frame that supports and expands the airbag. The expansion of the airbag creates a lower pressure in the interior of the airbag as compared to the exterior, which allows air to be drawn into the airbag due to the lower pressure to fill the airbag. The frame can be made from inflatable ribs, or the frame can be made from interconnecting rigid members. The inflatable ribs can be inflated using a compressed gas canister, while the frame made from rigid members can be expanded using a spring. Filling a frame made from inflatable ribs, as opposed to the airbag itself allows for a smaller compressed gas canister.

A backpack including a body including a first enclosure defining a first compartment and an opening, an inflatable balloon positioned within the compartment, a zipper, a balloon inflation system, and an actuator. The first enclosure includes at least a first restricting element. The zipper includes first and second fastener tapes attached to the enclosure at the opening. The zipper includes at least a first targeted zipper separation location aligned with the first restricting element. The balloon inflation system is coupled to the body and the inflatable balloon. The actuator is operably coupled to the balloon inflation system, such that upon actuation of the inflation system with the zipper in a closed position, the first restricting element concentrates a zipper separation force in a direction generally perpendicular to an engagement line of the zipper to separate the first and second fastener tapes of the zipper at the first targeted zipper location.

A backpack including a body including a first enclosure defining a first compartment and an opening, an inflatable balloon positioned within the compartment, a zipper, a balloon inflation system, and an actuator. The first enclosure includes at least a first restricting element. The zipper includes first and second fastener tapes attached to the enclosure at the opening. The zipper includes at least a first targeted zipper separation location aligned with the first restricting element. The balloon inflation system is coupled to the body and the inflatable balloon. The actuator is operably coupled to the balloon inflation system, such that upon actuation of the inflation system with the zipper in a closed position, the first restricting element concentrates a zipper separation force in a direction generally perpendicular to an engagement line of the zipper to separate the first and second fastener tapes of the zipper at the first targeted zipper location.

A portable device for inflating an inflatable bag (60) comprises at least one inlet (46), for forming a fluid connection to a gas source. The gas source is attached or attachable to the inlet. The device further comprises an air intake chamber (32) which has an opening allowing atmospheric air to be admitted and an outlet intended to be connected to the bag to be inflated. The gas source comprises a first and at least a different second gas component. The first component is stored at least partially in liquid form; preferably, the first component is carbon dioxide. The gas source contains at least 10%, preferably more than 30% and most preferably more than 60% of the first component. The second component is gaseous or supercritical at a temperature of 243K and up to a pressure of 200 bar, preferably, the second component has a critical temperature below 243K.

A portable device for inflating an inflatable bag (60) comprises at least one inlet (46), for forming a fluid connection to a gas source. The gas source is attached or attachable to the inlet. The device further comprises an air intake chamber (32) which has an opening allowing atmospheric air to be admitted and an outlet intended to be connected to the bag to be inflated. The gas source comprises a first and at least a different second gas component. The first component is stored at least partially in liquid form; preferably, the first component is carbon dioxide. The gas source contains at least 10%, preferably more than 30% and most preferably more than 60% of the first component. The second component is gaseous or supercritical at a temperature of 243K and up to a pressure of 200 bar, preferably, the second component has a critical temperature below 243K.