Augmenting a Firefighters PPE -- Gas Mask SCBA

TL;DR

This paper presents a prototype that enhances firefighter PPE by integrating a heads-up display and auditory signals into their gas masks, aiming to improve navigation and communication during search and rescue operations.

Contribution

The authors designed and implemented a novel interface that augments firefighter gas masks with visual and auditory cues using Google Glass and LED lights.

Findings

Improved firefighter situational awareness

Enhanced communication during rescue operations

Prototype demonstrates feasibility of integrated display system

Abstract

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) has allowed firefighters to perform their everyday tasks without getting harmed since the mid 1800s. Now, the advancement of technology has given rise to the improvements of PPE. PPE can now include sensors to detect any number of environmental hazards (chemical, biological, temperature etc.). As the GT class of CS3750, we have decided to create a version of an interface design sensor that will help firefighters in two ways: navigation and communication. In order to augment a firefighter display when they are within a building, we chose to augment their SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus). The gas mask will include a small screen that displays vital information directly towards the firefighter without need of any other support. We used the Google Glass to display vital information directly towards the eye in a minimalistic manner, while also augmenting that by adding LED lights to simulate someone calling their name or other auditory signals.While our prototype focuses on two main components of a firefighters search and rescue in a building, both of them combine to augment a firefighters display when searching throughout a building to help improve accuracy, speed and overall experience.