IPN Emergency Transportation Systems

 

When the going gets really tough, get going with these IPN approved emergency transportation systems

Disasters and other emergencies often produce severe damage to buildings, bridges and roads that can make travel in normal vehicles difficult and in many cases impossible.  It may sometimes be necessary to utilize unorthodox specially designed vehicles to move safely and swiftly to safe areas.  This is why the IPN has created this section to feature and review the top emergency transportation systems designed for land, sea and air.

The vehicles highlighted in this section are chosen for their 1. Durability, 2. Ease of operation and repair (with easy to find parts) 3. Functionality in extreme environments, and 4. Last but not least, affordability.   For automobiles, the IPN prefers Diesel powered vehicles because they are more fuel efficient than their gas powered counterparts.  Subsequently, this allows the vehicle to travel longer distances on a tank of fuel than a gas powered motor.  Diesel engines are also much more durable and produce more torque allowing them to haul more weight.  They can also be adapted to run on vegetable oil and other natural oils see: http://greasecar.com/

During emergencies, regular gasoline may not be available and a vehicle that can utilize an alternative easily obtainable fuel is an extremely important feature that cannot be overlooked.  Diesel engines are noisier, can be hard to start in frigid weather and require more maintenance than gasoline engines but once you learn how to work through the “bugs.” the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.  This is especially true during disasters.

Land Transportation

As the number of Global Warming related superstorms increase in their number and magnitude, so will the frequency of flooding. 

If you would like your innovative land, sea or air emergency transportation system placed in this section, contact the IPN Executive Director Aton Edwards at aton@readyforanything.org and arrange to send info or samples for review.

Enter the 21^st century’s real –world personal transportation system … the Rode Dawg! 

An amphibious 4×4 truck based on an extremely durable Vietnam–era Chinese military truck design.  The truck design has been recently updated by an American manufacturer for the Chinese market and is currently being prepared for professional and civilian use in the United States. 

The Rodedawg has a 91 HP four cylinder, 2.77 L Isuzu 4JB1 turbocharged Diesel engine.  When it travels in the water, it is pushed by a rear propeller attached to the PTO shaft. Steering in the water and on land is done by manipulation of the front wheels as rudders with a power steering system.  

On land, the Rodedawg is a true beast.  It can handle a 45% grade without tipping over and is built tough with a rugged “mil-spec” suspension system built for punishment. 

The Rodedawg can be custom fit for many functions, from a Police/emergency rescue vehicle to a true-off road for the emergency preparedness minded consumer who desires the ultimate SUV experience. The Rodedawg is, unlike other more expensive amphibious ATV’s a real-world hybrid. Vehicles that use sophisticated articulation and hydraulics to raise their tires during water travel can be easily damaged during off road travel making safe water journeys difficult. The Rodedawg is at root, a military vehicle designed for harsh conditions making it the ideal amphibious utility vehicle.

 

The Rodedawg can be custom fit for many functions, from a Police/emergency rescue vehicle to a true-off road for the emergency preparedness minded consumer who desires the ultimate SUV experience.  The Rodedawg is, unlike other more expensive amphibious ATV’s a real-world hybrid.  Vehicles that use sophisticated articulation and hydraulics to raise their tires during water travel can be easily damaged during off road travel making safe water journeys difficult.  The Rodedawg is at root, a military vehicle designed for harsh conditions making it the ideal amphibious utility vehicle.

The Rodedawg is currently being marketed in three versions:

Sport Utility                          Truck Utility                       Convertible                 

If you would like your innovative land, sea or air emergency transportation system placed in this section, contact the IPN Executive Director Aton Edwards at aton@readyforanything.org and arrange to send info or samples for review.

The Sport Utility can be adapted for use as an emergency medical/rescue vehicle, light transport into disaster zones for Police departments, Red Cross Personnel, EMT’s & Paramedics, Security teams or customized for family use as a amphibious recreational vehicle.  The Truck and convertible can also be used by Police, rescue teams, and other emergency responders.  It also makes a great personal “getaway” vehicle that makes a “Hummer” seem ordinary in comparison. The IPN feels that the Rodedawg is the best all-around form of land transportation currently available.  It is perfect for flood-prone areas near rivers, lakes and beaches.  Not only is the Rodedawg extremely durable, it is also relatively inexpensive making it affordable for civilians and professional responders alike.

Amphibious transportation for civilians is now no longer limited to science-fiction movies like the 1970’s Damnation Alley featuring the futuristic “Landmaster”

Another smaller form of amphibious transportation is the six wheeled ATV.  They have been operating for many tears and arehighly useful form of emergency transportation that can move through mud, snow and water with relative ease. The model ured on this page is the “Conquest” 6X6 manufactured by Ontario Drive and Gear.

This is a durable, affordable easy to repair vehicle that the IPN highly recommends.  For more info go to http://www.odg.com/index.html  or, http://www.argoatv.com/

If you would like your innovative land, sea or air emergency transportation system placed in this section, contact the IPN Executive Director Aton Edwards at aton@readyforanything.org and arrange to send info or samples for review.

Water Transportation Systems

As discussed in the beginning of the land transportation systems section, global warming fueled storms will produce frequent and large floods around the world for many years to come.  In some cases, you may need an emergency vehicle that is especially made for water travel.  Inflatable boats are your best option.  They are easy to use, set up, store away and are relatively inexpensive.  They are successfully used by the military, and rescue units around the world and can easily be adapted for use by civilians during emergencies.  Before purchasing an inflatable boat, you must know what types are best

suited for emergency use.  To begin, there are four distinct types.

1. Yacht Tenders, 2. V-Hull, 3. High performance hulls and 4. Rigid hull or RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boats)

1. Yacht tenders are best for civilians that would like to own a small safe (6-20 foot long) inflatable boat that can be used for either emergency or recreational purposes.  Currently yacht tenders have four types with different hull (floor) configurations.  Most have floors with four inch wide fabric and wood or plastic inflatable slats that run across the beam.

This type of slatted floor is generally found in inflatables from about 6 to 8 feet in length only, because of this very light structure yacht tenders are not as strong as others with v-hulls or inflatable keels so they don’t work as well with motors or rowing.

2. V-hull (wood or inflatable keel) 
These are built with a longitudinal (across the length of the boat) inflation tube or wood keel placed directly underneath the floorboards. When it is blown up, it produces a stable V-shaped keel in the front (bow) of the boat this makes the vessel more stable and buoyant as it moves through the water.

3. High-performance hulls
These are inflatables that are specially designed for high speed use.  Only experienced users should opt for this type of inflatable craft.

4. Rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RIB’s) 
These have a solid fiberglass hull joined to an inflatable collar giving it the benefits of an inflatable and rigid craft. They can also hold more weight.

Inflatable boats are especially useful in flood prone low-lying areas.  Even urban residents who live near rivers may consider owning a small model (8-12’)  for use during emergency evacuations.  In large cities, traffic may prevent rapid movement.  An inflatable boat equipped with a small outboard motor could easily move a family of four up to 20 to 30 miles away from a disaster area in less than four hours.  In NYC, it could be used to move up or down the Harlem, east or Hudson rivers to a safe area.

During a flood, it could be used by a family to move quickly out of the submerged zone.

Users of inflatable boats must always remember to carefully tuck away all sharp objects so that they do not puncture the skin.   This could cause it to rapidly deflate and sink.  Overloading is also a safety issue. Be sure to pay close attention to the manufacturers’ weight ratings.  If moving through flood waters, make certain to look out for dangerous sharp debris.  Use your oars to move it out of your path if possible.  If not, be very careful as you move around it.

There are small gas and electric outboard motors especially designed for inflatable boats. The motor that you choose should never be over or under powered; or, over the manufacturers performance rating.  Make sure that you match the performance of the motor with the tasks it will perform.  If this is an emergency escape craft, you must purchase a boat large enough to haul all of your passengers & emergency gear.  Always check the length of the motor shaft (short long or extra long) each inflatable is designed to work with one or the other – never both. If you use a motor, you must purchase an inflatable that can accommodate one.

Like all inflatable objects, there will be small punctures, tears and leaks.  Each boat comes with a repair kit that will allow you to easily make repairs in the field if you need to. Large tears require a bit more expertise to repair, but, they can also be done effectively if you take the time necessary to do it properly.  Always be mindful to use glue that is rated for use with the material your boat is manufactured from and make sure to keep your repair kit fully stocked and handy in a floating container.

The IPN recommends Sea Eagle and Zodiac inflatables see them at www.seaeagle.com  and www.zodiac.us/ .

If you would like your innovative land, sea or air emergency transportation system placed in this section, contact the IPN Executive Director Aton Edwards at aton@readyforanything.org and arrange to send info or samples for review.

IPN Air Transportation systems

Disasters and emergencies can sometimes make certain areas inaccessible to any type of land or water vehicle.  This is when only some form of air transportation system will do.  Regular fixed wing aircraft may not have the space to land due to debris.  In most cases Helicopters and “ultralight” STOL (short take off & landing) aircraft are the best forms of emergency air transportation.

This section will focus on small Helicopters & ultralights that are designed to accommodate four passengers and less.   Their purpose is to function purely as emergency escape vehicles & in limited cases, light rescue craft.  The most promising piece of equipment is the Air Scooter.

The Air Scooter is without doubt the most useful new form of emergency Air transportation on the market.

The Air Scooter Corporation has created a stable, easy to operate and repair ultralight helicopter that incorporates time tested helicopter dynamics with new world technology.  It uses a technique called coaxial flight an original idea created by the inventor of the modern helicopter, Igor Sikorsky.  The Air Scooter utilizes modern materials and high technology to shape the craft into a fantastic marvel of engineering.  Air Scooters are steered and controlled by motorcycle-style handlebars.   To fly, users simply twist the throttle and push the handlebars forward.  Turn them from left to right to steer.  Air Scooters can be purchased for the price of a sports car (around $50,000).  With limited flight instruction, an Air Scooter owner would be flying in about one day.  They can be used by law enforcement, rescue personnel and as civilian recreation vehicles.

To learn more about this craft check out the air scooter site at http://www.airscooter.com/

In the future, the ultimate form of emergency transportation will be the Moeller Skycar see http://www.moller.com/skycar/

This vehicle is currently being tested and should be available by 2009.  This is the “Holy Grail” of vehicles.  Many attempts have been made over the years to build a VTOL (vertical take-off & landing) aircraft for civilian use and Dr. Paul Moeller may be closest to realizing this dream with his Skycar.

The IPN will stay on top of the development of the Skycar and other promising VTOL vehicles that can be used as emergency transportation.   The following pictures feature some promising designs.  For more info on personal VTOL vehicles visit http://www.roadabletimes.com/

1.    Carter aviation personal helicopter http://www.cartercopters.com/

2.    Pam 100 B http://www.flying-platform.com/

3.    Citihawk http://www.urbanaero.com/Urban_Main.htm

 

4.    Skyrider http://www.macroindustries.com/website/files/skyrider/sr-index.htm

5.    Durotrek Millenium Jet http://www.trekaero.com/

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