Caroline Slick | Cardinal

Cardinal

A pack designed for the rigors of Search and Rescue.

The dedication, courage and bravery of US Search and Rescue members save 4,500 lives each year, yet a line of gear tailored to this career doesn't exist.

Cardinal is a sub-pack system comprised of 3 parts; rigid frame for support, internal ergonomic frame for comfort, and sub packs for organization and quick access. The bulky litter half straps in the frames negative space, and weight is distributed evenly.

Project Pack Design

Discipline Industrial Design

Duration 5 Weeks

Team 3 Members

Overview

Cardinal is a rugged, reliable solution for this extreme career. The grounding feature of this product is the litter half accommodation - a bulky and cumbersome half stretcher specific to this industry.

Cardinal

A pack designed for the rigors of Search and Rescue

Research

RESEARCH

STUDIO PROMPT

RESEARCH METHODS

Design a weight bearing pack for a specialized industry and environment.

User interviews, inventory logging, walk throughs.

INTERVIEWS

We began by reaching out to CPR Seattle, a training facility for medical techniques along with overnight wilderness programs. Here, we met with and interviewed Chelsea, an EMT trained search and rescue leader.

Our team later met with Amy, an EMT trained student who volunteers on an "on-call" basis. This provided insights on tools and inventory found in a search and rescue mission.

INVENTORY

+ harness

+ radios

+ water bladder

+ helmet

+ foam mat

+ sleeping pad

+ ice pick

+ stove

+ microspikes

+ crampons

+ tarp

+ first aid kit

+ splints

+ space blanket

+ rope

+ litter half

LITTER HALF

DEFINITION

A specific tool used for SAR missions. Members carry the two part system, simply lashed around a standard pack, leading to back injury.

DESIGN CRITERIA

ACCESSIBILITY

Ready to grab life saving tools, accessible to the user and other SAR workers

MODULARITY

Sub-grouped inventory organized and customizable

LITTER HALF ACCOMMODATION

Fit and integrate large and otherwise painful tool

Looking to previous packs that accommodate odd ball tools, we came across pack boards. a staple tool during WWII. pack boards provide a flat back to lash on any form, from a rifle to a child.