Seat/Bolster/Other

"Small craft traveling in rough water experience vertical accelerations from wave impacts that cause short and long term personnel injuries. A boat can be designed to withstand the environment, but the speed-limiting factor is the tolerance of the humanbody to injuries and fatigue. Military and rescue craft often depend on speed for a successful mission. A number of companies have developed shock-mitigated seats for sitting. Our phase I proposal evaluates a shock mitigating standing platform for our three position seat/bolster. Standing is the preferred position when traveling in rough water becauseit allows you to hold on and flex your arms and legs to absorb the wave impacts. Our company manufactures three-position seat/bolsters for sitting, leaning and standing. These seat/bolsters hold the occupants in place. A shock mitigating platform option would reduce wave impact forces transmitted through the surface the user isstanding on. Mathematical calculations show we can reduce the g level impacts by half, using a 5-inch shock mitigating travel. This proposal includes designing and building a prototype seat/bolster with shock-mitigating capabilities. The shock-mitigation systems' performance will be documented through extensive sea testing. A proven shock mitigation system that protects small craft personnel from injuries would be demanded in military, rescue and occupationally hazardous marine operations. This technology