Akia
The Akia (also spelled Ackja , Akija or Akja ), also known in a similar form as tub sledge or pulka , is a rescue or transport sled modeled on the boat-shaped sledge of the Sami Ackja , which is mainly used in mountain rescue in winter and in Areas of eternal snow is used to transport patients or material. It consists of an elongated metal tub, usually made of aluminum , with arched ends, to each of which a pair of spars that are slightly sloping upwards and forked are attached. The tub has a trapezoidal cross-section and three stiffening runners on the undersides of the edges and in the middle. The straight spars continue the contour of the underside, are made of steel tubing and end with large oval, standing rings about twice hip-width apart.
The Akia is symmetrically designed, so it can be driven in both directions. Empty or with an insensitive load, it can easily be driven by the car in front. With a person who is well positioned and strapped in for transport, two mountain rescuers always ski the Akia. By taking over part or all of the weight of the full Akia by the four arms of the skier, knocks from ground humps on the Akia are avoided and more pressure is put on the better gliding ski surfaces and steering ski edges. Even more stress on the Akias achieves some braking effect, the guides can plow or, if necessary, slide sideways down the slope.
A brake chain under the downhill end of the Akias - in addition to the ability to brake with skis - reduces the speed of the sled in steep terrain when it is pushed into the snow by applying pressure to the front rails. The position and length of the brake chain and thus the braking effect can usually be regulated. A line secures the Akia to a rescuer and is attached either directly to the Akia or to a stile within easy reach.
After initial medical care, the patient is usually placed on a vacuum mattress , insulating pads and in a windproof, insulating rescue bag. Heat Reflective emergency blankets can reflect thermal radiation, heat of crystallization heat bags, heating pads and electric blankets can actively supply heat energy.
If the patient has injuries to the lower extremities and has to be transported over steep distances for a long time, a rescue seat is also used. The rescue seat is placed on the patient and tensioned upwards; this relieves the legs of the body weight and protects them.
After the injured person has been placed in storage, he is transported away and handed over to the rescue service, who can take him on by road or by rescue helicopter .
There are one-part and two-part Akias. The latter can be divided into two parts so that they can be transported disassembled and attached to the backpack. The Akias stiles, which are also called "Lanten", can be removed to move the sledge in the automobile, on or at ski lifts or on snow groomers. Akias can be provided with a rope safety device so that they can be used in terrain where there is a risk of falling. For this purpose, there are fixation points such as screw shackles to which slings can be attached to secure the rope.
In the summer, the Akia can be used as an alternative to the mountain stretcher to rescue patients from rough terrain. For longer transport routes on hiking trails or other terrain that you have to walk on, a single- wheel set of wheels is attached in the middle, as with the mountain stretcher , which carries a large part of the patient's weight. In this way, longer distances can be overcome in a somewhat gentle manner for the patient and the mountain rescuers with less effort.
The Akia was developed in the high mountain medical school of the Wehrmacht in St. Johann in Tirol in the 1940s. Earlier models were made of wood. A transport sled similar to the Akia, which is only controlled by one person, is the so-called "Canadier".
Web links
- Tyromont catalog of a manufacturer of rescue equipment
Individual evidence
- ↑ Wintersteller barracks. Federal Ministry for National Defense, accessed on December 9, 2019 : “In 1941 a high mountain medical school was set up. There, the research staff developed the steel cable device, the mountain stretcher and the Akja in 1944. "
- ^ Walter von Schmidt-Wellenburg: History of the Alpine Club 1929-1967. Bound as a manuscript. Oesterreichischer Alpenverein (archive), accessed on December 9, 2019 : “... Demonstration and testing of the Heeres Mountain Medical School in World War II, later by the OeAV and the Bavarian. Mountain rescue, modern equipment developed to a high degree ... "