BIFROST
A ski patrol pack to improve the transition between day
use and emergency response. BiFrost features a fanny
pack to be worn at all times and an interchangeable pack
that slips and clips onto the belt of the fanny pack. With
easy and simple pack opening with an unclip and rip to open,
the tongue of the pack turns into a parachute like platform
to allow gear to be spread out and not get lost.
Project: 25-30 liter pack for an activity
Duration: 6 Weeks
Team: 4 team members
SKI PATROL?
The mountain is a dangerous place. Ski Patrol is operated by professional and volunteer teams to respond to a broad range of emergencies on the slopes.
MEET DAVE WARNICA
Dave is a 72-year-old ski patroller at Mt. Spokane
with 25+ years of experience.
He mainly stays in bounds but does go to
the backcountry for rescue.
DAVE'S PROBLEM
Dave needs a pack for ski patrol that enhances the efficiency of his
emergency reaction and doesn’t impede his daily use because his
current solution is time-consuming and hinders transport.
DAVE AND HIS PACKS
“There are many different emergency situations and there is almost always a different pack for each.”
“There’s such a short time for rescue.”
His current solution to these problems:
fanny pack + trauma pack.
Fanny pack for skiing and small emergencies
Trauma pack for larger emergencies
HOW MIGHT WE:
design a pack for ski patrol that allows responders to react to emergencies quickly while not compromising ski performance?
PRINCIPLES:
QUICK ACCESS
The pack should allow users to open the pack and access the
tools with minimal effort.
DETACHABILITY
A two-part pack should allow for flexibility between daily use and emergency response.
SKI PERFORMANCE
The pack should be close to the body so as to not hinder the center of gravity of the responder.
SKETCHES
PROTOTYPES:
REFINED PROTOTYPE
The Pack
This final prototype allowed for refinement in the detachable backpack mechanism and understanding the size and shape that the pack needed to be. From here, development of a working prototype arose and was able to be reviewed by ski patrollers.
PACK SPECS
FRAME RENDERS
QUICK ACCESS
THE PARACHUTE
When patrollers come to an incident, the first thing they do is drop their bag and rip it open. Busting zippers to find the right items, possessions get lost in the snow.
With the BiFrost's parachute feature, the bag is held together with a Cobra buckle and is folded and held in place by velcro and supporting walls. When coming to an incident, they can throw the pack down, unbuckle and rip it open with ease. The fabric making up the parachute also acts as a working surface, allowing goods to be rummaged through and still stay within the pack.
DETACHABLE
THE HOOK
The attachment device that keeps the backpack and fanny pack together is a simple design. Using just one piece of reinforced fiber glass, a section is cut and bent outwards on the backside of the fanny pack. On the backpack, the frame has a slot that the hook fits perfectly into. This allows for quick attach and detachment and his held in place by gravity and support clips.
SKI PERFORMANCE
THE EASE
Not only does the hook hold the pack in place and allow for quick detachment, it doesn't impede in skiing. Since the hook isn't locked in place, the pack is able to twist with the skiers shoulders and remain in its slot.
