The LIFESUIT robotic exoskeleton can save lives; as well as improve the quality of life.

“The LIFESUIT robotic exoskeleton can save lives; as well as improve the quality of life. ”   Re-post of commentary letter from

Edith M. Hansen  1/24/11  (Shortlink http://theyshallwalk.org/?p=466)

While the physiological and psychological benefits of the LIFESUIT to the user are numerous, there exists an additional and important application to not only the user but to emergency rescue personnel and the families of those affected by paralysis.  Ground based public transportation systems such as Bay Area Rapid Transit or Seattle’s light rail system or even those who work in office towers can benefit by having a LIFESUIT immediately

Monty Reed and the LIFESUIT robotic exoskeleton

available for emergency evacuations in the case of fire, earthquake or mechanistic malfunction.  In such instances the writer suggests that one LIFESUIT be readily available per capita user within a one to three minute or less ‘walk-ability’ so that the user may rapidly exit a dangerous situation where access to ramps or elevators would render the user’s wheel chair

useless and thereby create a dependency on being ‘carried out’ by rescuing persons; a procedure that could potentially endanger not only the paraplegic to injury or rescue person’s being injured (some individuals such as largemales that are military veterans can weigh over 200lbs and may require four rescuers, also large males: in most cases if only demure females are available the task of manually transporting the disabled individual to safety it would be physically impossible).  There is the additional problem associated with manual rescues in that a great distance may have to be traversed to reach a safe location, which would tire even very strong teams of individuals.  Having a LIFESUIT available in these public venues would be a very reasonable accommodation to disabled persons, that they may have equal assurance of safety in emergent situations, very much the same way that according to Washington State law there is a life vest (PFD personal floatation device) available for every passenger on Washington State ferries in the case of capsize.

PFD's are needed to keep you afloat when the boat goes down. The LIFESUIT should be available for other emergencies.

To best ensure that this life saving equipment is readily available to all physically disabled citizens with in the United States of America, it is recommended that there be a Federally funded program developed and implemented to ensure equal availability and safety for all mobility impaired citizens and that training on the use of the LIFESUIT be made available to them at no or minimal cost, much as CPR training is made available to those whose employment requires it. Not only will the disabled find relief in their time of need; friends and family will be blessed that their loved ones escape peril alive and well.