First responder prototype uniform and first aid for kids' device design, V2

During the first year of the project, the smart uniform has been studied and designed. The prototype is composed of two layers: the external protective and performant uniform for first responders (FR), composed of a jacket and trousers, and then smart underwear with a T-shirt and leggings to be worn under the rescuer’s professional uniform. The model of the uniform is designed according to the anatomy of the body to be more comfortable and protective. In order to address gender-specific needs, the research project studied two different models according to the anatomy of the male and female body, even though this was not specified and requested in the DoA. The prototypes have been developed taking into account the Italian sample sizes: size L (50-52 IT) for the men’s uniform, size S (38-40 IT) for the women’s one.
The design of the uniform is “user centered”, taking into account the human anatomy, functional and psycho-physical needs of the first responders and the characteristics of the disaster scenarios. In order to highly protect the FR during the rescue activity the uniform is made of different innovative, protective and performant materials.
The fabric mainly used is the Jackal textile, produced by Textil Santanderina, chosen for its excellent mechanical and chemical properties combined with its sustainable characteristics.  Moreover, in critical points of the body (elbows, shoulders, knees), the textile is improved with an additional custom fiberglass textile layer in order to give extra protection against abrasion. Also, removable flexible 3D printed protections are implemented in these critical points to ensure improved protection against shocks.
Polymer-based, custom-designed sensors monitoring the health status of the first responder are embedded in the smart underwear, as they require tight contact of the sensors on the skin: Electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes in the T-shirt, Electromyogram (EMG) electrodes and strain sensors for joint angles estimation in the leggings.
Other sensors measuring environmental parameters, such as the concentration of both toxic and explosive gases (by a commercial multi-gas detector) and the X-radiation dose (by a polymeric sensor), are placed in different external pockets of the protective uniform.