Saving lives on the battlefield

DAYTON (WDTN) - Dayton is known for being home to many great inventions, but a new creation could save the lives of many soldiers, seaman, Marines and airman.

It's a tactical rescue stretcher and is designed to be built inside bullet proof vests. It's tucked between the Kevlar and ceramic plate, protected so that should something happen, the stretcher is still intact. The system weighs less than 14 ounces and can withstand more than 350 pounds.

Dan Halsall, a former Dayton Police officer and president of the company Daytac, is the mastermind behind the mesh panels. His invention can be easily deployed allowing a victim on the move in a matter of moments. A simple solution to a problem that he said has always existed.

"We're still using the same technology to get soldiers off the field that we've been using since the civil war," said Halsall. "Things have modified but, we've made the same big obsolete stretchers somewhat compact".

Currently, if a military member is injured, there are limited options to get them medical help and out of harms way. Their comrades must either call for a medic or put their own lives on the line and carry the wounded warrior. Halsall believed there must a better way and said he has made it.

"With our method, we don't have to wait for anything. We don't have to move anything. The person still maintains the protection of their body and head from keeping their body armor and Kevlar on," said Halsall. "Everyone that we have talked to has basically said if we had this if we had this, this probably would have saved lives".

Halsall and the rest of the Daytac team have been doing demonstrations all over the country, meeting with military and government leaders urging them to push the project into this year's appropriations bill.

Congressman Mike Turner was impressed with the invention. "This is a real important idea, and we are trying to get them in front of the individuals who make the decision on what gets funded this year and what does not," he said. "But, the real important thing is to get the message out, of their invention, so that even if we don't get funding this year, hopefully we can in the future".

Until then, these inventors will keep fighting to save lives on the battlefields a half a world away.

"America has some of the most advanced and the best combat medics in the world, the problem is, if we lose our men and women on the field before they even get there, we've accomplished nothing," said Halsall.

The House Armed Services Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday, May 24, to decide on defense funding for next year. Halsall and the rest of the Daytac team, remain hopeful that their project will be approved.

For more information about Daytac, go to www.daytontactical.com