Unassuming Device Only One To Date To Pass 16.9g CAMI "Sled Test"

By ANN Reporter Juan Jimenez

In May 1995 the FAA concluded, in a report issued to Congress, that of all passengers who use the country's air travel system, one percent are infants. This conclusion was reached through air carrier surveys, industry experience and a sampling of passengers. In 1998, the FAA also concluded that 80 million infants would travel as passengers on airliners during the period from 2000 to 2009. CAMI also conducted a study that analyzed 29 transport category aircraft accidents between 1970 and 1995 that involved the evacuation of 67 infants. An analysis of this data concluded that 34% of these infants suffered injuries ranging from minor to fatal. After applying the historic accident rate forecasts, CAMI predicted that infant fatalities and injuries could rise by as much as 46% during the same period, 2000-2009.

In 1999, then FAA Administrator Jane Garvey committed the FAA to "making air travel safer for everyone-young and old alike…assuring that children are accorded the same level of safety in aircraft as are adults." Administrator Garvey also stated that the FAA would mandate the use of approved child restraint systems for small children and infants under 40 pounds in transport-category aircraft.

It was in response to this statement from Jane Garvey that Mr. Dale Smith decided to design a restraint system that would help achieve this safety goal. The result was US Patent # 5,224,229, and a new company was born, TykeTube, to market the new device.

At first glance, the TykeTube appears to be not much more than a device that wraps an infant in what looks like a plastic tamale. However, first impressions can be deceiving. This little device is the only one so far to pass the CAMI sled test designed to determine if it can meet the agency's requirements. The sled test puts 16.9g's of force on whatever happens to be strapped into it, and the TykeTube passed with flying colors.

TykeTube refers to the device as an "Infant Air Safety Capsule." It designed to make an airliner crash impact survivable by an infant or small child. The infant or child is strapped into the TykeTube using an internal five point belt. The Tube's external safety strap is then looped under the adult's seat belt. It then provides back, neck, torso and leg support during rapid deceleration. In addition, it gives the adult carrying the infant the advantage of a secure safe position, and provides protection during all critical phases of flight without the purchase of an additional airline seat.

FMI: www.tyketube.com