Invention of the year finalist

Swinburne University academic, Graham Farrell, has designed a product that aims to make saving lives easier. The Reviva Mask is an inflatable resuscitation mask the size of a matchbox offering all the efficiency and protection of a commercial medical mask.

The Reviva Mask was a finalist in the 'Invention of the year' category of the Australian Design Awards recently held in Sydney.

The mask limits the chance of contamination to the rescuer by having the ability to function like a clinical mask for mouth to nose-mouth cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The product provides an alternative to large commercial respiratory masks and the smaller fold-up face shields commonly used in first aid kits.

The mask is made from PVC plastic and has two valves, with the first valve acting as a one-way resuscitation valve into which the user blows air that reaches the patient. Because the valve is one-way, cross contamination is greatly minimised. The other valve inflates the mask in a way similar to inflatable flotation devices.

One blow will inflate the mask in seconds and it can collapse to the size of a matchbox. Farrell worked on the concept for four years and used his personal networks to turn the product into a commercial reality.

Farrell has been approached by first aid training providers and health organisations nation-wide. He has established a company, MediAir, which will manufacture the mask in Australia.

Farrell says the product will fill a unique gap in the healthcare market. "It's a really innovative product that will encourage more people to undertake first aid training, and ultimately save lives."

Item provided courtesy of Swinburne University