Abstract
Introduction: This paper describes possibilities of an application of advanced liquid-crystal technologies in rescuer protective helmets. The main part of the paper is devoted to helmet-mounted-displays – HMD. Such devices make able, depending on the advancement level, visualization of alphanumerical, graphic or video information directly in front of the user face. This is especially important in case of extremely limited visibility during rescue and fire extinguishing action, e.g., under conditions of severe smoke. Visualized information may contain location of rooms and victims in the building, fire sources, moreover the general course of the action and orders from the commanding point. For this reason the rescuer is much better oriented in situation and can act more effectively. The important features of HMD are its transparence enabling undisturbed visual observation of the environment with reading of obtained information at the same time as well as low weight providing the comfort of helmet usage. The article describes the main types of HMD construction including projecting systems and microdisplays used worldwide nowadays. The possible disadvantages of different HMD types are presented from a rescuer’s individual vision features point of view. The authors proposed to equip at least one member of the rescue team in helmet with HMD. Furthermore, it is also mentioned adopting HMD in training systems using virtual reality. The second part of the article discuses an application of electrooptical effects observed in liquid crystals for construction of automatic sight protection systems against radiation of high intensity light. Such flash can be caused by the explosion of pyrotechnic combustible materials moreover as the effect of third person action. The paper presents the principle of action of such systems as well as new possibilities based on the latest research results. The possibility of development of both discussed systems by Polish teams is underlined.
Keywords: information displays, rescue and fire extinguishing action. sight protection
Type of article: review article