This master thesis, developed by Industrial Design engineer students at Aalborg University in collaboration with Joint Arctic Command, presents the development process behind a design proposal for aiding sailors in emergency situations in Arctic areas. The product aims to deliver a more meaningful help for the distressed, tailor-made for their situation without limiting the user’s mobility or function level when not in an emergency. As time is the most critical factor for survival when in distress in the extreme environment, the main purpose is the ability to signal help with the assistance of an inflatable beacon, that can be dropped from the boat, but also to ease the difficulty in finding the distressed in the Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. The design aims to minimize the time before aid arrives, therefore also greatly improving the chance of survival for the distressed.
The design is based on a situated ethnological study of the sailors in Greenland, leading to a user centred design approach in the design phase. The solution and the sub-principles presented is validated through small-scale tests and user-/stakeholder-based interviews, and shows significant improvement to the current situation observed. The project resulted in an integrated design proposal which is specified in regard to construction, design, interaction and business case.