Wave of relief for surfing asthmatics - 2009

29 July 2009

Surfing asthma sufferers can breathe a sigh of relief. No longer need they miss a wave while fumbling in their boardies for an inhaler to have enough puff for the next ride, because QUT industrial design graduate Mark Boardman has designed a wrist-worn, waterproof asthma reliever medication device.

Mr Boardman was inspired to design the inSURFhaler after watching the difficulties his brother, Craig, a keen surfer and an asthma sufferer, experienced.

"One day while surfing with Craig, I saw him have a few scary moments when he felt the onset of an attack in the water. Craig was unable to relieve the attack as his puffer didn't function effectively. I saw this as an opportunity to develop an innovative design," Mr Boardman said.

"My research found it is difficult for asthma sufferers to use their puffers when surfing because it clogs with salt; this poses a problem as exercise can initiate an asthma attack.

"I designed the inSURFhaler to use the person's normal canister of asthma medication. The user loads their asthma canister into the housing and then fits it into the strap which secures the housing in the correct position to allow fast, easy and safe access to the mouthpiece.

"The strap and housing also seal the canister and valve so they can't be clogged by seawater.

"All surfers have to do when they need to use their medication is pop open the inSURFhaler's yellow cap and press the red button to deliver the medication for inhalation.

"When they get home the inSURFhaler comes apart easily so it can be washed. The user can then pop the canister out and put it back into their usual puffer holder. All components are made of durable polypropylene so it cannot corrode."

The inSURFhaler has been prototyped and Mr Boardman is looking for interest in taking the inSURFhaler into the market.

Contact Mr Boardman on boardmanmark@hotmail.com.

Media contact: Niki Widdowson, 07 3138 1841 or n.widdowson@qut.edu.au.