Inflatables have come a long way since their early use by
the Romans for crossing rivers. As long ago as 2000 years the Romans were using glued inflatables constructed from goat and cow stomach linings to aid in personal flotation. Using a multitude of skins tethered to wooden planks enabled the Romans to move armies and equipment across floating pontoons. In modern times inflatables are again becoming more and more popular due to their ergonomic advantages and especially with modern warfare, their speed of deployment.

Inflatable Rapid Response Shelters have a variety of uses for emergency, commercial, military and humanitarian applications. They include uses as incident control centres, temporary mortuaries, medical outposts, storage areas, command posts and many more. The Inflatable Rapid Response Shelters are also used in conjunction with decontamination equipment to create complete decontamination units. The flexibility allied to rigidity of the inflatable framework is useful for the rapid deployment and high mobility of an army. Designed to be lightweight and compact, the inflatable rapid response shelter is erected in minutes by minimal personnel and,

unlike raditional modular frame shelters, requires no particular skill and no special tools for eployment.

The main structure is an inflatable tubular amework, mainly manufactured from bonded two-ply neoprene proofed fabric for robustness and durability. Inflation can be “once-only” operation or continuously blown. The once only shelter does not require a permanent source of air, which means there is no requirement for constant use of a power source and fan. When inflated, the framework forms arch supports for the canopy. The canopy is made from high frequency welded, polyurethane (P.U.) coated nylon to give excellent U.V. and ozone resistance.

The low pressure inflatable tubular framework forms the basic shape of the shelter, and the canopy is draped over the outside. The size and end use of the shelter will determine