The Clemson Agricultural Safety Program and Agricultural Sciences Research and Fabrication Lab worked together to design and construct a Grain Entrapment Simulator for statewide trainings. With only a few of these units in the country, this is a vital resource for South Carolina.
The simulator allows for an individual to be safely entrapped in grain. From there, rescuers can simulate and train for the rescue process and are exposed to the potential hazards that they might encounter during an actual rescue mission. This allows for more control over the many factors that are present when working to rescue someone from grain and provides exposure to the events that can occur in a grain bin.
Since its release at the beginning of the year, it has already been utilized at trainings in Lexington, Orangeburg, Duncan, Myrtle Beach (June 14-17), and Florence (June 21-23), and was also used by a group of firefighters to train and experience rescuing a victim who had been entrapped in grain. The group of firefighters first discussed the many pieces of equipment that are used when rescuing someone. They were able to see how all the equipment worked outside of the bin so they would be more familiar with it inside the bin. Following the brief introduction, one of the firefighters volunteered to enter the bin. Another group worked as a team to rescue the entrapped firefighter.
The goal is to provide this simulator for at least ten trainings a year, throughout the state.
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