Abstract: A spine immobilization method and apparatus are provided which make use of a normally flat, flexible bladder filled with beads or micro-balloons that form a rigid mass when the pressure within the bladder is decreased below ambient through the use of a suction pump so that the bladder can be conformed to the torso of the victim and provide the desired restraint. The bladder is strapped to the victim prior to being rigidified by an arrangement of straps which avoid the stomach area. The bladder is adapted to be secured to a rigid support, i.e., a rescue chair, so as to enable removal of a victim after the bladder has been made rigid. A double sealing connector is used to connect the bladder to the suction pump and a control valve is employed to vary the pressure within the bladder so as to soften and harden the bladder as desired.

Abstract: A control valve is provided which is adapted to be connected between a pressure source, such as vacuum pump, and a pressure vessel so as to control the pressure in the vessel. The valve comprises a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough which is connected between the pump and vessel, and a transversely movable valve body which controls the air flow through an air inlet in the housing. The valve body includes cylindrical and conical shaped portions which cooperates with reciprocally shaped portions of the housing to provide flow control. A filter disposed in the air inlet filters out foreign matter in the air. The bottom end of the valve body screws into the valve housing control knob formed integrally with the valve body controls translation of the valve body and hence opening and closing of the valve.