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Bariquins are the producers of 25 stone (350lb/159kg) training mannequins. The original Bariquin, ‘Barry’, has now been joined by ‘Benny’ and both were on show at the 2016 Emergency Services Show at the NEC last month.
Chris Jarratt, the Managing Director of Bariquins is pictured. He said: “We live in a multi-cultural society and obesity is a problem faced by communities globally. Bariquins recognize this and did not want to offer just the single option. Bariquins will continue adding to its ‘band of brothers’ to reflect this diversity. Female options will become available too.”
The Bariquin is the idea of Chris Jarratt and was developed after Chris nearly had to give first aid to an obese man who was having breathing difficulties. The man recovered and Chris worked on the design which has just come to market.
Given obesity becoming an everyday issue in the emergency and health care sectors, Bariquins have been designed to assist training personnel, to safely manoeuvre or rescue plus-size people. Incorrect handling of a plus-size person may result in musculoskeletal or back injuries to emergency personnel, healthcare workers or to the individual being rescued or cared for. Bariquins reports interest from abroad, including the United States, the Gulf region and Australia.
A Bariquin comprises of 15 weighted parts, a jacket plus head, hands and feet. With handles on the larger parts, it can be clipped together in under 10 minutes. The limbs have been designed to flex in a way similar to those of a real person and the filling ensures that weight distribution is representative too. The assembly system allows the Bariquin to simulate an amputee. Type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity and can lead to amputations.
Using a Bariquin allows new techniques to be devised, designing out risks. Complicated transfers can be rehearsed before moving the actual person. Visit www.bariquins.com.
