>what is a
>chest cuiras? How does it work. Can you send me a picture of it so I can
>scan it onto my site.
Jeff,
A chest cuirass (or chest shell) is a device that fits over your chest area
much like a breast plate only there is about a 4" space between the shell
and your chest. A rubber or foam seal is attached to the edges of the shell
thus creating a fairly efficient seal. In the center of the shell, there is
a port to which a hose is attached. The other end of this hose is attached
to a negative pressure ventilator. This ventilator cycles air in and out of
the cuirass. The negative pressure creates a vacuum by sucking air out of
the space inside of the cuirass. This, in turn, causes the chest to raise
and inspiration to occur. These machines can also create a positive
pressure during the cycle which pumps air into the space inside of the
cuirass thus helping to push air out of the lungs (somewhat like the
Heimlich maneuver). I hope this answers your question. If not, cyber me
back and I'll try to explain it further.
Unfortunately, I don't have a picture but someone out there in cyber land
must.
Dan, ever cycling.