SEA Systems Hi-Impact Seating
Seating & Decking
Proven in Extreme Environments
The MitiGator™
Marine Products
The The MitiGator™ system dissipates much of the energy of shocks/impacts and prevents that energy from passing through to the human body, thus reducing the level of injury sustained. Musculoskeletal injuries are an enduring problem for marine law enforcement, homeland security and military personnel in small high-speed boats. Spinal and joint injuries occur from repetitive pounding over rough water, as well as in single impact events (ex. large wave at night). The US Office of Naval Research (ONR) has indicated that 66% of small boat operators suffer from boat induced injuries, 95% of which are musculoskeletal related. ONR reports that in its study, 75% of the injuries required medical attention, 18% resulted in hospitalization for more than a week and 20% report chronic pain as a result of small boat operations. At any given time, 16% of boat operators are unavailable for duty as a result of injuries. Marine law enforcement data is not available, but the injury rate is most likely higher because they operate twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
Lower back pain costs Americans $60 billion per year in treatments and American businesses about $15 billion annually. For Americans, after the common cold, back pain is the number one reason Americans miss work. Across the country in 1999, more than 420,000 people missed work because of back injury. Each lost an average of 6 days on the job, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For a first-time back injury, the cost of drugs, doctor's visits, and physical therapy can add up to as much as $10,000. But for more severe cases -- the kind that result when a person is hurt over and over again -- the costs can climb as high as $300,000 (Spine, December 1, 2001).
The The MitiGator™ marine protective products are engineered to dissipate much of the shock and impact energy before it can be transmitted to the body. The MitiGator™ reduce the shocks felt by boat crews during boat operations by 30-80%. They allow crews to operate longer and more efficiently. Evaluated by the Navy, several marine law enforcement agencies and boat manufacturers and found to be "fantastic" at dissipating the energy of repeated impacts during hi-speed operations. The system is effective against the repeated impacts found on high speed boats and has been shown to attenuate as much as 80% more energy than other systems. The products are made of materials that will survive in a marine environment. Studies have shown that the systems act as a vibration attenuating system as well. This reduces fatigue and pain, allowing crewmembers to concentrate on the mission or task at hand.
Please contact us for pricing for a cushion for your seat, bolster or any other needs. The The MitiGator™ can be used for many other application on board a small boat including suspended decks to dissipate energy before it is transferred from the hull, cabin/head padding, sensitive equipment protection, fenders, rub rails, etc.
See the related press release DOD Test Results.
Key Benefits
- Advanced Cushioning Methodology
- Elastomer or Foam Construction
- Internally Molded Air Passages
- Interconnecting Orifices - Choked Airflow
- Airflow Redirects Impact Energy Laterally
- Maximizes Energy Absorption
- Minimizes Rebound / Reusable after Hard Landings and Repeated Impacts
- Fire Resistant and Non-Skid, Abrasion Resistant, Mildew & Mold Resistant, Solvent Resistant, etc.; Does not Harm Fiberglass Surfaces
- Low Vibration Transmissibility in 0.5Hz –100Hz Range