Saudi man invents swim booster for the handicapped

A Saudi man has caught the attention of foreign companies through his invention of a swimming booster for people with special needs.
The booster was made to assist the handicapped to swim and dive safely.
Saudi inventor Mohammed Ahmed Al-Musallam is a fourth-year student of Industrial Engineering Systems at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM).
Lambert Infinite Company in New Zealand, which specializes in the adoption of inventions around the world, has adopted the idea of the Saudi’s invention. After completing safety and practical tests, the company expressed deep admiration for the invention.
Al-Musallam said: “I got the idea as I listened to one of my friends with special needs, who eagerly showed his desire to swim and dive. Unfortunately, due to his physical condition, he can’t perform either sport.”
He said his friend’s inability to swim inspired him to think about how to realize his dream. It took him one year to complete a prototype.
He said the device assists people with special needs to swim and dive, through the main turboprop engine in the middle of the body with a capacity of 650 Watt, in addition to two 300-Watt engines in the knee areas. An airbag at the rear of the device operates automatically in case of an emergency.
Al-Musallam said: “The device works with rechargeable lithium batteries, that will make the device operational for six hours of continuous use, and it can hold weights up to a maximum of 100 kg,” the inventor said.
He said the firm from New Zealand would carry out tests and research on the invention and that it will then partner with a factory in China to get it formally manufactured and then exhibited in the world’s largest markets.