The diving suits we use for diving and beach snorkels know a new use while waiting to know if we can use them on vacation: to help the health workers who work in hospitals with coronavirus patients.

Specifically, in some hospital centers in Madrid, underwater Decathlon masks are already being used as an alternative to respirators. They are used in mild cases, for people who do not need intubation. At Change.org there is a request for signatures to ask the sporting goods chain to donate these products.

The Decathlon Easybreath mask has been conceived for snorkeling and "its alteration for a different use does not guarantee its safety" , the company recalls. However, "we are experiencing a situation of unprecedented health crisis and, therefore, from the Decathlon Spain team, as part of our responsibility and solidarity work, we have provided engineers and doctors from different hospitals in Spain with the 3D plans of the mask "they point out.

Decathlon collaborates in monitoring various working groups that carry out different technical tests to adapt the product. The idea comes from Italy, where some hospitals have used these sports diving masks as an alternative, due to the lack of respirators. The Isinnova company connected these diving devices to a valve using 3D printers and thus manufactured emergency respiratory masks.

"From Decathlon Spain we have been responding to different requests for some time, which have been coming to us from different hospitals in Spain," they say. In addition to the research project with the Easybreath snorkel masks, they are also providing material, such as the masks themselves and the Nabaiji swimming goggles.

The sports chain has proceeded to block the sale of the Easybreath mask on its website, "in order to provide the available stock to hospitals that may need it."

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  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Madrid
  • Coronavirus
  • Covid 19

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