| Description: | Standard on all Imperial military vessels and on most private ships as well. When folded, the rescue ball is a cylinder 15 cm in diameter and 40 cm long. When deployed, it forms a sphere two meters in diameter which contains air sufficient to last one person for 4 hours. In the event of explosive decompression or other loss of air, a rescue ball allows an individual not in possession of a vacc suit to survive until aid arrives. The user pulls a lanyard, climbs inside and seals the zip closure. The ball is made of metal-coated plastic film for ease of location by radar and contains a bottle of compressed air, a first aid kit, and a transparent window through which the occupant may observe conditions outside the ball. Rescue balls provide some protection from stellar radiation and corrosive and insidious atmosphere for five to seven hours. |