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At many universities, engineering capstone projects are built for industry sponsors or corporate clients.��

But two groups of ���ӽ紫ý mechanical engineering seniors at Western Colorado University (WCU) are doing something a little different: designing equipment for Mountain Rescue volunteers who navigate Colorado’s rugged backcountry.

The projects, sponsored by the Western Mountain Rescue Team, were developed by students in the��WCU-���ӽ紫ý Engineering Partnership Program. As part of their senior design course, they aimed to solve real challenges faced during wilderness rescues.

For a university nestled in the heart of Colorado’s Western Slope, the projects were a natural fit. Western’s Mountain Rescue Team President Riley LeHane said outdoor access and recreation are central to the campus identity, allowing students to engineer solutions for problems tied directly to the mountain environment they experience every day.

“There was a lot of interest in the rescue projects during the fall,” LeHane said. “It’s unique in the engineering space to blend outdoor recreation with borderline medical care. I think these teams take a lot of pride in trying to improve rescue services and benefit the local community.”

The two teams showcased their work at WCU’s Engineering Expo event on April 23. Here’s a closer look at this year’s Western Mountain Rescue Team projects:

Team 6: Western Mountain Rescue Truck System

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A team six student showcasing his group's truck-bed organization system at WCU's Engineering Expo event (Credit: Cassondra Grover).

Search and rescue teams often have a myriad of equipment—such as medical kits, rope and harnesses—piled in the back of their response trucks. But when emergency calls come in, the time it takes to scramble and find these materials could mean the difference between life and death.

That’s why the truck management team designed and built a custom truck-bed organization system intended to make rescue response faster and more efficient in the field.

The project aimed to reduce mission preparation time at the trailhead by 30%, from ten minutes to seven, while improving accessibility, safety and long-term usability. It features a series of labeled sliding drawers and storage compartments so that critical, expensive gear is protected and easily accessible.

“Everything has a place and it’s easy to see,” said LeHane. “No more crawling to the back of the truck or digging through stacks of gear.”

But perhaps the most exciting aspect of the project is its potential for long-term impact. Once fully implemented, the system is expected to remain in use for the lifespan of the rescue vehicle, supporting Western Mountain Rescue volunteers responding to emergencies for years to come.

“It’s something that these engineering students can look back on and be extremely proud of,” LeHane said.

Team 7: Western Mountain Rescue Litter System

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Students from team seven showcasing their rescue litter system at Engineering Expo (Credit: Cassondra Grover).

Carrying an injured person on a litter out of the backcountry can require rescuers to navigate steep trails, rocky terrain and long distances on foot.

To help ease that burden, the rescue litter team developed a new wheel attachment system in an effort to improve maneuverability, reduce physical strain on rescuers and increase overall patient stability during wilderness evacuations.

The design centers around a large single wheel mounted beneath the litter, allowing rescuers to transport patients more efficiently across uneven terrain without relying entirely on hand-carrying techniques. But unlike the truck-bed system, designing field equipment for real-world rescue operations comes with a unique set of challenges.

“There are a lot of testing and liability standards that come with rescue gear,” said LeHane. “Working around these complexities was a great challenge for the students.”

LeHane said the engineering student group’s current prototype will be used primarily in training settings. However, she believes the program’s partnership with the Western Mountain Rescue Team will create more opportunities for future teams to improve upon the initial concept and create a system ready for the field.

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