TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Alabama senior mechanical engineering students have designed and created fishing rods for quadriplegics, which can be operated orally with a “sip and puff” set of switches. The “Sip and Puff” method allows handicapped fishermen to cast and reel in a lure using breath control by changing the air pressure within a straw. The competition is designed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Students will present their designs in a competition Thursday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. in the Student Engineering Projects Building. There are 34 students in the class comprising nine teams in the competition.

Students have worked to design a well-tested, cost-effective, and reliable prototype apparatus. The apparatus allows a quadriplegic to cast a fishing lure accurately, retrieve the lure, make additional casts without assistance, and reel in and lift a heavy weight simulating a fish. During the competition, students will have three minutes to perform the following tasks:

• Attach the previously assembled device with the rod and reel (if used) to the support pole on the “dock.”
• Seat one team member in the chair on the “dock.” This team member will operate the device.
• Make one practice cast and retraction.
• Make any consequent adjustments prior to the timed tests. Adjustments must be completed within the three-minute time limit.

Dr. Steve Shepard, associate professor of mechanical engineering and instructor of the Mechanical Engineering 489 class, said this project gives students valuable experience for later on in their careers. “This competition offers students the opportunity to not only learn about mechanical engineering design, but also help others through real-life application,” said Shepard.