Objective
Provide low cost equipment aids to assist individuals engaged in manual demining operations.

Description
The AVS Manual Demining Tool Bag consists of 8 hand tools, a tripwire feeler, and maintenance tools. The hand tools include the Braveheart excavator, MIT profile probe, pick prod, mini-spade, demining brush, root cutter, demining shears, and demining markers. The excavation and prodding tools incorporate design criteria, such as the user's hand should be as far as possible from any accidental mine initiation - usually at least 30 cm from the point of any tool. Additionally, the material used to make the tool must be sufficiently ductile for it to distort rather than break or shatter in any AP blast mine detonation. This usually prevents the use of high carbon steels in anything but the leading edge of the tool. The tool must be constructed so that it does not readily separate into component parts in any AP blast mine detonation. This usually means that the shaft must be taken right through the handle and that the handle must also be malleable. The tool should be designed so that it is easiest to use at a low angle to the ground by a kneeling or squatting deminer, thereby encouraging the user to keep his hand beneath the fragment cone associated with many detonations. Finally, whenever possible, the tool should include a blast guard for the hand.

Braveheart Excavator

MIT Profile Probe