UNS — An Entrepreneurship Student Creativity Program Team (PKM-K) from the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, tries to suggest a solution for water accidents mitigation. The team proposed a floating pants concept to mitigate water accidents causing drowning. The three students are Andian Hidayat from Geography Education Study Program as the team leader, accompanied by Ajeng Pangesti and Toni Pranada from Geography Education Study Program, as well as Ava Ananda Gitaloka and Rahma Surya Kusuma Putri from Javanese Language Education as team members. The team is supervised by Lintang Ronggowulan, S.Pd., M.Pd.
This initiative on floating pants is welcomed by Dr. Yasin Yusup, M.Si., as the Head of Geography Education Study Program FKIP UNS, considering the idea as brilliant. “Floating pants is an excellent idea considering the floods disaster in Indonesia as a recurring disaster. In 2020, there was 1,518 flood disaster events covering a significant area coverage and numerous affected communities. This innovation is not only reducing the risk of floods disaster but also opening opportunities and variation in water tourism,” said Dr. Yasin.
Furthermore, the floating pant created by the students has a ‘megamendung’ batik motif, which holds a sign of protection and care. Hence, the use of ‘megamendung’ motif in the creation also calls for support from the Head of Javanese Language Education Study Program, Dr. Djoko Sulaksono, S.Pd., M.Pd. “Megamendung Batik motif holds a philosophical meaning of control, where human must be able to control their will under any circumstances like the clouds bring calmness. The use of megamendung motif on the floating pant will be one of the means to introduce and preserve the noble cultural heritage. This initiative is a great step,” said Dr. Djoko.
There are several steps needed to ensure that the floating pant is working properly. The first is to open the air valve located at the sides of the pants. The second is to blowing air into the valve to fill the buoyancy. The third is to close the valve tightly and the pants is ready to use and floating in the water. According to Andian, the pant has its uniqueness with its water resistance and windproof. “The pants are waterproof and windproof. It can be worn like normal pants and can be transformed during an emergency situation, which shows flexibility. It is also equipped with an air valve that makes it easy to inflate, has a double layer system, and has a typical Indonesian batik pattern,” Andian explains.
Andian hopes that their innovation can contribute to UNS achievement. “The release date is scheduled to take place in August, and hopefully, this PKM-K creation can bring home a gold medal for UNS during the 34th Pimnas,” Andian wished. Humas UNS
Reporter: Zalfaa
Editor: Dwi Hastuti