Description:

H2p0le is a preventative survival tool designed to reduce the number of Search and Rescue (SAR) callouts in New Zealand’s backcountry. Tramping, hunting, and hiking are core parts of Kiwi culture, yet many head into the bush underprepared, underestimating terrain and overestimating their abilities. The result is thousands of avoidable incidents every year, placing strain on emergency services and volunteers.
This project began with a clear goal: to make outdoor experiences safer by preventing emergencies before they happen. Instead of designing something for SAR responders, H2p0le is designed for the people who might need rescuing. Providing them with practical tools that support safer decision-making and greater self-reliance in the wild.
At its core, H2p0le reimagines the hiking pole as more than a mobility aid. It becomes a piece of survival infrastructure with greater utility. This challenges the traditional outdoor gear model, where separate items serve individual purposes. H2p0le takes a systems-thinking approach to combine key survival needs, eliminate redundancy, and streamline what users carry into the bush.
The final design integrates three major survival functions: water filtration, emergency rope, and shelter support. All within the compact form of a single hiking pole. Water is the heaviest item typically carried in a pack, with 1 litre equating to 1 kilogram. H2p0le includes a built-in hollow fibre membrane water filter, capable of removing 99.9999% of bacteria and contaminants. It allows users to safely drink from natural sources using six different methods, reducing pack weight while eliminating the risk of waterborne illness.
The pole’s wrist strap is transformed into six metres of emergency paracord, providing vital functionality without extra bulk. It can be used for shelter-building, hoisting gear, or assisting with rescues. Combined with the pole’s ability to act as a structural shelter support, H2p0le directly addresses the need to stay warm and dry, another major factor in SAR emergencies. Blaze orange detailing and reflective graphics support visibility in low-light or distress situations.
The idea is grounded in critical reasoning. H2p0le doesn’t assume all emergencies can be avoided, but it argues that many can be prevented through smarter gear choices. This aligns with the original design brief to support SAR. Not by aiding in rescue, but by helping reduce the number of rescues needed. It puts capability back in the hands of outdoor users, empowering them with a strategy for safer exploration.
Ergonomically refined and constructed with high-performance materials like aluminium, cork, paracord, and silicone, the design balances comfort, durability, and utility. Lean manufacturing principles informed the development, minimising waste by maximising the use of existing space and structure.
H2p0le creates impact on multiple levels: socially, culturally, environmentally, and economically. It reflects a shift in outdoor product design: one that values preparedness, promotes sustainability, and supports New Zealand’s adventurous spirit. It’s not just a product, it’s a proactive solution, designed for real-world use in one of the world’s most unpredictable landscapes.