Tiny Transmitter Could Assist Fire Fighter Survival
Fire fighters claim rescuing victims trapped in a car by a serious motor vehicle accident is one of the most stressful parts of their risky jobs. But what exactly is the physiological impact of racing against the clock to save lives? Thanks to a tiny transmitter that firefighters can swallow, University of Victoria researchers can now analyze fire fighters’ core body temperature under work conditions. Combining this information with remote readings of blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate from other body monitors, the results will help fire departments better protect the health and safety of their members.
“Heart attacks are the number one killer of working and retired fire fighters,” says Dr. Lynneth Wolski, of UVic’s school of physical education. “Fire fighters’ cardiovascular systems are put under enormous stress because of a combination of heat stress (from wearing their protective gear) and the physical demand of their duties. These transmitters mean we can monitor vital statistics from the moment the fire fighters hear the alarm, through the rescue, and during their recovery. Once we have sufficient data, we’ll be able to establish more accurate working standards.”
The transmitter technology can also be used when fire fighters are battling a blaze and face temperatures of up to 200° centigrade. Until now, paramedics staffing fire fighter rehabilitation stations at fire scenes had to rely on readings from ear thermometers to establish the cool-down times fire fighters had to wait before resuming their duties. Informal results from transmitter testing indicate ear temperature readings might not be completely accurate and fire fighters may be putting themselves at risk by returning to action too soon.
“This collaboration between UVic and the Victoria fire department is providing valuable and ground-breaking insights into the demands of firefighting,” says assistant Victoria fire chief Scott Woodburn. “The results will definitely help make working conditions safer for our members.”
Previous body monitoring technology was intrusive and confined both researchers and fire fighters to laboratories. The new telemetric (radio wave) system provides results during real life training and rescue scenarios.
The fire fighters aren’t the only ones to benefit from this partnership. UVic kinesiology master’s students working in the area of occupational physiology assist Wolski in conducting her research and analysis.
“Heart attacks are the number one killer of working and retired fire fighters,” says Dr. Lynneth Wolski, of UVic’s school of physical education. “Fire fighters’ cardiovascular systems are put under enormous stress because of a combination of heat stress (from wearing their protective gear) and the physical demand of their duties. These transmitters mean we can monitor vital statistics from the moment the fire fighters hear the alarm, through the rescue, and during their recovery. Once we have sufficient data, we’ll be able to establish more accurate working standards.”
The transmitter technology can also be used when fire fighters are battling a blaze and face temperatures of up to 200° centigrade. Until now, paramedics staffing fire fighter rehabilitation stations at fire scenes had to rely on readings from ear thermometers to establish the cool-down times fire fighters had to wait before resuming their duties. Informal results from transmitter testing indicate ear temperature readings might not be completely accurate and fire fighters may be putting themselves at risk by returning to action too soon.
“This collaboration between UVic and the Victoria fire department is providing valuable and ground-breaking insights into the demands of firefighting,” says assistant Victoria fire chief Scott Woodburn. “The results will definitely help make working conditions safer for our members.”
Previous body monitoring technology was intrusive and confined both researchers and fire fighters to laboratories. The new telemetric (radio wave) system provides results during real life training and rescue scenarios.
The fire fighters aren’t the only ones to benefit from this partnership. UVic kinesiology master’s students working in the area of occupational physiology assist Wolski in conducting her research and analysis.
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Media contacts
Katie Josephson (City of Victoria) at (250) 361-0210 or kjosephson@victoria.ca
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Keywords: tiny, transmitter, assist, fighter, survival
