Tiny Transmitter to Monitor Body Temperature
A researcher in Canada has an interesting idea (from Canada.com).
VANCOUVER (CP) - A researcher at the University of Victoria says a transmitter the size of a vitamin pill that firefighters can swallow will help save their lives from heart attacks - the No. 1 killer of those in the business of saving others.Lynneth Wolski, an occupational physiologist, said the combination of heat stress - from temperatures of up to 200 degrees centigrade - and heavy-duty protective gear worn in a stressful occupation puts firefighters at risk of heart attacks.
When swallowed, the tiny transmitter allows firefighters' core body temperature to be monitored so they can be pulled from a blaze or any high-stress rescue if their temperature is dangerously high.
Cost will be an issue with this device and the article addresses the costs associated with the transmitters.
Although I think this is interesting and may be a step forward in monitoring a firefighter's status at an incident, I don't think this is the best approach to reducing firefighter heart attacks.
There are the two things I think we need to work on. First, we need to improve the physical attributes of firefighters. This includes physical fitness, diet, and perhaps medications or nutritional supplements. Second, we need to improve protective gear so that it reduces the heat stress that firefighters endure.
