April 22, 2011

Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit to Study Wireless Technology for the Prevention of Drowning in Bangladesh
http://www.jhsph.edu/iiru/news.html#turtle

The Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit will begin a new research project in rural Bangladesh this year that aims to study the acceptability of using wireless alarm systems in the prevention of drowning.

Unintentional injuries are the biggest killer of children ages 1-15 in Bangladesh and drowning presents the greatest risk. For children ages 1-4, drowning accounts for 20 percent of childhood mortality and causes 46 child deaths every day.

Water hazards like ponds and rivers surround many homes, so behavioral solutions such as playpens and swimming education have limited effect in the region. The Unit’s work, therefore, will center on studying a new solution – wireless alarm systems. Specifically, Dr. Labrique and Dr. Hyder will test the Safety Turtle from Terrapin Communications to evaluate its acceptability and functionality in rural Bangladesh. The Safety Turtle can be worn around a child’s wrist or ankle and will sound an alarm when immersed in water.

JSU will evaluate both the origninal Turtle and the new SOS sensor adapted for workplace, marine, lifeguard and aquatic physiotherapy use by adults. While activating within one second of complete immersion, Safety Turtle SOS will not false alarm due to heavy, prolonged rain / splash.


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