Heat stress is a significant problem among soldiers, firefighters, and industrial workers. Heavy gear or firefighting equipment, protective clothing, and strenuous physical exertion cause the body core temperature to rise sharply. During activity, it can be hard to distinguish from being fatigued to overheated. Breaks and fluid intake help against heat injury, but when and how do you take these measures exactly? Here is where wearable technology comes in. One of our products, ARMOR Heat Monitor, is designed to help identify risks of overheating.

ARMOR Heat Monitor is a monitoring solution that accurately estimates changes in core body temperature and determines the Physiological Strain Index (PSI), presenting real-time information in an overview. The PSI is a rating of the relative heat strain on a scale of 1 to 12.  As soon as the heat strain of a participant is too high, the app will sound an alarm. The supervisor can then intervene immediately and initiate actions according to a defined protocol.

With populations growing and aging, hospitals and healthcare providers are under pressure. The COVID-19 pandemic has added to the pressure and complexity of providing adequate healthcare. One result of the current challenges is a deficit of trained staff, with the World Health Organization predicting a shortage of almost 13 million healthcare workers by 2035. How can we support one of the most vital services in our world? Wearable solutions can alleviate the strain on healthcare providers and their staff, from hospitals to care homes.

Wearables can track any number of biometric parameters, including a patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature. All the precise data can be collected and recorded automatically and remotely. For example, if a patient’s blood pressure suddenly rises, an automated system can recognize it and notify a doctor immediately. While the patient’s condition remains stable, the doctor can spend time with other patients. An added benefit is that this approach gives patients the option to be monitored at home, with more comfort, and potentially greater control over their own treatment.

In industrial work environments, employees also face challenging conditions. Think of handling hazardous materials, working in high temperatures with complex and powerful equipment. In some circumstances, a workplace can put workers at risk due to various environmental factors, such as extreme temperatures or inclement weather. In this sector, the use of wearables can also add value to create a safer working environment for employees.

A wearable alerts workers when they approach an unsafe area, such as a slippery floor or unstable surface, or when they get too close to a heavy machine. The wearables also measure physiological data, such as body temperature and perspiration. If the device indicates that an employee is about to overheat, the wearable will go off and the employee can rest. Wearables ensure that employees can responsibly exercise their profession in these physically demanding professions.