Blood Oxygen Detection Device Will Save Swimmer’s Lives
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The United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has been at work developing and building a new life-saving device that would let instructors know if their student swimmers are about to pass out in the pool. The new device is called the FISH. It has had several different prototypes tested and now the Air Force is looking for private companies to license and commercialize the device for military and civilian customers.
The AFRL has put hypoxia at the top of their list of problems they would like their pilots and soldiers to avoid. Hypoxia is the medical term for running out of oxygen. It causes your heart rate to rise and will eventually lead to loss of consciousness and death. The AFRL has already developed a device that helped them understand why pilots were experiencing hypoxia, despite wearing an oxygen mask. Inspired by the pilot’s device, the AFRL decided to develop the same technology but only for swimmers, whether it be soldiers training in water or civilians working out.
The FISH (Flashing Indicator of Swimmer’s Health) is a small oximeter with LED lights. The device attaches to the swimmer and is battery powered. It utilizes the blinking LED lights to notify instructors and bystanders if the wearer’s blood oxygen levels are going down.
The device utilizes bright flashing LED lights to alert bystanders if the swimmer is about to pass out due to hypoxia. If the device isn’t flashing, then everything is okay, however if the lights flash green, then the wearer’s blood oxygen levels are low. If the device flashes red, then the wearer’s blood oxygen levels are dangerously low.
The device could save lives in many applications, from intensive military training to competitive swimmer training to a parent making sure their young child is safe in the swimming pool. The technology can help competitive swimmers and military personnel safely increase their lung capacity and endurance, since the device will alert if the swimmer is overdoing the exercise and is at risk of blacking out.
During military pool training, there could be dozens of trainees in a pool at once, making it hard to track swimmers and notice if someone is beginning to lose oxygen. The FISH helps instructors notice any dangerous situations due to the bright LED lights that have been designed to be noticeable when underwater.
There are currently two versions of the FISH according to Techlinkcenter.org, a version that mounts to the swimmer’s goggles and an arm sleeve version. Each has its own advantages relative to the other.
The FISH is currently at a high readiness level, making it ready for a commercial partner to help finalize and distribute the technology as a new product.
