We wanted to help firefighters before, during, and after a fire by evaluating and helping their breathing rate. We chose to help firefighters’ breathing rate due to their strenuous conditions that are typically overlooked by the general public. Numerous firefighters have said that their heart rate can go from complete rest to dangerous levels in a matter of seconds. We decided to create a neck piece with a stethoscope on one side (to measure the heart rate) with a vibration notification when the pulse is too high (over 120). This vibration acts as a warning to the firefighter to start breathing exercises and to be aware that their pulse has been elevated for too long. In medical emergencies, if the heart rate stays at an elevated level doctors can perform carotid artery massage.

Rubbing the carotid sinus stimulates an area in the artery wall that contains nerve endings. These nerves respond to changes in blood pressure and are capable of slowing the heart rate. The response to this simple procedure often slows a rapid heart rate (for example, atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia), it important to massage in a circular motion for 5 seconds on one side of the neck (underneath the jaw). 

In addition, we also created a carbon monoxide sensor that will the read carbon monoxide in the air and will warn the person through a buzzer when the carbon monoxide in the air is beginning to become too dangerous. Carbon monoxide as well as other numerous chemicals are in a fire’s smoke and are perilous to humans. This sensor later can be adjusted to read more hazardous chemicals in the smoke which will help firefighters lower their chances of cancer and other illnesses. Firefighters are frequently exposed to significant concentrations of hazardous materials including carbon monoxide, benzene, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen cyanide, aldehydes, hydrogen chloride, dichlorofluoromethane, and particulates. Our aim was to prevent this exposure to these biomedical dangers.