Researchers from Aberdeen University are at the stage of testing a new stick-on patch which could help Mountain Rescue Teams monitor the health of casualties during rescues.
The new patch would be placed on the casualty and would monitor vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate. This information could then be transmitted by the patch to hospital doctors. At the moment rescue teams monitor the health of each casualty, but during long or difficult evacuations this can mean stopping the stretcher and opening up covers and clothing to check the heart rate for example.
The University of Aberdeen has been working with the Centre for Rural Health in Inverness to develop the device. In its first stage of development, the patch would transmit to a hand held computer which would alert rescue team members to any change in the casualty’s condition and the need for medical assistance. In the long term it is hoped the device could transmit to a local hospital where doctors could monitor the situation and provide advice and assistance to the rescue team and be better prepared when the casualty arrives.
It is expected that the stick-on patch will take a further 3 to 5 years of testing and development before it can be used professionally during rescues.