IoT Band: A Wearable Sensor System to Track Vital Data and Location of Missing or Earthquake Victims

Abstract

Natural disasters, especially earthquakes, have caused and still cause serious loss of life
in our country. Since many of our cities are located on fault lines, earthquake or collapse
risks threaten our lives. In this study, a wearable sensor and tracking system has been
developed to prevent or minimize the loss of life after a possible earthquake. The
presented system consists of a wristband prototype designed to instantly monitor the vital
data and location of victims trapped under the rubble. The wristband prototype includes
a GPS module, a temperature sensor and a pulse oximeter. While the vital data of the
victim is monitored by the temperature sensor and pulse oximeter, the location
information of the victim is received via GPS. The data read from these sensors via a
controller is transferred to a display screen through a wireless communication module. A
computer and a mobile application were developed as the display screen. A Wi-Fi module
was preferred for wireless communication. As an alternative to the Wi-Fi module, a GSM
module was added to the wristband prototype. Thus, the order and time of rescue
interventions for people trapped under the rubble can be determined. The presented work
can be used not only for collapse and earthquake victims but also for Alzheimer's patients
or people with poor mental development thanks to the GSM module. In this case, the
patient's vital data and location will be transmitted to the user's relatives.