Photo By Sgt. Derick Fennell | The Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological Defense which represents...... read more read more
TOWNSVILLE, Australia – In the Australian outback, the risk of heat-related injuries and illnesses rises. So does the opportunity to implement new technology that affords leaders the ability to keep an eye on when someone could be at risk of such an injury. With this information, leaders of a formation can make necessary adjustments to prevent a heat-related injury or illness before it takes place.
Such technology comes in the form of comfortable gear called Wearables. The Wearables Experiment uses equipment such as wrist-worn watches and other practical gadgets to view the user’s core body temperature, heart rate activity, and other physiological parameters that may indicate signs of exertional heat strain or heat injury.
With the U.S. Military and the Australian Defence Force (ADF), hosting their large-scale bilateral training exercise, Talisman Sabre 23 (TS23), this year in Australia, the opportunity to employ Wearables in an environment where they can collect maximum data presents itself.
“What we would like to learn is what decisions leaders would make on the battlefield with the information provided by the Wearables, and in both tactical and garrison environments how the information being gathered will affect any other operations that need to be done to keep their troops from injury,” said Biologist Bryan Rivers, with the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND), which is representing the Wearables Experiment.
Rivers said a goal of his team is to keep the amount of Wearables one person has to use minimal but still get the desired information. Their intent is for the devices to be unnoticeable and comfortable during all types of training and movement.
“During my physical activity, it was like it wasn’t even there but it still provided great feedback about my health and what I was trying to do better in,” said Spc. Jace Umbarger, 62nd Medical Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord. “When it came to my heart and respiratory rate it was super helpful information.”
Wearables also help the user stay within certain limits they set for themselves whether it be in the field or in the gym. With its many other functions, such as monitoring steps and heart rate, those who wear them can stay within the lines they set for their physical health.
“I’ve used the Wearable during early morning workouts to track that I’m staying within the lines of my CrossFit workouts and that I’m getting the necessary steps in to maintain my fitness,” said Lt. Col. Elizabeth Sebero, 62nd Medical Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
With the start of TS23 and the participation of many U.S. troops on ground, Rivers said this offers the Wearable equipment team a great opportunity to provide wide range data to the leadership of the units whose troops are out in the field for the exercise.
Being able to make on the spot tempo changes with knowledge of impending injuries can revolutionize how leaders command their formations, said Rivers. He said physical health is an important attribute for staying in the fight and how we monitor that can be just as vital.
| Date Taken: | 07.24.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 07.24.2023 19:44 |
| Story ID: | 449827 |
| Location: | QUEENSLAND, AU |
| Web Views: | 448 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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