CPR Device Could Save Lives

GISMO CAFE
The only thing scarier than having to perform CPR is wondering if you’re performing it correctly. That nagging doubt may soon be a thing of the past, thanks to a pair of university students from Ontario, Canada, who have developed a specialized “CPR Glove”. The device can measure a victim’s heart rate to make sure they’re in need of resuscitation, while other sensors monitor the accuracy of chest compressions by analyzing the speed, depth, and pressure of thrusts.

Unexpectedly, the CPR Glove won first prize at the recent Ontario Engineering Competition. The creators include two Hamilton McMaster University students, Corey Centen, 22, and Nilesh Patel, 21. They’ll be sharing the $4,000 prize and a place at the national championships this week in Saskatchewan. Perhaps the most impressive part of the CPR Glove is its LCD screen, which uses the same technology as computer monitor and cell phone displays. The sensors and electrodes within the life-saving device have the ability to tell a user if they’re performing the CPR procedure properly, taking some of the scare out of pressure-laden resuscitation situations. Investors are already showing interest in the CPR Glove, meaning it likely won’t be the last $4,000 Centen and Patel see for their hard work.

The prototype cost about $250 to build, but Centen and Patel say it could be cheaper if the components aren't bought individually. "We're trying to create the most user-friendly device that can be used by anybody who has no medical background," said Centen.