Seeking WiFi-based personal alert device - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Rasterist
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 04:27:14 am
content: My wife and I just installed a small gym in our backyard. It's occurred to us that if either of us had an accident out there, there would be no way for the other to know. I've been thinking about how to deal with this issue, assuming the victim were still capable of minimal movement, but not able to get to their phone. There are personal alert systems that consist of a button on a bracelet or necklace that you can push, but they rely on a subscription service where someone on the other end then notifies someone else. It seems to me it would be simpler, faster, and cheaper to simply notify a designated recipient directly via SMS. Since the gym is covered by our WiFi network, the device wouldn't even need a cellphone subscription. Has anyone seen such a device?It sounds like it would be pretty simple to implement with an ESP (or one of the Particle boards) configured via its own web page, so it wouldn't even need a display. I've read a lot about ESPs, but I haven't developed for them, so I don't know if there are SMS libraries. Anybody know? Of course, someone would get a recurring fee if I used SMS, but I have to believe it would be way less expensive than one of the aforementioned services.Any comments or criticisms appreciated.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 05:12:44 am
content: I don't think EPIRBs need a subscription to work. They're just transmitters that broadcast on the emergency alert frequencies when activated and I can't imagine the emergency services would check if the transmitter has a subscription because of the liability if they get it wrong. The main problem I see is where to place the transmitter so it can be easily activated if necessary, but not likely to be activated by mistake.Perhaps a better solution would be to install a wireless security camera and make sure the other person is always monitoring it, even if only by occasionally glancing at it? You can use a Raspberry Pi camera or ESP32 camera (the latter is especially cheap) if you don't trust the ready made ones.

author: Rasterist
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 05:27:05 am
content: True, EPIRBs don't require a subscription, but they (like PLBs, which would be better suited for this application), transmit to a satellite, then to search-and-rescue, then they call whoever you designate in your EPIRB/PLB record on file. While that's my wife, it still amounts to a lot of tech and people between me and her that seems unnecessary. Having to watch a screen, even periodically, is too much of an intrusion and subject to interruption. The nice thing about SMS is that it will notify the other person even if they're not in the house.

author: lordium
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 08:10:27 am
content: I'm not a "gym" person, but I can see some scenarios which could end badly (weighted bar over chest etc.). But I cannot see how any kind of device could help in this kind of situation (other than maybe providing a false sense of security). A better and safer option would be not to do dangerous activities alone. Do other ones first and then team up for those that needs supervision (couples therapy bonus time). Otherwise most smartphones these days do have some kind of assistant which can be summoned by voice to call for help.

author: Rasterist
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 08:17:34 am
content: We don’t do anything that’s really inherently dangerous, but exercise involves stress and it’s stress-related things we’re thinking about (e.g. a heart attack). We don’t have our phones on our body when working out and might not be able to get to them in an emergency. Wearing a necklace or bracelet with just a button to press would be a better solution than hoping Siri or whoever could hear and understand us.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 01:32:26 pm
content: There are keychain remote kits for fairly cheap, perhaps one of those can be interfaced to an ESP8266 or ESP32? Could add that to the ESP32 security camera idea to trigger an alert and send a picture.

author: Scrts
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 02:21:04 pm
content: I haven't seen a person in a gym without a mobile phone. I could probably dial 911/112 with my foot toe without unlocking the screen if it's really bad...

author: Rasterist
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 04:49:39 pm
content: Since posting I’ve come across these (https://flic.io/). With a little IFTTT/Zapier/Twilio I can probably get one to do what I want.