A method for monitoring tidal volume of an individual the method comprising: providing a microprocessor and an electrically-conductive, elastomeric band in electrical communication with the microprocessor: wherein the microprocessor comprises memory and a circuit for detecting postural orientation; wherein the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band comprises: a resistance that is linearly variable over a three to fifty percent stretch of the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band; and a first end and a second end; wherein the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band is operably coupled with the microprocessor in such a manner that, in conjunction with the elasticity of the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band, the microprocessor and the first and second ends of the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band are maintained just above the bottom of the individual's sternum and the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band extends and is maintained around the individual's thorax in a path that encircles the individual at the individual's lowest rib or follows a groove just above the lowest rib of the individual's lower ribcage and is higher at a front of the individual and lower along a back of the individual; and wherein, when so positioned, changes in measured resistance of the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band correspond to tidal volume of the individual; monitoring respiratory activity of the individual with the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band and the microprocessor during a period of time by causing said microprocessor to continuously collect raw resistance data from the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band; blurring the raw resistance data by averaging a given raw resistance data sample with other raw resistance data samples over 0.3 to 1.0 seconds of the raw resistance data to filter out artifacts; determining a beginning of a breath cycle and an end of a breath cycle based on the blurred data; and recording an adverse event if a pre-determined period of time has elapsed without a new breath cycle commencing. providing a microprocessor and an electrically-conductive, elastomeric band in electrical communication with the microprocessor: wherein the microprocessor comprises memory and a circuit for detecting postural orientation; wherein the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band comprises: a resistance that is linearly variable over a three to fifty percent stretch of the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band; and a first end and a second end; wherein the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band is operably coupled with the microprocessor in such a manner that, in conjunction with the elasticity of the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band, the microprocessor and the first and second ends of the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band are maintained just above the bottom of the individual's sternum and the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band extends and is maintained around the individual's thorax in a path that encircles the individual at the individual's lowest rib or follows a groove just above the lowest rib of the individual's lower ribcage and is higher at a front of the individual and lower along a back of the individual; and wherein, when so positioned, changes in measured resistance of the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band correspond to tidal volume of the individual; wherein the microprocessor comprises memory and a circuit for detecting postural orientation; wherein the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band comprises: a resistance that is linearly variable over a three to fifty percent stretch of the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band; and a first end and a second end; a resistance that is linearly variable over a three to fifty percent stretch of the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band; and a first end and a second end; wherein the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band is operably coupled with the microprocessor in such a manner that, in conjunction with the elasticity of the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band, the microprocessor and the first and second ends of the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band are maintained just above the bottom of the individual's sternum and the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band extends and is maintained around the individual's thorax in a path that encircles the individual at the individual's lowest rib or follows a groove just above the lowest rib of the individual's lower ribcage and is higher at a front of the individual and lower along a back of the individual; and wherein, when so positioned, changes in measured resistance of the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band correspond to tidal volume of the individual; monitoring respiratory activity of the individual with the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band and the microprocessor during a period of time by causing said microprocessor to continuously collect raw resistance data from the electrically-conductive, elastomeric band; blurring the raw resistance data by averaging a given raw resistance data sample with other raw resistance data samples over 0.3 to 1.0 seconds of the raw resistance data to filter out artifacts; determining a beginning of a breath cycle and an end of a breath cycle based on the blurred data; and recording an adverse event if a pre-determined period of time has elapsed without a new breath cycle commencing.