How to Shorten the Rescue Time in Marathon by Using BLE Communication Devices: A New Study for the EMS System in Taiwan

Abstract

Introduction:

More than one million runners have joined the marathon games since 2007 in Taiwan. There were over 150 marathon games held in Taiwan in 2018. The increase rate was 21% as compared to that of 2014. The medical encounter rate was 1.33% in 2015 and increased to 1.41% in 2017. The most common type of injury was muscle spasm. The second most common was abrasion due to falls. The treatment for muscle spasm was RICE only. Cardiac arrest of marathon runners was reported occasionally and time is critical for rescue.

Aim:

To shorten the rescue time of the runners in an emergency. Base on the prodromal research, BLE communication technology is further used to improve the rescue positioning communication technology in the marathon.

Methods:

After rescue notification devices have been set up in each 0.5 km on the runway of the marathon, the runner can send a rescue signal through the rescue notification devices in case of emergency. The rescue signal, periodically advertisement SN# with rescue mark, of the runner can be precisely located and the rescue can be started very soon.

Results:

In the simulation, the rescue signal can be located in 7.5 minutes, fastest in 3 seconds. The precision rate of timing is ±160ms/6σ that under IAAF accuracy requirement. The location error is less than 20 meters, and the rescue time can be shortened to one half as before.

Discussion:

The rescue time of runner is correlated with the quality of marathon EMS. It is critical to the runner, especially in cardiac arrest. By using BLE communication devices, the runner can be located faster and more precisely. As rescue time shortened, CPR & AED can be given sooner. The quality of marathon EMS will be improved substantially.