DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A SMART LIFE JACKET BASED ON ARDUINO MICROCONTROLLER AND WIRELESS COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES

ABSTRACT With increasing threats and the need for prompt emergency action, there has been a need to design intelligent solutions that ensure individual safety and build protection systems. Towards this end, the idea of designing a smart life jacket formed—a system integrated into the life jacket in which cutting-edge technology is combined with efficient rescue systems to help save lives in danger situations. The jacket is based on a microcontroller that functions as an actual real-time decision-making, data-processing device, which harvests data from a set of advanced biomedical sensors such as heart rate, blood oxygen level, and body temperature. The sensors allow continuous monitoring of the wearer's vital signs. Apart from enhancing security in watery environments, the system further comprises ultrasonic sensors for obstacle detection and a GPS module for accurate location tracking. For abnormal or emergency vital signs, the system auto-triggers: the jacket gives audio warnings and immediate SMS warnings via a GSM module to the rescue teams, thus accelerating the process of response. GPS tracking in real time ensures accurate information regarding the location of the user, considerably increasing the survival chances. The results confirm that it is a viable means for the development of smart rescue devices that facilitate enhanced public safety and minimized risk in aquatic settings.