One day, a heart-stopping incident occurred on the football field of a local high school. A student collapsed during conditioning and lost consciousness within minutes. Thanks to the quick actions of his coaches, who performed CPR and used an AED, his life was saved.

This close call highlighted a critical issue: the need for immediate intervention in life-threatening situations. In the US, at least 11 football players died of heat stroke between 2018 and 2022 [1]. Especially in Florida, where summer temperatures often exceed 90 degrees, the risk is higher than other states.

The Birth of the HH-Band

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, students from Strawberry Crest High School - Patrick Cseh, Anna Steed, Mehar Chhabra, Aarushi Pant, Varun Patel, Mahika Balaraju, Leya Alexander, Lydia Linares, Jay Chaplot, and Shruthik Pampati - created the Human Health (HH) Band: a cutting-edge device designed to save lives on the field. This wearable technology monitors athletes' vitals in real-time and alerts coaches at the first sign of danger.

The students' initial goal was to build a prototype. They modified existing sensor technology to be safe for sports use and developed an app to communicate with multiple sensors at once. Silicone bands house the sensors, ensuring they can be worn comfortably under sports gear. Collaborating with medical professionals, they set the app's parameters and worked with software engineers to create an intuitive interface.

“They learned project management, teamwork, presenting, speaking, networking and professionalism skills. This was a major project that required students to delegate tasks and come together for the finished project. It really was a special experience as a teacher to watch my students grow in these other capacities,” said their IB Biology teacher, Christina Rutledge.

Play Hard, Stay Safe

The HH-Band project highlights the power of youth innovation and the importance of community support. The students have demonstrated remarkable dedication and ingenuity in addressing a serious issue that affects student-athletes globally. Their journey from witnessing a near-tragedy to developing a life-saving technology is a testament to what young minds can achieve with the right guidance and resources.

The HH-Band is more than just a project; it is a mission to save lives and make sports safer for everyone. Please support their mission to enhance safety and protect athletes.

[Reference]

[1] National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill