Rescue notification system with accurate location estimation for injuries in city Marathons

ABSTRACT This study proposes a simple location-based rescue request system for use in city marathons with large numbers of athletes. Instead of using passive radio frequency identification technology, the proposed system employs initiative Bluetooth low-energy communication technology. When an athlete is injured, they can immediately transmit a rescue request that contains their estimated location and the time of the injury. Upon receiving the rescue request, medical staff can respond rapidly. This study included three parts. First, the time required for a rescue team to receive a request from an injured athlete was estimated based on past international city marathon race records. Then, a software simulation was performed to extract the simplest transfer parameter requirements for system positioning. Finally, experimental samples were produced for field verification, and the rescue notification timing system was developed. This approach was found to successfully deliver 97.4%–99.9% of the athletes’ request messages within 3–4 min and maintains the error range of the rescue locations under 15 m. It is appropriate for use in city marathons owing to its simple structure, low weight, low cost, and need for only common commercial technologies that are ready for mass production.