Imagine Nathan, a 58 year old grandfather of three, suffering from coronary heart disease. His doctor has recommended a daily walk for 30 minutes but Nathan has been delaying it for weeks in fear of a sudden stroke, heart attack or a simple fall while walking.

According to the World Health Organization the leading causes of mortality in the world are cardio vascular diseases (CVD). This problem can be handled best by preventing further complications and living a balanced lifestyle. Studies have shown that regular exercises through walking and swimming are the best ways to prevent further complications.

However, due the unpredictable nature of CVD many sufferers are either discouraged or not able to do the simplest and the most important exercise in their list, regular walks. This can be because of fear of getting too far away from their home, their safe zone.

There is a need to reduce this fear so people can go on a scenic, refreshing and a healthy long walk by making them feel safer.

Let’s get back to Nathan. His loving family buys him WalkSafe. They connect the home receiver it to their PC. Nathan wears the small WalkSafe wrist band and the chest strap that comes with it and goes for a walk around his neighborhood.

WalkSafe implements four main features; proximity sensor, vital statistics sensor, an accelerometer and a Vibration-Voice Alert System. Similar products are already available in the market, however the two main differentiating features are the accelerometer and Vibration-Voice Alert Alarm.

Proximity sensor works by detecting host/client communication loss. If the person goes too far away a voice alarm and a vibrating alarm goes off on Nathan's wrist band. The Vibration-Voice Alert System (VVAS) is a novel solution for people who are suffering from low vision (voice) or hearing loss (vibration).

Vital statistics are measured by the WalkSafe Chest Strap to keep a check on their heart condition. If tachycardia or arrhythmia is detected, a VVAS alarm goes off on Nathan’s WalkSafe wrist band and at home. The loud wrist band will call to attention nearby people.

Accelerometer is used to detect sudden falls. A simple fall or a fainting spell due to other underlying condition triggers a WalkSafe wrist band VVAS alarm and a home base alarm.The loud wrist band will call to attention nearby people.

This device can be as helpful to people living alone. Nathan can use the WalkSafe Progress software on his PC to keep track of his everyday walk program and work on his progress. This encourages him to keep up his schedule and live a healthier life. Lastly, live data can be accessed through the internet. Nathan’s son can access it to check on his pulse rate and blood pressure and time spent walking.

WalkSafe has huge potential in the multi-million dollar personal portable medical devices industry and we know it would encourage a large number of people to go out and enjoy the freshness of a nice evening walk, feeling safer.