4 ms·

I can't imagine it would be that hard to make a body temperature sensor that beeps when body temp exceeds 101F. I know you can get an athletic one that pairs to

by foxyv 3y ago

I can't imagine it would be that hard to make a body temperature sensor that beeps when body temp exceeds 101F. I know you can get an athletic one that pairs to your bike computer for less than $300. It may be a good idea to use something like that for working in dangerous heat index levels. Seems like a great startup idea for preventing heat injuries at work sites. https://corebodytemp.com/ https://corebodytemp.com/

HeyLaughingBoy 3y ago
It's not: I worked for a company that was doing exactly that (with some other features). But at the same time, it's not hard to set a timer on your phone or watch to take a periodic water break either. And save yourself having to buy yet one more gadget.
- LorenPechtel 3y ago
  A sensor is more reliable as it protects you against local effects. (Say, working around machinery that puts out enough heat to change the protection you need.)
  - foxyv 3y ago
    One thing a lot of people don't take into account is that roads and un-shaded rock can increase perceived temperature by 10-20 degrees. I used to work as a rock climbing instructor and the top of the rock would be over 120F. Same for roads, which makes road construction particularly dangerous. For a while I worked weekends at the race track, all of the drunk people would drop like flies if it went over 100F. The pavement temperature was 150F+. It was like standing on a griddle. You could feel the radiated heat trying to cook your skin.
    - LorenPechtel 3y ago
      Even without introducing things like roads I have found it infeasible to get a reasonable air temperature measurement while hiking--something could probably be 3D printed but I don't have one. Garmin, what possessed you to make a *black* temperature sensor? And provide no proper sun shield for it? (Although I'm not sure how effective a sun shield would be. I've got a thermometer in the back yard that is inside a manufacturer's sun shield--vented white plastic--and it still can report 15 degrees above actual even though it's under a tree.) Even putting it something like an inch deep in my pack has produced readings of 90+ when hiking away from the sun for an extended period.
      - foxyv 3y ago
        This is because temperature is complicated. If you want to measure the air temperature you need to isolate from other systems like the 5770K fusion explosion in the sky and the 70-80C ground. (The Sun is constantly trying to reach equilibrium with the earth and would happily burn us to a cinder except we are re-radiating that energy back into space.) Typically measurements are taken in shaded, well ventilated areas, 5 feet off of the ground. If you want your Garmin to take a valid measurement, place it on a string, 5 feet from the ground, in a shaded area for 5-10 minutes.
        LorenPechtel 3y ago
        Which is completely useless when you're on the move.
        foxyv 3y ago
        It's just physics unfortunately. You might be able to use an IR camera to take a "Picture" of the ambient temperature and kind of take a stab at guessing, but a simple thermocouple is never going to be able to do what you are asking of it. However, that won't stop Garmin from selling one to you!
mrguyorama 3y ago
Once again, this is not a technology problem. We have ample knowledge of how to stay safe in high heat work, hell the US army has publicly available manuals on this. But a company does not care if a blue collar worker keels over on the job if they aren't forced to care by the government. Simple as.
- foxyv 3y ago
  I did not intend to imply that this would be sufficient to prevent heat stroke without other mandated safety measures. However I was thinking more along the lines of an additional precaution to regular breaks and plenty of cold water. My thought is to prevent death. There are circumstances under which no matter what procedures you use, heat stroke happens anyways. People with heart disease, diabetes, obesity, or even just a winter on the couch can contract heat stroke where everyone else is fine. Alcoholics tend to be the worst off. Heck, I kind of want something like this for mowing my lawn some days.

by foxyv 3y ago

HeyLaughingBoy 3y ago

It's not: I worked for a company that was doing exactly that (with some other features). But at the same time, it's not hard to set a timer on your phone or watch to take a periodic water break either. And save yourself having to buy yet one more gadget.

LorenPechtel 3y ago
A sensor is more reliable as it protects you against local effects. (Say, working around machinery that puts out enough heat to change the protection you need.)
- foxyv 3y ago
  One thing a lot of people don't take into account is that roads and un-shaded rock can increase perceived temperature by 10-20 degrees. I used to work as a rock climbing instructor and the top of the rock would be over 120F. Same for roads, which makes road construction particularly dangerous. For a while I worked weekends at the race track, all of the drunk people would drop like flies if it went over 100F. The pavement temperature was 150F+. It was like standing on a griddle. You could feel the radiated heat trying to cook your skin.
  - LorenPechtel 3y ago
    Even without introducing things like roads I have found it infeasible to get a reasonable air temperature measurement while hiking--something could probably be 3D printed but I don't have one. Garmin, what possessed you to make a *black* temperature sensor? And provide no proper sun shield for it? (Although I'm not sure how effective a sun shield would be. I've got a thermometer in the back yard that is inside a manufacturer's sun shield--vented white plastic--and it still can report 15 degrees above actual even though it's under a tree.) Even putting it something like an inch deep in my pack has produced readings of 90+ when hiking away from the sun for an extended period.
    - foxyv 3y ago
      This is because temperature is complicated. If you want to measure the air temperature you need to isolate from other systems like the 5770K fusion explosion in the sky and the 70-80C ground. (The Sun is constantly trying to reach equilibrium with the earth and would happily burn us to a cinder except we are re-radiating that energy back into space.) Typically measurements are taken in shaded, well ventilated areas, 5 feet off of the ground. If you want your Garmin to take a valid measurement, place it on a string, 5 feet from the ground, in a shaded area for 5-10 minutes.
      - LorenPechtel 3y ago
        Which is completely useless when you're on the move.
        foxyv 3y ago
        It's just physics unfortunately. You might be able to use an IR camera to take a "Picture" of the ambient temperature and kind of take a stab at guessing, but a simple thermocouple is never going to be able to do what you are asking of it. However, that won't stop Garmin from selling one to you!

mrguyorama 3y ago

Once again, this is not a technology problem. We have ample knowledge of how to stay safe in high heat work, hell the US army has publicly available manuals on this. But a company does not care if a blue collar worker keels over on the job if they aren't forced to care by the government. Simple as.

foxyv 3y ago
I did not intend to imply that this would be sufficient to prevent heat stroke without other mandated safety measures. However I was thinking more along the lines of an additional precaution to regular breaks and plenty of cold water. My thought is to prevent death. There are circumstances under which no matter what procedures you use, heat stroke happens anyways. People with heart disease, diabetes, obesity, or even just a winter on the couch can contract heat stroke where everyone else is fine. Alcoholics tend to be the worst off. Heck, I kind of want something like this for mowing my lawn some days.