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Re: Wearable Computer causes Decontamination Dilemma

If the anthrax scare did not turn out to be a hoax, the victim that did 
not what to get the wearable wet, would surely be awarded the "Die 
Hard Wear Hard" darwin award.

However I suspect a 3101 phunny.

On 1 Apr 2001, at 9:06,  wrote:

> For those who haven't heard the news from Canada
> (disaster scene with most of the downtown core shut down),
> recent article,
> http://wearables.about.com/library/weekly/aa040101a.htm
> 
> (see related articles in yesterdays toronto star,
> www.torontostar.com and globe and mail, www.theglobeandmail.com)
> 
> Wearable Computer causes Decontamination Dilemma
> 
>    With the advent of wearable computers in widespread civilian use,
>    police, fire, and medical teams fear less than full cooperation from
>    victims of mass casualties or those suspected of carrying disease.
> 
>    [decon_unit_2001apr1.jpg]
>    DECON UNIT: People were stripped, decontaminated, and wrapped in
>    blankets by a specially trained strike force dressed in attack-proof
>    suits built for handling potentially toxic materials.
> 
> ...
>    Although none of the 18 people who were stripped down, showered with
>    a mild bleach disinfectant, and dressed in tyvek suits required
>    hospital treatment, the spokesperson said ``we can never be too
>    careful when dealing with a potential threat''. Domestic preparedness
>    is a growing worldwide concern, worth bringing together police, fire
>    departments, and military strike forces around the world to cooperate
>    in the global war on disease and biological hazards.
> 
>    With incidents of suspected contamination, all contaminated clothing,
>    including undergarments and jewelry, must be removed immediately. This
>    is no time for modesty. Clothing must be bagged for lab testing, as
>    well as evidence that could be used later in apprehending and
>    prosecuting the perpetrators.
> 
> ...   
>    Nevertheless, the control of contaminated persons who refuse to
>    cooperate with fire department or health services personnel is a
>    serious issue, and the potential for such situations is not only
>    possible but very likely, as became evident in yesterday's incident
>    when one of the victims refused to undress.
> 
>    The victim managed to avoid the pre-strip hose-down. Prior to being
>    stripped, victims are usually hosed down so that loose spores that
>    might have accumulated on clothing do not release in aerosol form. In
>    order to avoid the hose-down, the victim slipped out of the
>    decontamination lines formed by army personnel. It appears he did not
>    want to get his computer system wet. Most wearable computers
>    incorporate a head mounted display. Much like a miniature television
>    screen, such headworn displays have voltages as high as 13,000 volts
>    present, although most modern units use much lower voltages (420-480
>    volts for the Xybernaut product, versus 800 volts for the SONY
>    systems). Clearly these systems present unique decontamination
>    dilemmas. Moreover, wearable computers are often used as prostheses,
>    to monitor heart, respiration, and other physiological parameters.
>    Additionally, like eyeglasses, wearers often use them to see better. A
>    wearable computer user may feel dizzy or disoriented when the system
>    is removed, and cannot safely evacuate an area.
> 
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> 

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