its incumbent upon cryonics services to develop such a device & offer to living members asap, IMO:
it takes priority over shoveling funds towards tweaking cryonics preservation chemicals...
what percentage of preserved members did NOT start their cool-down within optimal period??!!
what good did tweaking chemicals do them?? let's get going on an optional proper device, please!!
GPT5 response:
This is a very good question — in short: not quite yet in a perfect, foolproof way — but there are devices and technologies getting close, and some currently available products that offer partial functionality (e.g. fall detection, heart-rate alerts, emergency call functions).
Here’s a breakdown:
What we’d ideally want
You asked for a device you can wear 24/7 that would detect if your breathing or heart stops, and automatically alert the nearest rescue squad/emergency services. In medical/engineering terms:
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You need continuous monitoring of vital signs (heart rate, pulse, possibly respiratory rate or oxygenation).
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You need a reliable algorithm that detects cardiopulmonary arrest (i.e. no pulse, no breathing) with very high accuracy (low false positives/negatives).
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It needs to autonomously initiate an emergency alert (call 911 or local EMS), share your location, possibly do two-way communication, etc.
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It must be wearable (comfortable, battery life, safe, always on).
That’s a tall order — the challenges include motion artifacts (how to tell “no pulse” vs “wrist moved badly”), false alarms, battery constraints, regulatory approval, and integration with EMS systems.
What is currently available / in development Recent advances
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Google’s Pixel Watch (via Fitbit/Google) has introduced a “Loss of Pulse Detection” feature, intended to detect when a person’s heart has stopped, and then automatically call emergency services. (IEEE Spectrum)
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The FDA recently cleared that “Loss of Pulse Detection” feature. (Cardiovascular Business)
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Research shows that commercially available smartwatch sensors (optical sensors, accelerometers) might be able to detect circulatory arrest (i.e. when blood flow / pulse stops) in controlled settings. (Resuscitation)
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But studies also note that sensitivity (i.e. how often it correctly catches an arrest) is imperfect. For example, one of the Google-related trials caught about 67% of induced loss-of-pulse episodes in lab settings. (IEEE Spectrum)
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Many devices are still in research or prototype stages for full automatic arrest detection + EMS alert. (Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes)
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For example, Corsano Health is developing a smartwatch intended to recognize cardiac arrests and automatically generate alarms. (Corsano Health)
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There is a company, Cardiac Arrest Technologies, that markets a “CA Rescue™ Watch” which claims to detect a suspected cardiac arrest event and instantly alert first responders. (Cardiac Arrest Technologies)
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In academic literature, there are proposals and proof-of-concept devices combining ECG / PPG / accelerometer sensors with machine learning to detect cardiac arrest. (Resuscitation)
So — we are getting close. The concept is viable and some products are starting to implement parts of it, but the reliability, regulatory certification, coverage, and real-world EMS integration still lag.
What exists today (partial / related devices)
Here are a few devices you can wear now that provide safety, tracking, or alerting features. None of them fully guarantee detection of heart stoppage or respiratory arrest, but they provide some protection and may help in emergencies:
MGMini Lite Wearable Medical Alert classic alert pendant
$46.95
LifeStation Sidekick Smart Watch alert + watch
$30.95
MobileHelp Micro Wearable Alert ultra compact alert
$34.95
Hexoskin Smart Device bio‑monitor shirt device
$650.00
Stay Safe Alert Smartwatch watch with monitoring
$42.95
SOS Medical Alert Watch watch with SOS
$39.95
Medical Guardian Mini Wearable mini alert wearable
$43.95
Health Smartwatch 4 general health watch
$79.99
Here are some highlights:
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MGMini Lite Wearable Medical Alert: A discreet wrist-wearable medical alert device with 24/7 monitoring and optional fall detection.
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LifeStation Sidekick Smart Watch: A smartwatch that integrates medical alert functionality (you can press a button to request help), along with standard fitness / health tracking features.
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MobileHelp Micro Wearable Alert: A compact wearable medical alert device with GPS and 24/7 monitoring, intended for both at-home and on-the-go protection.
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Hexoskin Smart Device: This is more on the biometric monitoring side — integrated into smart shirts it tracks respiratory rate, ECG events, etc. But it doesn’t itself initiate an EMS alert.
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Stay Safe Alert Smartwatch: A medical alert smartwatch with built-in emergency monitoring and cellular connectivity.
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SOS Medical Alert Watch: Similar concept — a watch with SOS/emergency alert built in, location tracking, communication with response center.
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Medical Guardian Mini Wearable: Mini wearable alert device with GPS and fall detection support.
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Health Smartwatch 4: More of a general smartwatch with health monitoring — heart rate, SpO₂ — but doesn’t necessarily auto-call EMS on arrest.
These devices are useful safety and monitoring tools, but none of them offer foolproof, guaranteed detection of heart stoppage or respiratory arrest with automatic EMS dispatch (at least not reliably, in all circumstances).
Limitations & caveats to be aware of
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False positives / negatives: Detecting “no pulse” is tricky, especially during movement, poor sensor contact, changes in blood perfusion, etc. A mis-detection could cause false alarms or a real event might be missed.
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Battery life: Constant high-fidelity sensing plus algorithm computation plus connectivity drains power; wearables have to balance features vs battery constraints.
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Regulation & liability: For a device to autonomously call EMS, it must meet regulatory safety / medical device standards. That takes time, testing, and market approvals.
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EMS integration: Having a device trigger “call 911” is only one piece — the dispatch center must correctly interpret and respond to that signal. Location, context, and false alarms must be handled.
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Coverage and connectivity: If you are somewhere without cell / network, the alert may not go through.
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Not a replacement for medical care: These devices are adjuncts. They can help, but they can’t guarantee survival if an arrest happens — speed of CPR and medical care still matter greatly.
My assessment & what I’d recommend
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If I were in your shoes and wanted “always-on protection,” I’d consider combining a high-quality wearable (e.g. smartwatch with advanced sensors and health alert capabilities) plus a medical alert service (with human monitoring, fall detection, emergency button).
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For example, a watch that supports “loss of pulse detection” (like the Google Pixel / Fitbit / future models) plus a backup medical alert service might provide redundancy.
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I’d also check with your physician / cardiologist to see if there’s a medically approved wearable best suited for your health profile (if you have known risk).
If you like, I can look up the currently best wearable devices (2025/2026) that do approach “automatic arrest detection + EMS calling” and compare them (pros, cons, cost). Do you want me to do that?
