IOT-Based Advanced Monitoring System for Outdoor Safety

Abstract

Mountain climbing is an exhilarating but risky adventure due to extreme environmental conditions and the remoteness of locations. Accidents can result in delayed or unsuccessful rescue operations due to a lack of real-time information on the climber\'s location and health status. This paper introduces an IoT-enabled monitoring system designed to mitigate such risks. By integrating heartbeat and temperature sensors with GPS, GSM, and an Atmega microcontroller, the system enables continuous real-time monitoring of vital signs and location. The system is capable of generating alerts when vital parameters exceed predefined thresholds, sending SMS notifications with GPS coordinates to designated contacts or rescue teams. Even in cases of network unavailability, the last recorded location aids rescue operations. The project highlights the use of IoT for real-time data visualization and emergency management, offering a lifesaving solution for climbers in remote and high-altitude environments. This system significantly enhances safety and responsiveness during outdoor expeditions.

Introduction

Mountain climbing is an activity that demands physical and mental strength but involves significant risks like falls, extreme weather, and medical emergencies, often complicated by remote and rugged terrain. Delays in reporting accidents and lack of real-time health and location data reduce rescue efficiency and survival chances. To address these issues, this project proposes an IoT-enabled safety system designed to continuously monitor climbers' vital signs (heart rate, body temperature) and track their GPS location in real time.

The system uses sensors integrated with a microcontroller (ESP32), GSM communication, and GPS modules to send alerts if health parameters cross safety thresholds. It provides immediate notifications via SMS to emergency contacts with the climber’s condition and precise location. The system also retains the last-known location if network coverage is lost, aiding rescuers in pinpointing the climber's whereabouts.

Beyond mountain climbing, this technology can support other high-risk outdoor activities like trekking and scientific expeditions, offering real-time monitoring, emergency alerts, and offline functionality for safety in remote areas.

A literature survey reviewed related technologies such as drone-assisted rescue, indoor IoT tracking, opportunistic communication, and healthcare monitoring systems, noting their strengths and limitations.

The system architecture involves sensors (heart rate, SpO2, accelerometer), GPS, a push-button for emergency signaling, and cloud-based data visualization via AWS. Testing demonstrated effective real-time monitoring, reliable emergency alerting, and accurate location tracking. The web dashboard enables centralized monitoring of vital signs and location.

Key outcomes include faster emergency response, reliability in remote conditions through offline capabilities, and versatility across various outdoor activities. Limitations include dependency on GSM networks and power consumption concerns, suggesting future improvements like satellite communication integration and energy optimization.

Conclusion

This project proposes an innovative IoT-enabled monitoring system designed to enhance the safety of mountain climbers by providing real-time tracking of their health and location in remote, high-altitude environments. By integrating sensors to monitor vital signs such as heart rate and body temperature, along with GPS for precise location tracking and GSM for emergency communication, the system offers a robust solution to mitigate the inherent risks of mountain climbing. The ability to send real-time alerts when health parameters exceed predefined thresholds, coupled with lastrecorded location data in the absence of network connectivity, significantly improves the chances of a timely and successful rescue operation. The IoT system addresses critical challenges in rescue operations, such as delayed responses due to the lack of real-time information, and the difficulty of locating climbers in rugged and remote terrains. The continuous monitoring of vital signs ensures that health crises, such as hypothermia or altitude sickness, can be detected early, while location tracking provides rescuers with the climber’s exact coordinates, even in cases of network failure. This system not only enhances climber safety but also optimizes the effectiveness of search-andrescue efforts, potentially saving lives. The implications of this project extend beyond mountain climbing to other highrisk outdoor activities such as trekking, wilderness exploration, and adventure sports. By offering real-time monitoring, emergency alerts, and precise location tracking, the system ensures a higher level of preparedness and response in dangerous environments, contributing to overall safety and survival. In conclusion, this IoT-based solution represents a significant step forward in the integration of technology into adventure safety, providing an essential tool for both adventurers and rescue teams in managing risks associated with outdoor expeditions.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Prof. Ms. Zarinabegam Kasimali Mundargi , Ishan Kale , Parth Deshmukh, Arnav Khilare. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.