A portable multi-sensor datalogger for heart rate variability (HRV) study during skydiver's free fall

This paper explores the possibilities offered for a small data-acquisition module that is designed for occupational medicine in harsh environments. The device aims at collecting medical as well as environmental information simultaneously in a small volume. Our first, but not exclusive, goal application is parachute diving. The monitoring of the heart rate is performed by a 3 electrode ECG circuit. The purpose is to investigate the heart rhythm variability (HRV) for a person exposed to such an environment. In our case the influence of high altitudes and zero-gravity is examined. The module is equipped with 3 accelerometers to investigate the person's acceleration and position. The altitude is monitored with an absolute pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. The module uses the acronym RAMSES : "remote-analog-multisensor-ECG-system".