Drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged 1 to 4 in the United States, according to a recent report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Alarming trends indicate that even older children continue to be at risk, underscoring the persistent threat of water-related incidents.

The report sheds light on the urgency of maintaining a vigilant approach to water safety, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness not only during the summer months, but throughout the year. Despite some reductions in the average number of pool- or spa-related fatal drownings for children under 15 between 2018 and 2022, the CPSC remains concerned about the continued prevalence of such incidents.

WAVE’s drowning prevention systems, in use at more than 100 facilities including YMCA's and Boys and Girls Clubs across the US, already safeguard thousands of swimmers. And WAVE just added another education client, the prestigious Harker School in San Jose, California, and its first international client in Lithuania.

With projected revenues of $3.9 million in 2024 and $13 million in 2025, WAVE is proving that its innovative approach to water safety presents a viable solution to the ongoing public health challenge. 

Given that there are over 20,000 drownings and 4,000 fatalities annually in the U.S, the adoption of WAVE’s technology on a larger scale will have a transformative impact. With a vision for global deployment, WAVE can help prevent needless drownings and save tens of thousands of lives, having a tremendous positive impact on communities around the world.

Please contact Mitchell Hauser for more information or to arrange a meeting with Mark Caron, WAVE’s CEO.

The Evolution of Wearable Alert Systems: From Health Care to Lifestyle, Personal Safety, and Beyond

In 1972, gerontologist Andrew Dibner's curiosity about how elderly individuals might seek help when alone sparked the inception of smart medical alert systems, turning a conceptual vision into tangible reality.* Decades later, these medical alert devices have evolved into much more.

In our tech-driven world, smart personal alert systems are vital for maintaining independence while ensuring health and safety. These devices combine traditional features with cutting-edge technology, offering advanced monitoring and proactive personal safety and healthy lifestyle.

Smart alert systems, or personal emergency response systems (PERS), are wearable devices with call buttons that connect users to monitoring centers for quick assistance during medical emergencies or personal crises.

Smart personal medical and safety alert systems offer crucial features: wearable devices with GPS tracking ensure real-time location monitoring, essential for those prone to wandering. Fall detection sensors issue alerts automatically, aiding at-risk individuals unable to activate the call button. Two-way voice communication allows direct interaction with staff or contacts, sharing needs until help arrives. Some systems have mobile apps for caregivers, enabling real-time monitoring and information sharing. They also include health and activity monitoring, tracking vital signs and medication reminders, and integrate with other health devices for proactive management.

These wearable devices offer various benefits, providing 24/7 assistance for emergencies, falls, or personal crises, enhancing safety. They promote independence while keeping users connected to assistance, offering peace of mind for both users and loved ones. With swift response capabilities, they summon assistance within minutes, minimizing risks during emergencies. Moreover, they improve care coordination by providing real-time access to users' statuses and locations, facilitating better communication among caregivers, family, and healthcare professionals. Additionally, they include features for health and activity monitoring, empowering users to manage their well-being effectively.

The Future: Beyond Smart Medical Alert Systems

As technology continues to advance, these systems are poised to transcend their current capabilities and provide revolutionary benefits not just for personal health, but for safety, lifestyle, home automation, and more:*

• Personal safety devices: Discreet devices capable of attracting attention and deterring attackers.

• Smart Home integration: Seamless integration with home automation for environment-based emergency responses.

• Global connectivity and universal assistance: Access to emergency services regardless of location.

• Merging health and lifestyle: Smart devices seamlessly blending into daily life while prioritizing health and safety.

• Fashionable form factors: Functional and stylish designs encouraging widespread adoption.

• Smart and responsible pet care: Pet-friendly tags ensuring continuous alerts for medical emergencies, feeding schedules, and locating missing pets.

  
  

WAVE: Elevating the Personal Safety Standard with Drowning Prevention Technology

One such revolutionary personal safety alert product gaining significant traction is the WAVE Drowning Prevention System (https://www.saferswimming.com). Much like seat belts, bicycle helmets, and car seats, which are personal safety technologies that have become widespread and have had a significant positive impact on personal safety, WAVE’s technology is poised to become the new safety standard for swimmers everywhere.

In the US alone, there are over 20,000 drownings and 4,000 fatalities annually. WAVE’s unique technology addresses this risk by promptly alerting lifeguards or guardians when a swimmer is in immediate danger, significantly reducing the likelihood of tragic outcomes. Much the way a LifeAlert™ wearable is worn by an elderly or disabled person to help alert loved ones or other guardians that they’ve fallen and need assistance, the WAVE Tracker is worn by a swimmer and alerts lifeguards or family members that a swimmer has been submerged for too long and is in imminent danger of drowning.

The combination of WAVE Trackers on swimmers and WAVE’s Lifeguard Entry Alert (LEA) Tags, which send an alert when a guard has entered the water, can dramatically reduce the risk of drowning, since WAVE’s technology can be deployed not just in pools, but in lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water, and works whether the water is clear or murky. These smart, personal safety wearables from WAVE are already changing the way YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, schools, and municipalities are protecting swimmers and their families every day, and are deployed in 26 states across the country. 

Sources: *https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/reflection-medical-technology-evolution-alert-systems-karthikeyan-bgi9c/?trk=public_post_main-feed-card_feed-article-content

**https://techjustify.com/the-evolution-of-medical-alert-systems/

The car wash market in China (the world’s largest) is just beginning to take off. Splash continues to ride this enormous wave and they’ve had continued solid growth across their portfolio:

• In Q4’23, Splash achieved 1.75M RMB (243K USD) in net revenues, marking their highest quarterly figure to date. This figure surpassed their Q3’23 results by 44%, and their Q4’22 results by 66%

• Splash has seen remarkable growth in their core Express wash business, with a 73% increase in growth compared to Q3

• Splash achieved its highest-ever quarterly volume figure in Q4’23, serving a total of 95,231 customers. This represents a quarterly growth of 58% and a year-on-year increase of 42%

• Splash’s core Express business saw a remarkable 64% customer growth, including a staggering 146% increase in Stabilizing site ADVs

• Splash launched its largest-ever marketing campaign in Q4’23, investing 61k RMB (8,495 USD). This initiative yielded 91k RMB in immediate sales and brought in over 1,800 new users for Splash

  
  

For further information or to set up time to speak with Splash's CEO, Rob Shesol, please contact Tony Coretto.

The accuracy, efficiency, flexibility, and precision of EMPEQ’sFast Site Survey data capture app has led to new honors, commitments, and contracts:

• The German Energy Agency, in cooperation with the World Energy Council, has named EMPEQ one of the world’s 100 most promising energy startups of 2024. To see the list, click here.

• EMPEQ has been chosen to join the prestigious Vermont Clean Tech Accelerator program

• EMPEQ was chosen to present at the 2024 ACEEE Hot Water & Hot Air Forum, and will explore how AI technologies like Fast Site Survey are addressing labor shortages in the clean heating and cooling industry

• Program Manager Shawn Gregoire met with the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass at the AFA Warfare Symposium, building on their close working relationship with the USAF

• EMPEQ participated in the 2024 HUSTLE roundtable hosted by Griffiss Institute

  
  

For further information on EMPEQ or to arrange a call with the CEO, Hebert Dwyer, please contact Mitchell Hauser. 

CircuitMeter continues to see one of its largest industrial clients, U.S. based multinational manufacturing company Plexus Corp., systematically expand the scope of its Forensic Energy Management system throughout its global portfolio of facilities. 

The ongoing installation of CircuitMeter technology across its global portfolio is reflective of key commitments to innovation, environmental sustainability, and cost competitiveness. Plexus’ goals regarding the reduction of Energy & Emissions includes an ongoing program to understand inefficient energy use through sub-metering technology to drive equipment optimization and replacement decisions. 

Plexus’ continuing program to install more WebMeter48s and increase the percentage of equipment included in the real time sub-metering program globally, is being credited as a major factor in its year over year performance in terms of the reduction of energy use, cost, and intensity.

For further information on CircuitMeter or to arrange a call with the CEO, Paul Mertes, please contact Mitchell Hauser. 

Defender is a wound care life cycle treatment company that is shifting the traditional care to be patient-centric, which with its patented technology, it accelerates the healing of diabetic foot ulcers by up to 66%. The market is taking notice, and Defender has demonstrated continued growth:

• MacLean Medical, US govt distribution partner, qualified Defender for the MSPV (Medical Surgical Prime Vendor) program, which will go live nationwide in the next 30 days, providing access to all VA hospitals

• InfuSystem, currently serving over 5,000 veterans with DFUs, has applied for CMS and US gov’t approval to deliver Defender to home-bound veterans, beginning end of 1Q2024

• Foot Defender+ approved for billing of $1,800/month for RPM, and also approved for MIPS 9% refund on annual Medicare billing

• SC Butler instituting independent sales network in the Central US with more than 30 sales team members; projected to sell over 500 Foot Defenders per month

  
  

Please contact Tony Coretto for more information or to arrange a meeting with Jason Hanft, Defender’s CEO. 

YouSolar is a renewable energy company that aims to address the problem of unreliable power supply and high energy costs. They offer innovative solar energy solutions that combine solar panels, battery storage, and an intelligent energy management system into a solar micro-grid by harnessing solar power and efficiently storing excess energy.

• YouSolar partners with Stocker & Allaire General Contractors for delivering reliable power to custom homes. Their PowerBloc will provide true whole-home power, boosting utility service to 600 A and providing uninterruptible, primary power even during multi-day outages. To read more, click here.

  
  

For further information on YouSolar or to arrange a call with the CEO, Arnold Leitner, please contact Mitchell Hauser.

Tony Coretto, SV Managing Director, met with WAVE CEO, Mark Caron, and members of the WAVE senior team for a working session (and some skiing!) in early February.

Mitchell Hauser, SV Managing Partner, spent some time hiking in the foothills of the Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah on a recent family vacation.