Re: Pulse Taking at PAC

["Laura Hayes" <mark@madbbs.com>]

I thought it was fairly commonplace to use the HRM devices - I just got back
into endurance after a few years away, and both rides I went to in Ontario
this year used HRM at the checks.

Laura Hayes AERC# 2741


----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger Rittenhouse" <roger@vmaxept.com>
To: "Linda B. Merims" <lbm@naisp.net>
Cc: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 8:21 PM
Subject: RC: Pulse Taking at PAC


> Rather then go into a long dialog, Lindia covered the major points
> quite well, I will provide some background and a general summary of the
> use of electronic HRM devices.
>
> I was contacted over a year ago by the PAC OC. They asked me what I
> thought of using the electronic HRM devices for this year's PAC.
> My initial thought was there would be no way the 'officials' would ever
> approve this. I also expected rider objections.
>
> The ACCURACY is NOT an issue- event though there are many who THINK
> these devices we are using are not accurate. The point I have made in
> a paper was I have PROOF of accuracy, the objectors have none.
> So ACCURACY aside, the devices WHEN USED CORRECTLY are going to give
> the correct and accurate HR.
>
> The equipment I use , as Linda did explain quite well, does take 12
> seconds to fill the buffers and present a valid HR. The device then
> continues to take a 2 second sample and perform a rolling 2 second
> average across 12 seconds worth of data. Quite a bit more accurate
> then the manual stethoscope method.
>
> I should mention that not ALL the current HRM devices on the market
perform the 2 second update. A few
> take up to 5 to 7 seconds and one does the reading based on a fixed
> number of pulses then computes the time.
> I prefer the 2 sec update devices.
>
> The decision to use electronic monitoring was spurred by the most noted
> 61 BPM pulse from the LAST PAC in Canada, where we all saw Christy and
> Tang get hit with a 20 minute penalty while in second place.
>
> The use of this device removed HUMAN count error.
>
> We had to work out a sample method that would 'please' all the vets and
> officials. A unit was tested by members of the OC last year, and
> accepted as a suitable method/device to obtain the HR.
>
> While a few or maybe many, were quite skeptical the device would be
> correct (the concern was not related to the accuracy), but would the
> unit display the correct pulse at a given point in time. The tests
> preformed by many of the vets at the PAC resolved most issues.
>
> The next issue was when to take a 'reading'. The 15 second read point was
> based on the read point of the count derived by a stethoscope.
> It takes a KNOWLEDGEABLE pulse taker about 5 seconds to find the HR -
> lub-dub, get the count in sync, wait for the TIME to hit the QTR
> points of 00.15.30.45, then start the 15 sec count.
> We all ASSUME the  counter KNOWS NOT to count the pulse at 00 AND 15, but
many do.
>
> The 4 samples of 15 seconds and note reading AFTER each 15 second
> point, equates to the SAME process used today. Count the lub-dub for 15sec
if 16, keep counting
> up to a full minute in 15 sec increments. Some takers use 30 seconds.
>
> We changed from 30 to 15, to match this process AND to address a horse
> that may move away from the device and lose the reading. The same problem
> occurs with the stethoscope. Then we have to re-find the HR and start
> over. Most pulse takers were able to 'dance' or  move with the horse and
> keep a good electrical contact and did not lose the reading.
>
> The purpose of all this process was to develop a fair and equal method of
taking the
> HR for the horses/rider without making the volunteer the 'bad guy'.
>
> No rider complained. I heard only 2 horses failed the 60 second
> reading, they were eliminated at that check. No one who was fit to go
> on was penalized with a 'bad' hr. A few - I heard 2 - horse were
> difficult to read due to the shape of the girth barrel. A vet was at
> the head of all the pulse lanes, who would jump in and take a 15 sec
> pulse IF the pulse taker was having a problem.
>
> The pulse takers were all relaxed and it was reported riders were quite
> comfortable with this process.
> One cool story -  rider came into the lane , announced the HR was 60
> and has been all day. The taker bent over to take the pulse, asked the
> rider if the monitor on his wrist was reading 60 now. WHY YES. The
> pulse taker QUITELY told the rider to remove the ANALOG watch on the
> SAME wrist with the monitor. Ride did so, was reported to look a bit
> pale. Been going all day reading the TIME CLOCK for a HR of 60. Horse
> passed with 52. Its in the User Guide to NOT wear a battery analog
> time clock with the monitor, but who reads directions anyway?
>
> It has been my position the pulse takers are there to do just that, get
> a number. We are NOT required to listen to the quality of the heart,
> look for any abnormality or any medical issue. The vets do that.
>
> I got little to NO feedback from ANY vets, which of course was a bit
> disappointing.
>
> There were NO backups with the pulse lanes but in VC 2 we did over
> load the vets. I was in that pileup. Got my foot stomped on just
> before I was trot out my horse ( I was Groom for Mary Kornwolf/Shiloh
> USA East)
>
> The end result was the device and the process was proven valid.
> I am sure this will help all the vendors and manufactures of these
> type of devices.
> I was not compensated in any way for providing these units to the OC.
> OPS - yes I was in the trade show. It should be noted that nowhere
> was our product or name mentioned in the credits. MAY have been nice?
>
> I wanted to prove the concept of electronic HR monitoring and the
> devices were accurate and valid.  We eliminated HUMAN error.
>
> The French and Italian FEI rides are using electronic HRM devices.
>
>   When objections were voiced, I wanted to just forget the whole thing.
> The OC decided all the objections would be resolved.
>
> Thanks to Donna Curtain and Dr Jerry Gillespie and Ruth Carlson for
> their support in this effort.
>
> Roger Rittenhouse
>
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
> Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>