Cost-Effective and Life-Saving: The Fascinating Story Behind the 'Lifesaver Stick' Created by High Schoolers

In a world where technology is advancing rapidly, it's inspiring to see young minds using their knowledge to make a difference. A group of students from Municipal Corporation High School KASPA in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, have developed a groundbreaking device that could save farmers from snakebites, a major cause of death in their region.  The students, including B Ravi Teja, T Yaswanth, N Daniel Raj, and D Sandeep, created a "lifesaver stick" that emits random vibrations up to five feet on the ground, signaling danger to snakes and keeping them away from farmers. The stick is equipped with a lithium battery, eccentric motor, and switch in the circuit, and it is cost-effective, with a production cost of only Rs 150. Moreover, the device is environmentally friendly since the batteries are rechargeable, making it affordable for farmers. It also features a light that makes it useful even during the twilight hours. In addition, the stick has a pouch carrying two Ayurvedic tablets prescribed by medical professionals. Ingesting these tablets will help reduce the effects of a snakebite until the farmer can be transported to the hospital. The students met with several Ayurvedic and allopathic doctors in the process of choosing the best medicine to be integrated into the stick. The students visited agricultural fields and interacted with more than 20 farmers to conduct a study on the characteristics, aggressiveness, seasonal activeness, and habitat of snakes and the underlying factors behind snakebites other than chance encounters. MNP Bhagya Lakshmi, a biology teacher at the Kaspa high school and the group leader for the project, supervised the study. The prototype was exhibited in the state-level science fair conducted by the state government, where it drew appreciation and accolades from officials. The project is a remarkable feat of innovation and could potentially save countless lives in the region.