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Protection for Adults During Aquatic Physiotherapy
Medical Experts Develop New Ways to Protect Adults and Others Who May Be At Risk Near Water Hazards

Los Angeles , CA, November 12, 2002 — Terrapin Communications, manufacturer of the Safety Turtle® personal immersion alarm, today announced that the company has expanded sales of the company's alarm products for applications that protect adults with special needs, senior citizens, and adult patients who participate in aquatic physiotherapy exercises. The announcement was made upon completion of several months of testing with patients by Therapywerks, a Physical Therapy Clinic and Health Club located in Faribault, just south of Minneapolis, MN.

”Thanks to an innovation by Therapywerks, Safety Turtle is now affording a layer of protection for rehabilitation patients who exercise in water,“ said Robert Lyons, president and CEO of Terrapin Communications. ”Therapywerks has been very successful in demonstrating how the Safety Turtle alarm can be modified to protect senior citizens, patients with physical challenges, or any adult who may be at risk near a water hazard.“

”Safety Turtle addresses a real concern that I have had with my patients who participate in aquatic therapy,“ said Paul Hougan, founder and president of Thereapywerks. ”I have been particularly impressed with how patients have adopted the practice of using the Safety Turtle alarm. While the safety profile of our patients has been greatly improved with the installation of the Safety Turtle alarm, our patients hardly notice the alarm components and the alarm in no way affects their therapy experience.“

Therapywerks' patients wear a Turtle sun visor (photo right) or a Turtle headphone for musical accompaniment. The alarm will sound the instant the sensor is immersed in water. In addition, dispensable Turtles on cones at each corner of the pool [see photo] allow the attendant or another patient to immediately sound the alarm in the event of an emergency. The alarm sounds in the attendant's office, as well as in the main exercise area.

Drowning Is a Leading Cause of Death Among Older Adults
The new application of the Safety Turtle alarm addresses a serious concern tracked by the Centers For Disease Control (CDC). According to the latest data from the CDC, in 1991, there were 411 drowning deaths that year nationwide. 185 of the victims were between the ages of 65-74, 158 were between the ages of 75-84, and 68 were 85 or over.

About Safety Turtle
Safety Turtle uses patented water sensor and radio technology to signal its immersion in water. Introduced in 1999, Safety Turtle has been adopted by the pool & spa industry in North America and retail chains concerned with drowning prevention. Good Housekeeping stated in 2001 that Safety Turtle "works well." Safety Turtle also has been featured on a number of television news programs and entertainment talk shows, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC's Good Morning America and NBC's Today Show.

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