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Defence industry representative and former clearance diver Daniel Pace has called for greater awareness of brain injuries sustained by Australian Defence Force personnel using explosive equipment.
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Formerly of the Australian Defence Force, the Invicta Prospects Group (IPG) co-founder and chief executive officer, with co-founder Shane Acorn, designed the company’s risk-management software suite to increase safety and save lives.
The Buddy Suite family of software applications manages workforce capability and is designed to provide organisations with capability insight by simplifying the way activity data is captured.
“As a veteran clearance diver with 15 years’ service, I, along with my friends and colleagues, were exposed to thousands of blasts,” Pace said.
“I’ve personally seen many of those that were exposed deteriorate mentally and emotionally, and sadly, several of them took their own lives.
“Shane Acorn and I left Defence to solve this life-threatening issue. For us, this is personal, and we will not stop until the ADF protects its people.”
Pace’s comments follow a recent ABC investigation into how ADF personnel are affected by repetitive blast waves created during training and operations; including instances of long-term brain damage.
“Australian Defence Force soldiers are increasingly concerned about brain injuries caused by blasts from their own weapons,” Pace said.
“At Invicta Prospects Group, we’re committed to tackling this silent threat head-on with Blast Buddy. Our innovative solution leverages advanced sensors, AI-driven insights, and real-time diagnostics to manage and mitigate the risks associated with blast exposure.
“Blast Buddy provides personalised safety recommendations, ensuring that our soldiers can operate at peak performance while protecting their cognitive health for the long term.
“There are many innovative Australian companies with solutions that address this issue from prevention, minimisation, mitigation, and diagnosis to treatment. GLIA Diagnostics Pty Ltd and Layer 3 Services are two other Australian companies in this space, not to mention partner US companies like BlackBox Biometrics Inc.
“The work we’re doing at IPG isn’t just about technology; it’s about safeguarding the mental and physical wellbeing of those who protect us. As this issue gains more attention, we are dedicated to leading the charge in providing the ADF with the tools they need to keep our elite forces safe.”
