Transcript Technology in Search and Rescue Efforts

Technology in
Search and Rescue Efforts
General Overview
• What is Civil Air Patrol?
• Emergency Services
• Technology Used/Being Implemented
– Video Scan Equipment
– Emergency Location Transmitters
– Search Theory applied to SAR
• Conclusions
What is Civil Air Patrol
• Official Auxiliary of the US Air Force
• Made up of Civilian Volunteers
– Created Dec. 1, 1941
• Performed SAR, Coastal Patrols, and other
functions for War Department
– July 1, 1946, President Truman incorporated
CAP as a benevolent, nonprofit organization.
•Personal Background Information
•Member since 1992
•Currently 1Lt. With GTM Rating, and about 100 hours of
SAR training/actual missions
CAP Organization
CAP Resources
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Aviation Assets
Ground Assets
Communications
Supplies & Equipment
CAP Missions
• Aerospace Education
• Cadet Programs
• Emergency Services
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Reconnaissance
Counter drug
Transportation
DR
SAR
Commonly Used Technology in
Civil Air Patrol
• Usual Stuff
• Video Scanning Equipment
• Emergency Location Transmitters
• Applications of Search Theory
The Usual Stuff
o Databases for Paperwork
o GPS/Map Programs
o Communications
o Cell Phones
o Internet for Media Coverage
o Laptop/PDA’s to transmit data to teams
Commonly Used Technology in
Civil Air Patrol
• Usual Stuff
• Video Scanning Equipment
• Emergency Location Transmitters
• Applications of Search Theory
Video Scanning Equipment
• Best use is in Disaster Relief
– Floods, Train Wreck, Hurricanes
– Plattsburgh Ice Storm
• Issues and Obstacles
– Weather Conditions
• Altitude
– Transmission Protocols
– Matching up Pictures
Connecticut Wing Evaluation 2001
Housatonic River Photos
Connecticut Wing Evaluation 2001
Connecticut River Photos
Commonly Used Technology in
Civil Air Patrol
• Usual Stuff
• Video Scanning Equipment
• Emergency Location Transmitters
• Applications of Search Theory
Emergency Location Transmitters
Emergency Location Transmitters
– History
– False Positives
– Mirror Images/Tracking Issues
Emergency Location
Transmitters
Emergency Location Transmitters
– History
– False Positives
– Mirror Images/Tracking Issues
Possible Independent Tests for
ELT Hits
• Target moving
• Reported Crash
• Flight Plan
• Reported Overdue
• Distance Math
• Lat/Long.
• Person Hiking
• Heavily Wooded Area
• Not required for
Private Aircraft
• No Family/Friends
• Picking up Reflections
• 15-20 km accuracy
121.5 MHz. vs. 406 MHz.
Transmitters
121.5 MHz ELT
• Currently: 1/3 World
• Analog Signal
• Need Additional Info
• 15-20 km off
– 700 sq km
• .1 Watt
• $200 - $1500
406 MHz ELT
• Global Coverage
• Digital Signal
• 1st alert capable
• 2-5 km off
– 12.5 sq km (GPS)
• 5 watt
• $750 - $3500
Commonly Used Technology in
Civil Air Patrol
• Usual Stuff
• Video Scanning Equipment
• Emergency Location Transmitters
• Applications of Search Theory
Search Theory Applied to SAR
• Terms
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POD (Probability of Detection)
POA (Probability of Area)
POS (Probability of Success)
ROW (Rest of World)
Statistics of Behavior
Lost Person Behavior : Others Lost and Overdue
(walkaways, campers, picnickers, mushroom pickers, other)
Copied, with NASAR's permission, from "Managing The Search Function".
- There are generally more missions for younger (under 8) and older
(over 60) subjects.
- Subjects are generally in good physical condition and 65-70% are
in good mental condition.
- Incidents are generally caused by human error on the part of the
subject.
- In analyzing actual behavior (279 cases), the following patterns have
emerged:
40-50% were adequately equipped.
45-55% were properly clothed, 30% were questionably clothed,
15% were inappropriately clothed.
Most were lost because they became disoriented, were poorly
supervised, intentionally separated from a group.
They had a greater likelihood to wander about or go
cross-country.
50% followed a trail or drainage at some time while missing.
A high percentage were communicative with the searchers.
33% were found within 1/2 mile of the PLS.
69% were found within 2 miles of the PLS.
90% were found within 5 miles of the PLS.
90% were not moving more than 24 hours.
30-50% moved at night.
CASIE
Computer Aided Search Information Exchange
• Simplifies Search Theory Calculations
• Adds other functions
– Resource Optimization
– Influence of Clues
• Simple DOS Shell Program
Conclusions
Technology is a very helpful aspect to
Search and Rescue, but one must
remember that at all times it is a tool
to be used, not a crutch to depend on
Thanks to
1LT Mike Pienkosz, CTWG PAO
CAPT James Blessing, 103rd CC
MAJ Len Schindler, CTWG PAP
http://www.math.arizona.edu/~dsl/casie/casie.htm
http://www.ctwg.cap.gov/
http://www.capnhq.gov/
Technology in
Search and Rescue Efforts
Michael Schenk
1LT. SCCS, CTWG, CAP