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

• Aviation Assets• Ground Assets• Communications• Supplies & Equipment

CAP Missions

• Aerospace Education• Cadet Programs• Emergency Services

o Reconnaissanceo Counter drugo Transportationo DRo 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 Paperworko GPS/Map Programso Communications

o Cell Phoneso Internet for Media Coverageo 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– POD (Probability of Detection)– POA (Probability of Area)– POS (Probability of Success)– ROW (Rest of World)

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.

Statistics of Behavior

CASIEComputer Aided Search Information Exchange

• Simplifies Search Theory Calculations

• Adds other functions– Resource Optimization– Influence of Clues

• Simple DOS Shell Program

ConclusionsTechnology 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 PAOCAPT James Blessing, 103rd CCMAJ Len Schindler, CTWG PAPhttp://www.math.arizona.edu/~dsl/casie/casie.htmhttp://www.ctwg.cap.gov/http://www.capnhq.gov/

Technology in

Search and Rescue Efforts

Michael Schenk1LT. SCCS, CTWG, CAP