What are drones?
Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are aircraft that do not require a human pilot on board. Drones come in several forms, shapes, and sizes; however, they all have one common feature: they are remotely controlled from the ground or can fly autonomously. Drones can be equipped with cameras, sensors, and other devices to perform various tasks, such as capturing images or videos, delivering goods, or conducting search and rescue operations.Unmanned aerial vehicles have always been considered a product of the military, but over the past several years, they have become increasingly popular in civilian applications as prices have reduced and technologies have improved. The most common application of drones in the civil sector is photography, videography, and surveillance. However, the ability of drones to fly into areas that humans cannot or are not capable of providing a bird’s eye view, has made them indispensable in the world of search and rescue operations.
How Can Drones Enhance Public Safety During Search and Rescue Operations?
Drones can provide a vast array of advantages during search and rescue operations, including:
Cost-effective and efficient
The cost of using drones to conduct search and rescue operations is significantly lower than traditional search methods. For instance, costs related to hiring a helicopter or crew are avoided. Drones can be equipped with high-quality cameras that prove invaluable in search and rescue operations as they offer a bird’s eye view of the surrounding environment. Drones can be used to survey large areas quickly, and streams the footage to personnel who can make real-time rescue decisions.
Safety pre-term before the search
Before a search and rescue operation commences, safety checks should be conducted to ensure that the helicopter, crew, or personnel is safe from harm. Drones can be used to survey the area and gather valuable information that a search team would require. For example, if a search operation was being conducted on a rocky outcrop, a drone could fly over before the search starts and check that there were no steep inclines that would require abseiling gear or high winds or potential dangers.
Locating the missing or injured
Drones can be equipped with infrared cameras to locate the body heat of victims in areas where it is difficult to see. Drones can detect changes in body temperature, which can aid in the search for missing persons. There have been various instances where drones have saved lives through their ability to locate people who might have been missed without their utilization. They can also help pinpoint any stuck or stranded individuals once they have been identified.
Transportation of essential equipment and rescue personnel
Drones can also be used to transport essential equipment to rescuers who are located in areas that are difficult to reach. The drone will transport the equipment to the area and deliver it to the rescuer without the need to endanger additional lives. In the same vein, drones can be used for the same function by delivering medical supplies or very important drugs to injured individuals.
Search in difficult terrains
Search and rescue operations can sometimes be challenging to execute in unfavorable weather or harsh terrain. For example, if you are searching for someone in a dense forest or a deep canyon, using a helicopter may become impractical due to obstacles. By contrast, drones can move in all directions, and with new technological advancements, they have the capability of flying in heavy storms or through harsh wind conditions.
The Role of Drones in Recent Search and Rescue Operations
There are numerous examples of how drones have saved lives during search and rescue operations. Below are a few examples:
Florida, 2019
During hurricane season 2019, a specialist drone team was tasked to create a mapping environment to be used by ground search teams. The team utilized a range of drones to record footage of the hurricane-torn areas, which was eventually translated into map directions for ground personnel. The mapping has since been streamlined, and it now takes less time to create a map of an affected area with a high degree of accuracy.
Northern California, 2018
The Campfire wildfire occurred in Northern California in 2018 and claimed at least 86 lives. The fire was challenging to extinguish, so drones were used to map out the affected areas to summon and direct aid to where it was needed. Because of the stormy and hazardous terrain, drones were the safest and most efficient way to gather intelligence and direct teams.
Victoria, Australia, 2019
The State Emergency Service (SES) in Victoria, Australia, equipped with multiple drones, utilized them to map out flood-prone areas in Victoria. The use of drones helped the team to retrieve satellite imagery to create accurate maps of the emergency zones.
Yellowstone National Park, 2016
In Yellowstone National Park, a drone was used during a search operation to locate a resident who went missing over a day earlier. The drone was fitted with infrared thermal sensors, and it located the lost individual through their body heat, which a naked eye would never have been able to identify. The drone’s accurate reporting enabled ground personnel to go directly to the injured individual and bring them back to safety.
Conclusion
Drones have become an essential tool in search and rescue operations. Drones’ ability to access remote areas and record high-quality footage has become valuable in streamlining rescue procedures during natural disasters or emergencies. The use of drones is cost-effective, fast, and can reduce the need for rescue personnel in dangerous conditions. We live in a world where technology is advancing, and drones are proving to be one of the most effective ways to enhance public safety. Let us, therefore, embrace this technology to improve our rescue procedures, and save lives.See you again in another interesting article.
