Durango, Colorado – A groundbreaking technology known as Lifeseeker is revolutionizing search and rescue efforts by allowing teams to locate missing individuals using their cellphones within minutes. This innovative tool acts as a miniature cellphone tower, enabling rescuers to pinpoint cellphone locations within a 3-mile radius, significantly increasing the efficiency and success rate of search missions in challenging terrains.
Dr. Tim Durkin, a search and rescue program coordinator for Colorado Highland Helicopters, highlighted the effectiveness of Lifeseeker by describing how a simple blotch on a map becomes smaller and more precise as the helicopter hones in on the individual’s location. In a recent test mission in La Plata Canyon, search crews were able to locate two missing individuals in just over two minutes using this technology.
Developed by Spain-based company CENTUM Research & Technology, Lifeseeker is currently undergoing approval by the Federal Communications Commission to be used by state or county search and rescue teams. The radio-based technology requires a clear view of the terrain without interference to pick up cellphone signals and can detect a smartphone up to nearly 20 miles away under favorable conditions.
In addition to locating missing individuals, Lifeseeker also has the capability to send text messages to advise the individual to stay in one area or move to a clearing for rescue. It can also broadcast messages to a group of people within a certain range, similar to an Amber Alert, to warn them of natural disasters like wildfires or floods.
According to Durkin, the Lifeseeker unit can be easily attached inside a helicopter within three minutes when needed for a search and rescue mission. The efficiency and accuracy of this technology have the potential to save valuable time and resources in rescue operations, making it a game-changer for search and rescue teams across the country.
Overall, Lifeseeker represents a significant advancement in search and rescue technology, offering hope to both rescuers and the missing individuals they are seeking to find. With its ability to quickly and accurately pinpoint locations, this innovative tool is enhancing the capabilities of search and rescue operations in challenging terrains, ultimately saving lives and bringing peace of mind to families awaiting news of their loved ones.