Cell Phones as rescue equipment?
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Cell Phones as rescue equipment?
I continually read about cell phones being used to initiate rescues, from people in all kinds of emergency situations; everything from people lost in the woods, seriously injured Mountaineers, sinking boats, and most recently to survivors of plane crash who had no idea of their location.
This weekend as I flew over some particularly remote and inhospitable territory (hundreds of miles from any cell site, but with a cell phone in my pack) I started thinking that it might be relatively easy to design a low power cellphone system to install in helicopters, airplanes, search vehicles and even portable units, for use during rescue work, that could receive cell phone signals to allow a common means of communicating with rescuer and victim.
If you were subject to a search being conducted, you could simply dial 911 when you see or hear an aircraft overhead, and immediately establish communication (with an equipped aircraft). I'm sure that if a system like this were to be developed, someone would develop waterproof, shockproof, GPS co-ordinate providing phones developed for the purpose?
As the use of cell-phones muliplies, it is becoming one of the most common and useful means of communications. No unknown radio frequencies (hand-helds etc) or missed visual signal communications. They are light, portable and in common use, this would simply extend their application into the areas where coverage does not exist, specifically for locating missing people. I would think that the savings and benefits from more expediently concluded search and rescue efforts (lives, time and money), could more than pay for the system.
They might even have an application in disaster response as they help eliminate the problems with multiple inter-agency communication.
Or am I way off base here?
This weekend as I flew over some particularly remote and inhospitable territory (hundreds of miles from any cell site, but with a cell phone in my pack) I started thinking that it might be relatively easy to design a low power cellphone system to install in helicopters, airplanes, search vehicles and even portable units, for use during rescue work, that could receive cell phone signals to allow a common means of communicating with rescuer and victim.
If you were subject to a search being conducted, you could simply dial 911 when you see or hear an aircraft overhead, and immediately establish communication (with an equipped aircraft). I'm sure that if a system like this were to be developed, someone would develop waterproof, shockproof, GPS co-ordinate providing phones developed for the purpose?
As the use of cell-phones muliplies, it is becoming one of the most common and useful means of communications. No unknown radio frequencies (hand-helds etc) or missed visual signal communications. They are light, portable and in common use, this would simply extend their application into the areas where coverage does not exist, specifically for locating missing people. I would think that the savings and benefits from more expediently concluded search and rescue efforts (lives, time and money), could more than pay for the system.
They might even have an application in disaster response as they help eliminate the problems with multiple inter-agency communication.
Or am I way off base here?
Guest
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I think a basic system is presently used by at least one of the UK police air support units so that the phone can be heard above the aircraft interior noise. We don't, but have used mobile phones indirectly to locate lost persons by having them talk direct to our unit by phone and info then relayed on police R/T. Obviously this would be insufficient over longer ranges. I would always recommend a 'phone to be taken asa survival aid if out anywhere in the more remote UK areas.
There may be technical problems in getting the ground phone to "log on" if outside normal network coverage.
Anyone know more?
There may be technical problems in getting the ground phone to "log on" if outside normal network coverage.
Anyone know more?
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Sorry, maybe didn't convey this concept too well.
What I had in mind was an aircraft receiver/transmitter that was essentially a mini-cell system installed in the aircraft (interfaced into the existing intercomm).
This would enable communications directly between searcher and survivor, totally independent of any external cell site.
Essentially any equipped aircraft would become an airmobile cellphone site, it would provide all communication capability, limited only by the range of the cell phone. With the altitude of the aircraft, this could cover a quite significant area, and would be continually expanded as the search area progressed.
What I had in mind was an aircraft receiver/transmitter that was essentially a mini-cell system installed in the aircraft (interfaced into the existing intercomm).
This would enable communications directly between searcher and survivor, totally independent of any external cell site.
Essentially any equipped aircraft would become an airmobile cellphone site, it would provide all communication capability, limited only by the range of the cell phone. With the altitude of the aircraft, this could cover a quite significant area, and would be continually expanded as the search area progressed.
Guest
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Sounds like an excellent idea. And you might be as well patenting it (remember, you don't have to build one to patent it, just have the idea). Once you become a Pat. Pending you can tout it round the cellphone base/site manufacturers (whatever they're called).
You could make a bit of dosh and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you've helped save peoples' lives.
You could make a bit of dosh and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you've helped save peoples' lives.
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Cell Phones are a great idea, if you have the service. What your proposing can be done via handheld Transceiver now, if your not in a position to use a Cell. I flew in Alaska and had a couple of emergencies, albeit minor. I was able to use my ATT cell from the top of a mountain to call FSS (Im cheap and use 800 numbers) The other time I actually tried 121.5 and had ZERO luck, had to go to the charts and find an ATC freq, I could jump in on when a high flyer went by (thats above the mountain tops for us Helo drivers) This last couple of years have been in the Caribbean where the game changes. Satellite phones are good, but I understand expensive and some have folded up shop. Over water, I swear by a good Transeiver/Flares, Smoke,Mirror and a 25 man Raft just for me in my Helo.A larger laundry list of food and Beverage. Satellite phone would be nice but again, I dont know much about them. You never have enough toys when your Helo sinks.
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A good idea , especially for private owners and training schools where R22's and 44's and any other small single helicopters are used. My reasoning being that these machines are already pushing limits just 10 ft of the ground (not really but u know what i mean)so weight becomes a huge factor and as you may well know most of these small machines dont have enough space for storage and limited power and therefore rescue and survival equipment becomes a background issue along with full tanks and big pilots. This cellphone transciever/radio would be great for these machines and would definitley aid the 'glow-strips'and band aids already supplied.....
If I can help with anything just give me a call......
The bear..
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Chopper pilots do it vertically :-)
[This message has been edited by yogibear (edited 24 August 2000).]
If I can help with anything just give me a call......
The bear..
------------------
Chopper pilots do it vertically :-)
[This message has been edited by yogibear (edited 24 August 2000).]
