Search and Rescue: Drones flying to the Rescue

Drones flying to the Rescue

Search and Rescue

August 6, 2021
11:52 am

Introduction

Search and Rescue efforts have been documented all the way back to 1600s. In 1656 the Dutch merchant ship called the Vergulde Draeck was shipwrecked off the west coast of Australia. The survivors sought help, and in response three separate search and rescue missions were conducted, sadly without success.

Over time these missions have become more advanced like in 1945 on November 29^th , a Sikorsky R-5 performed the first ever civilian helicopter rescue operation in history. The Sikorsky’s chief pilot Dmitry “Jimmy” Viner flew and used an experimental hoist developed by Sikorsky and Breeze to save the 5 crew members who were stuck on an oil barge that had run aground on Penfield Reef off the Long Island Sound by the coast of Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. The crew was saved before the barge sank.

Search and rescue (SAR) is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger. There is the general overarching field of search and rescue but there are also many specialized fields. They are typically determined by the type of terrain where the search is conducted over.

These include:

mountain rescue; ground search and rescue including the use of search and rescue dogs
urban search and rescue in cities
combat search and rescue on the battlefield
air-sea rescue over water

how Drones are helping

While drones are rapidly demonstrating value across industries the application of drones is particularly felt in Search and Rescue operations. The extra range and reach of drones is making a strong presence. Unlike most other applications which are fairly routinised and predictable these search and rescue operations are unpredictable and each operation is unique in execution requiring the pilot’s expertise to assist.

A search and rescue drone is an unmanned aircraft that is used by emergency services. They are used by police officers, fire-fighters and volunteer rescue teams which have become a vital tool enabling for search over vast areas for missing persons, helping stranded individuals and those in need of rescue in any environment.

These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can provide real-time visual information and data to rescue teams helping them deal with the aftermath of natural disasters like in earthquakes, floods, wildfires or hurricanes. The drone acts as eye in the sky. This can be very helpful like for example when searching for lost individuals.

In disasters and incidents every decision is time sensitive so emergency responders need information and real-time imagery in order to make decisions quickly. Further drones offer situational awareness over large areas quickly, reduce time and reduce the number of searchers needed which can help teams to redistribute members during crisis to better handle emergences.

Drones represent a tool that can provide cost effective, real time data and imaging, be it day or night, in challenging conditions and without adding risk to the pilot. Added features like infrared thermal imaging cameras can be used to detect human body heat which aids missing person rescues. This capability greatly increases the ability to find people at night or possibly hidden by debris.

Drones offer air support that can be easily deployed and uses minimal time to set up. By setting up near the location of the incident the drone footage enables for views of the surfaces, flying over any abrupt and inaccessible or dangerous areas. This is greatly helpful for those working on the ground in these missions.

Gene Robinson is an expert in search and recovery operations and is considered one of the pioneers of using drones in search and rescue missions. He has been referred to as the grandfather of drone search and rescue efforts.

A former U.S. Air Force medic Gene Robinson decided in 2004 to change the public perception of drones as war machines. Robinson designed the Spectra, an unmanned flying wing aircraft that can be remotely piloted in extreme weather conditions. Since then Robinson has used his Spectra to travel across the United States and various countries where he has used his drone to set a new pathway for drones. He helped break up a human trafficking ring in Tijuana, Mexico, and took part in the search for Genghis Khan’s tomb.

Robinson runs a nonprofit called the Remote Pilot (RP) Search Services where Robinson has flown nearly a thousand search and rescue missions. He is quick to admit that he saw his first such mission as merely a marketing opportunity for the Spectra, but once he saw how the technology could help people, he never looked back.

History of Search and Rescue in South Africa

In South Africa prior to 1958 there was no organisation responsible for Search and Rescue. If there was an accident at sea a Port Captain would take the necessary action call the people believed to be the most helpful to assist. Similarly, the aviation authorities, the SAAF, SAPS and Telephone Exchanges would assist as necessary.

The shipping and aviation assistance increased to such an extent that there was a need for a dedicated organisation in line with International standards. The then Minister of Transport instructed for the forming of a permanent committee. One that would bring all the Government Departments services and facilities together with the object of co-ordinating the country’s search and rescue efforts.

On 1st of October 1958, the Department of Transport became responsible for the co-ordination of the South African Search and Rescue Services, and as a result the Permanent Committee for Search Rescue was established.

In 1961 the then Minister of Transport widened the scope of the Permanent Committee and changed its title to PECSAR, which stands for Permanent Committee for Search and Rescue. The most significant change in its form of operation was the establishment of two sub-committees, maritime and aeronautical, to attend to detailed matters pertaining to their respective fields. This worked very well and engendered a search and rescue consciousness on a wider field.

The two sub-committees reported to the main committee on their activities. One of the first requirements of the PECSAR Organisation was to prescribe standard procedures and draw up a Manual in October 1961.

In 1979 the PECSAR committee name was changed to the South African Search and Rescue Organization (SASAR) and a revised Manual came into effect in August 1993.

Drones in Search and Rescue in South Africa

In 2020 the Western Cape Government Health’s (WCGH’s) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) became the first government institution in South Africa legally allowed to fly drones in South Africa. This includes the ability to fly over public spaces, roads, people and national key points (with permission from landowner or its representatives) after obtaining a Remote Pilot Aircraft Systems Operators Certificate (ROC) from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). Time is critical in any emergency medical situation and utilising drones when responding to such incidents will minimise the risk of fatalities or the chances of injuries becoming worse.

The purpose of the project is to utilise drones during search and rescue incidents such as drowning incidents, mountain rescues and diving incidents, as well as other major emergency incidents on highways and train incidents. It also includes training, assisting with inspections and during major events where there are lots of patients.

“When responding to mountain calls and sea rescues, we usually utilise helicopters. The drones will assist when adverse weather prevents use of helicopters in certain areas,” says Fabian Higgins, EMS Drone Project Leader.

“As a department which prides itself on innovation in healthcare, we are continually exploring new ways and creating strategies that will improve our service to communities in the Western Cape. The EMS’ Drone Project will revolutionise the manner in which search and rescue incidents are conducted, particularly as we move into a period when the contributions of our men and women in green will be paramount. As many residents and visitors will be hiking, fishing and swimming, undesirable incidents can happen without warning. We urge people to always exercise caution and follow COVID-19 safety measures. Therefore, we look forward to a timeous and cost-effective method of attending to incidents that are out of reach,”

Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, Minister of the Western Cape Department of Health

“We are pleased to introduce the Drone project to the province. The efficiency of EMS services is focused at the judicious and effective use of scares and highly skilled resources. The use of Drone technology in such an environment will advance our capabilities while ensuring that we honour our constitutional promise. This is a welcoming development, particularly as we encourage our citizens to participate in socially distanced and safe outdoor activities.”

Dr. Shaheem de Vries.

Registered drone pilots, employed by the city’s EMS services, will be deployed to mountainous regions to support search and rescue missions. As part of a phased rollout, drones will first be used to monitor Table Mountain. In 2020, several hikers required urgent assistance while struggling to traverse the mountain’s routes. There were sadly prolonged searches resulting in the recovery of two bodies in July and October.

These remotely piloted aircraft systems will assist search and rescue operations on Table Mountain and surrounds. In time the plan is for fire fighters and police will also be expected to benefit from the City’s drone programme.

This drone technology will be used to search remote sections of the mountain while feeding live imagery back to primary response teams and this will speed up the ability for vital rescue operations and reduce the immediate risks faced by EMS personnel in these missions.

“We are the first state-owned licensed operator, and we would like to see this grow to other rescue services and parts of the city as well,” noted EMS director Shaheem de Vries, who added that deploying drones in high-risk situations would allow responders to formalise a safer rescue plan before wading in.

The Cape Town’s drone project will not be limited to just mountain search and rescue operations but also deal with Cape Town’s fire season. The EMS Flight Operations Manager, Fabian Higgins, confirmed that these drones would be used to identify flare-ups through thermal imaging cameras.

Early assessments of heat signatures, particularly in hard-to-reach mountainous areas, will allow Cape Town’s fire fighting services to respond and contain any flames before they are fanned by the region’s gale force winds.

The City’s original plan included incorporating drones into crime-fighting efforts, with officials pointing to the recent violent spate of muggings in and around Table Mountain National Park. Once fully developed, the drones will also be used to assist with sea rescue operations, according to Wilderness Search and Rescue incident commander Roy van Schoor.

Conclusion

Drones have an already extensive resume but with search and rescue they are being utilized not only to improve safety and prevent future disasters but will become instrumental in saving lives.

“Drones allow rescuers a way to find missing people, deliver supplies like food and life vests, and cut search and response times from hours to minutes.”

Brendan Schulman, Vice President for Policy & Legal Affairs, DJI

It is exciting to see how drones are beginning to being utilized in the Western Cape and with drones the sky is the limit.