VIRTUAL RESCUE WITH DRONES IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

[tech_guy]

A search and rescue drone is to be trialled by a mountain rescue team in Cumbria's Lake District.

 

Video footage it relays will be monitored by internet users looking for injured or lost climbers and walkers.

 

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) leader Mike Blakey said it "taps into all the social media ways that people are using digital technology today".

 

The University of Central Lancashire said it could be quicker, cheaper and safer than other search methods.

 

The drone could cover an area which might take a team on the ground hours to search, said space and aerospace engineering lead Darren Ansell.

 

"Speeding up the rescue operation can be critical particularly when injuries are severe or the weather conditions are poor," he said.

 

On 25 July trial images from the drone will be relayed to anyone logged onto the AeroSee web application who can then click on any area where they spot an injured person.

 

This "crowd sourced" information will be sent to the MRT, who can then send the drone for a closer look.

 

 

BBC Story: BBC News - Drone tested for Lake District search and rescue bids

 

Sign up here: aeroSee

[Dos_Box]

That is a really good idea. One of the lead CLEO guys for Cumbria was in a mountain rescue team, and at this time of year when the 'flip flop' brigade start going up the peaks they often don't actually know where they are when they call for help. This could be a great life saver.

[tech_guy]

...and at this time of year when the 'flip flop' brigade start going up the peaks they often don't actually know where they are when they call for help. This could be a great life saver.

 

Tell me about it - I was in the Lakes for the last two weeks of June this year and the number of idiots I encountered chugging up Helvellyn in totally the wrong gear with no maps, water or common sense was unbelievable. I even encountered some idiots trying to push a baby in a buggy up it.

Edited July 16, 2013 by tech_guy