Emergency response

While you hope you’ll never need the services of a search and rescue team, the truth is that they’re in demand now more than ever. Natural disasters, like wildfires and tropical storms, have become an expected part of life for many across the world in recent years. As the pace of climate change accelerates, the prevalence of these natural disasters — and the importance of search and rescue to save lives — will continue to climb. Climate change isn’t the only reason for the increased need for effective SAR. 

Some key uses and advantages of search and rescue drones include:

• Map out disaster zones: When the mission requires a full understanding of the surrounding terrain, drones can map the area faster and safer than traditional methods. Depending on the camera payload and software, you can create 2D maps, 3D topographic models, or thermal maps. During a disaster, drones are the ultimate tool for situational awareness. This was never more evident than in a recent landslide in Norway where drones were flown for 270 hours over 40 days to create and continuously update a map of the disaster area. 
• Find missing people in the dark: Drones can see what humans can’t. With a thermal camera, like the one equipped on the Zenmuse H20T, you can identify missing people who may not be visible based on their body heat. This capability is invaluable during night missions and avalanche zones. 
• Communicate with people in trouble: Drones can be equipped with a speaker to communicate with stranded people, send out a signal that they can hear, and then let them know they’ve been found and help is on the way. Such a technique has been successfully used by the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service to locate a missing woman. 
• Assess without intrusion: In avalanche zones, one small move or even too much noise can cause a new slide — and put stranded people out of reach. Luckily, the right drone can stay in the air for significant lengths of time and hover at altitudes that don’t emit excess noise or turbulence. Drones also limit the amount of time SAR workers need to be out in an avalanche zone by allowing them to access the site from a distance and only go where they need.