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NEWS

UWB radar detects buried victims' breathing

From "Wireless Rescue System Detects Victim Breathing, Motion," Wireless IQ, 8 May:

"Search and rescue teams have always needed a fast, effective way to detect live victims buried in debris created by avalanches, mudslides and other natural disasters as well as disaster wreckage. LifeLocator uses advanced technology to quickly locate trapped victims who are moving or breathing. Motion can be detected up to 20 feet away and breathing is indicated up to 15 feet away from the sensor.

"Bill Lozon, vice president of sales and marketing for UltraVision Security Systems (UVSS), says, 'The rugged 18" x 18" sensor weighs only 21 pounds [9.5 kg]. This portability aids efficient coverage of the search area. The sensor sends data to a handheld PDA that displays distance to the victim from the sensor and indicates both motion (black square) and breathing (red circle). The LifeLocator PDA can receive data up to 50 feet away from the sensor.'

"Lozon adds, 'This technology isn't just theory - our UWB prototypes have been successfully field tested and approved by the Israeli military.' Commenting on the operation and deployment of the UVSS portable sensor system, Lt. Daniel Neisberg at the R&D Branch of the Israeli Home Front Command says, 'All the people who were present for the training felt very confident working with the system. After completing the training, the system is fully operational in the Israeli HFC.' "

[Wireless: 8 May 2006]