Using Smartphones to Locate Trapped Victims in Disasters

Area of Science:

• Disaster response technology
• Indoor positioning systems
• Mobile device applications

Background:

• Large numbers of victims are trapped in buildings during disasters, requiring rapid location and rescue.
• Traditional search and rescue methods face challenges in locating victims quickly and safely.
• Smartphones are commonly carried by individuals, presenting an opportunity for rescue applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a system for transforming smartphones into indoor locating tools for disaster victims.
• To enable rescuers to locate trapped individuals using existing smartphone technology without modifications.
• To enhance the speed and safety of search and rescue operations.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the Bluetooth beacon feature of smartphones for signal transmission.
• Implementing low-power Bluetooth signals for extended transmission duration.
• Employing standard notebook computers with Bluetooth to detect and locate signals from multiple victims.
• Developing an autoreply message function for victim location confirmation.

Main Results:

• The system allows smartphones to function as indoor locating tools without extra hardware or software installation.
• Rescuers can locate multiple trapped victims simultaneously using standard notebook computers.
• Victim location accuracy is within a 2-meter error, even when obscured by debris.
• The system significantly reduces the need for rescuers to enter hazardous areas.

Conclusions:

• This smartphone-based system enhances the efficiency and safety of disaster victim location and rescue.
• It increases the likelihood of finding victims within the critical 'golden hours' of rescue.
• The technology offers a low-cost, accessible solution for improving survival rates in disaster scenarios.