Applying wearable sensors to avalanche rescue

We present a novel approach to enhance avalanche companion rescue using wearable sensing technologies. The time to find and extricate victims is most crucial: once buried by an avalanche, survival chances drop dramatically after the first 15 min. Current technology offers only information on the location of a single victim. Statistics show that in many cases there are multiple victims. In our research we address this issue and also investigate how the use of wearable sensors can further enhance such devices. We report on experiments using sensors to measure vital signs and environmental conditions and their suitability for avalanche rescue. Visualization for this type of application is addressed and two design sketches, both visualizing multiple victims and urgency, are presented. The architecture of current devices is extended by component to integrate these additional functions. We have developed a prototypical implementation of an avalanche beacon supporting multiple victims and visualisation of vital signs. This prototype was used for further experiments and offered a basis for participatory evaluation with practitioners in the field. A short overview thereof is presented. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.