U.S.-Developed Technology From UltraVision Detects Life Through Debris Piles Created by Earthquake-Caused Collapse of Buildings and Structures in China

BEIJING (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) May 13, 2008 -- Members of China’s emergency relief team of medics and soldiers are using the UltraVision LifeLocator™ life detection system to support post-earthquake rescue efforts. The LifeLocator can detect the earthquake victims' shallow breathing through debris piles created as a result of building and other structures’ collapse. Use of the LifeLocator is a critical part of the rescue team’s efforts to find survivors in these life-threatening post-quake hours. The LifeLocator is able to detect very slight movement such as the movement created from shallow breathing, important for victims who may not be able to otherwise move or call out. China life-safety and security distributor Ancom Systems donated LifeLocator to the emergency earthquake rescue team. The team is now searching for survivors of the earthquake in Wenchuan County after being forced to hike in overland due to massive damage to roads in the area. The team arrived nearly 24 hours after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck. LifeLocator will be invaluable in these hours as earlier ability of victims to move or call out may be now diminished. Ancom Systems has distributed approximately 45 additional LifeLocators throughout various locations in China in the past five years and anticipates these will be used in other recovery efforts.

The UltraVision LifeLocator system will detect and locate victim motion and breathing both through man-made materials like steel-reinforced concrete, brick or pavement in either intact structures or debris piles. Victims in distress who are breathing but unable to move or speak, which may eliminate their detection by audio-based systems, can be found with the LifeLocator. In addition, rescue efforts can be continual, requiring no interruptions of other rescue efforts to provide the silence required for audio-based detection systems. The LifeLocator is wireless, eliminating the need to deploy probes, cables or wiring to search for victims and creating maximum ease of mobility over treacherous ground. Detections occur in under 30 seconds. The LifeLocator signals rescue personnel in real-time via a PDA that accurately and rapidly provides target information like location and distance to the victim.

LifeLocator uses ultra wideband (UWB) technology to greatly improve the odds of rescue over recovery in life-threatening situations. Ultra wideband technology is the most advanced technology for locating victims by sensing even minor movement or shallow breathing.

About UltraVision

UltraVision is a company dedicated to developing ultra wideband (UWB) technologies for use in life rescue and safety systems. The company’s LifeLocator™ system is the international standard for maximizing rescue opportunities in countries most often devastated by building or other types of collapses due to explosions or natural disasters. The company further provides UWB security systems for property and life protection. The company’s proven ability to effectively implement UWB technology in security and life-safety products is 30+ years in the making. Future applications include the continued development of rescue, security and life-safety products.

Keyword Tags: China, earthquake, emergency, rescue

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