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her injuries . So , risk is a major factor in these rescue operations .
Cutting the Cable to Better Connect the Crew
Current rotorcraft crew communications are accomplished via plug-in communications systems . Crew members have a cable that connects their headsets and microphones into the aircraft ’ s intercom system .
When they shift positions , as is routine for winch operators and rescue personnel , they must unplug themselves and replug into a communications jack at their new position .
Just this brief lag in communications can lead to an accident , because there is a brief loss of information to the pilots about what is happening in the back of the aircraft .
One solution to this problem would be to go wireless . A wireless system would allow air crew to move around the aircraft and on the ground to recover and help people without losing vital communications .
( McMurdo SARBE CommLink is an advanced , versatile digital wireless intercom system that brings optimum audio clarity , security and ease of use to single- or multi-group life saving and other hazardous missions . Courtesy of McMurdo Group and YouTube )
Another useful feature would be the selective ability of different groups to discuss action among
Champions Edition themselves . For example , a cover screen of personnel could coordinate protection of a recovery site while a second group could be the SAR team dealing with the survivor .
Each group should be able to separately communicate while also using the helicopter as a hub to “ broadcast ” to all personnel .
Additionally , crew locations could be tracked on a graphic display — either on the pilot ’ s instrument panel or at the flight engineer ’ s station . Ideally , this interface would also pull in and manage crew communications devices such as radio handsets .
Tracking handset GPS coordinates could become quite meaningful when rescue personnel leave the aircraft or when , due to weather conditions , the helicopter temporarily withdraws , leaving personnel on the ground or in the water .
Accelerating the Speed and Locatin Accuracy of Distress Alerts
Every search and rescue operation begins with a distress alert , and the speed and accuracy of these alerts is another crucial factor in situational awareness .
Today , both civilians and military personnel use emergency beacons that operate on the dedicated 406MHz frequency as part of the International Cospas-Sarsat satellite program dedicated to search and rescue . Military beacons are similar to civilian devices , but are built for rugged conditions and designed to route distress alerts to the correct authority . Relying on Low-altitude Earth Orbit ( LEO ) and Geostationary Earth Orbit ( GEO ) SAR satellites , the Cospas-Sarsat system has helped to save over 40,000 lives since 1982 .
Cospas-Sarsat is in the process of significantly upgrading their satellite system with Mediumaltitude Earth Orbit Search and Rescue ( MEO-
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