>> Narrator: DISASTER STRIKES.
HUMAN LIVES IN IMMINENT DANGER. SOPHISTICATED TOOLS CAN MEAN
SALVATION. NOW, "RESCUE EQUIPMENT" ON<i>
MODERN MARVELS.</i> <font color="#FFFF00">[Captioning sponsored by A&E
TELEVISION NETWORKS]</font> >> Narrator:
VICTIMS TRAPPED BY SWIFT WATER. CAUGHT UNAWARE IN A BURNING
BUILDING. BURIED UNDER RUBBLE FROM
EXPLOSIONS OR EARTHQUAKES. EVERY DAY, IN ALL CORNERS OF THE
WORLD, UNFORESEEN DISASTERS OCCUR, FROM OKLAHOMA CITY TO
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. WHEN HIGHLY TRAINED, HIGHLY
TECHNICAL RESCUE RESPONSE IS REQUIRED, THE CALL GOES TO THE
USAR TEAM. >> Charles Butler: THE ACRONYM
"USAR" STANDS FOR URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE, AND BASICALLY IT IS
A TECHNICAL SIDE OF RESCUE WORK, AND WE DEAL WITH THINGS LIKE
STRUCTURE COLLAPSE, AND WE DO TECHNICAL ROPE WORK WHERE WE CAN
GO DOWN AND GET PEOPLE. ALSO, IN THE WILD LAND
ENVIRONMENT, UP IN THE CANYONS, IF A CAR GOES OVER THE SIDE, WE
PERFORM THAT TYPE OF RESCUE. ALSO, VEHICULAR-TYPE INCIDENTS
ON THE FREEWAY. PRETTY BROAD CATEGORY OF THINGS
THAT WE GET INVOLVED IN. >> Narrator: THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
IN LOS ANGELES FORMED THEIR SPECIAL USAR UNITS IN 1985.
THEY ARE TRAINED FOR TECHNICAL HIGH-RISK MISSIONS AND ARE
PROFICIENT IN USING THE MOST UP-TO-DATE RESCUE TECHNOLOGY.
BUT SOME OF THE BASIC TOOLS THEY EMPLOY DATE BACK OVER 50 YEARS.
>> Butler: I KNOW THAT THE DISCIPLINE OF URBAN SEARCH
AND RESCUE HAS PROBABLY BEEN AROUND AT LEAST SINCE THE
SECOND WORLD WAR AND PROBABLY HAD ITS ORIGINS OVER IN EUROPE
WHERE YOU HAD THE CONSTANT BOMBINGS.
THEY HAD TO DEAL WITH COLLAPSED STRUCTURES ON A CONSTANT BASIS.
>> Narrator: DURING THE LONDON BLITZ IN ENGLAND, CIVIL DEFENSE
ENGINEERS DEVISED PLANS FOR STABILIZING BUILDINGS THAT
COLLAPSED UNDER THE BARRAGE OF BOMBINGS.
THE TOOLS THEY EMPLOYED-- PICKS, SHOVELS, CROWBARS, CHAINS,
AND GIN POLES-- WERE USED TO MOVE THE DEBRIS AWAY AND ENABLE
THE RESCUERS TO SEARCH FOR VICTIMS BURIED BENEATH THE
RUBBLE. TODAY, THE USAR TEAMS STILL
IMPLEMENT A SHORING TECHNIQUE FROM WORLD WAR II.
THEY USE PLYWOOD PLANKS AND STRUTS TO SECURE THE COLLAPSED
OR CAVED-IN WALLS OF BUILDINGS OR EARTHEN TRENCHES.
>> Ronald Klamecki: SO THE SHORING IS PUT IN PLACE
PRIMARILY FOR THE RESCUER 'CAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO CREATE ANOTHER
VICTIM AND THEN SECONDARY, OBVIOUSLY, IS TO GET THE VICTIM
OUT OF THE HOLE IN A SAFE MANNER.
>> Narrator: SHORING IS JUST ONE STEP IN ANY COLLAPSED STRUCTURE
PROCEDURE. IF THE VICTIM HAS FALLEN INTO A
SMALL HOLE OR DOWN A NARROW SHAFT, THE RESCUERS HAVE TO FIND
A WAY TO GET TO THEM AND BRING THEM UP TO SAFETY.
THESE ARE CALLED CONFINED SPACE RESCUES.
IN 1949, FOUR-YEAR-OLD KATHY FISCUS FELL INTO AN ABANDONED
OIL WELL IN SAN MARINO, CALIFORNIA, NEAR LOS ANGELES.
TELEVISION CAMERAS BROADCAST THE RESCUE EFFORTS, MARKING THE
FIRST RESCUE ATTEMPT TO APPEAR LIVE ON THE AIRWAVES.
THE NATION WATCHED FOR 27h HOURS AS THE RESCUERS WORKED TO GET
KATHY OUT OF THE TINY, DEEP HOLE.
THE RESCUERS TOILED FOR TWO DAYS AS THE COUNTRY HELD ITS
COLLECTIVE BREATH. BUT WHEN THEY FINALLY GOT DOWN
TO WHERE SHE WAS, IT WAS TOO LATE.
THE RESCUERS JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO EXTRICATE
KATHY FROM THE WELL IN TIME. >> Butler: IT APPEARED IN THE
FOOTAGE THAT I SAW THAT THEY JUST HAD A LARGE CLAMSHELL
EXCAVATOR, AND THEY WERE JUST DIGGING LARGE QUANTITIES OF DIRT
OUT FROM THE AREA WHERE SHE WAS ENTRAPPED IN THE WELL.
THAT'S VERY TIME-CONSUMING. THE VERY WELL THAT KATHY FISCUS
WAS TRAPPED IN, WE CAN GET THAT TYPE OF COMPANY TO ASSIST US BY
DRILLING A HOLE LARGE ENOUGH TO PUT A RESCUER IN RIGHT NEXT TO
THE WELL, AND THEN WE CAN JUST LOWER A RESCUER DOWN INTO THAT
HOLE, AND THEN THEY CAN BREACH THROUGH TO WHERE THE VICTIM IS
AND BRING THEM OUT. >> Narrator: RESCUERS NOW HAVE A
NEW DEVICE CALLED THE SEARCH CAM THAT ASSISTS THEM IN LOCATING
VICTIMS TRAPPED IN CONFINED SPACES.
THE VIDEO CAMERA IS MOUNTED ON A LONG PROBE.
IT CAN BE INSERTED INTO A HOLE AND ROTATED TO GET THE MAXIMUM
VISIBILITY. THERE IS A MICROPHONE BUILT
INTO THE CAMERA AND A SPEAKER, SO IF THERE IS A VICTIM THAT IS
COVERED BY DEBRIS IN A HOLE, HE OR SHE CAN RESPOND
TO THE RESCUER'S CALLS. THE SEARCH CAM IS A HIGH-TECH
TOOL THAT ENABLES RESCUERS TO GET IN PLACES THAT WERE
PREVIOUSLY INACCESSIBLE. THE SEARCH CAM WAS FIRST USED IN
1993 TO ASSIST THE NEW YORK CITY FIREFIGHTERS IN THE AFTERMATH OF
THE WORLD TRADE CENTER BOMBING. IT'S BEEN USED TO UNCOVER
VICTIMS IN THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING AND THE BOMBING OF THE
EMBASSIES IN AFRICA. >> Butler: PRIOR TO HAVING THOSE
DEVICES, WE JUST HAD TO GO INTO EVERY COLLAPSED BUILDING AND DIG
THROUGH THE RUBBLE TO CHECK FOR PEOPLE.
AND NOW WE CAN SEARCH THESE BUILDINGS WITH A LITTLE LESS OF
AN ALL-OUT ASSAULT ON THE BUILDING.
WE CAN CHECK THE BUILDING, SEE IF THERE ARE ANY SURVIVORS AND
THEN IF THERE AREN'T, WE CAN MOVE ON TO WHERE WE CAN USE OUR
RESOURCES IN A MORE PRUDENT MANNER.
>> Narrator: IN CASE OF FIRES, THE RESCUE UNITS EMPLOY A NEW
DEVICE CALLED THE THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA WHICH
DIFFERENTIATES SHAPES IN A SMOKE-FILLED ROOM.
UP UNTIL NOW, THE FIREFIGHTERS HAVE SIMPLY HAD TO CRAWL
THROUGH THE STRUCTURE AND FEEL FOR ANY VICTIMS.
(<i> sirens wailing</i> ) THE USAR TEAMS ARE ALSO CALLED
IN TO CONDUCT SWIFT-WATER RESCUES.
THE RESCUE UNITS HOLD WATER SAFETY SEMINARS TO EDUCATE THE
PUBLIC, BUT THEY STILL HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR ANY
CIRCUMSTANCE. >> Klamecki: WE TRY TO INITIALLY
START OFF WITH PUBLIC AWARENESS, WHICH WOULD BASICALLY ELIMINATE
OUR JOB. BUT IF IT DOESN'T WORK, OUR NEXT
STEP IS WHAT THEY CALL LAND BASE.
WE TRY TO RESCUE THE PERSON FROM LAND-- THROW 'EM A ROPE, THROW
'EM A BUOY, WHATEVER. IF THAT FAILS, IF THE PERSON HAS
BEEN IN THE WATER TOO LONG AND THEY'RE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO
HANDLE THE ROPE, WE CAN DO A CONTACT RESCUE.
>> Narrator: A CONTACT RESCUE ENTAILS LOWERING A RESCUER ON A
ROPE TO WHERE THE VICTIM IS. ONCE CONTACT HAS BEEN MADE, THE
RESCUER HOOKS HIMSELF TO THE VICTIM, AND THE TWO ARE HOISTED
BACK TO SAFE GROUND. THIS IS A METHOD THAT DATES BACK
TO THE SECOND WORLD WAR. THERE IS EVEN A SPECIAL LIFTING
DEVICE FOR LARGE ANIMALS. >> Klamecki: THE ANIMAL CONTROL
PEOPLE HAVE DEVELOPED A HARNESS SPECIFICALLY FOR HORSES.
IT'S MADE OUT OF STEEL WITH NYLON WEBBING, AND WE CAN ATTACH
IT TO A HORSE, AND WE'VE SEEN IT IN THE FLOOD CONTROL CHANNELS
WHERE THEY GET CAUGHT IN MUD AND ROCK, AND WE'LL ATTACH THIS
HARNESS TO THEM. IN THAT CASE, OUT IN THE OPEN,
WE'LL USE A HELICOPTER HOIST. COME IN, HOVER OVER THE HORSE,
CLIP HIM TO THE HARNESS AND THEN LIFT THE HORSE RIGHT OUT.
>> Narrator: ONCE THE VICTIMS ARE SAFE, THE NEXT PHASE OF THE
RESCUE TAKES PLACE-- ON-SCENE MEDICAL CARE.
ALAN COWEN IS THE RETIRED CHIEF OF PARAMEDICS FOR THE L.A. FIRE
DEPARTMENT. HE WAS ON THE FORCE FOR 32
YEARS. >> Cowen: THE TOOLS OF THE TRADE
WHEN I BEGAN MY CAREER IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE-- AND I
HESITATE TO CALL IT THAT 'CAUSE REALLY, BACK IN THOSE DAYS IT
WAS A VAN WITH A GURNEY AND A STRETCHER, A TANK OF OXYGEN,
A FIRST-AID KIT, SOME RUBBER SPLINTS, THAT WAS IT.
IN FACT, MANY AMBULANCE COMPANIES WORKED OUT OF
MORTUARIES, TO SHOW YOU THE MENTALITY.
>> Narrator: ALAN LEARNED RESCUE MEDICINE BY BEING ON THE JOB
WITH SEASONED PROFESSIONALS. >> Cowen: THEY DIDN'T DO THINGS
AS WELL AS TODAY. THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO PUT
CERVICAL COLLARS ON AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO PUT
BACKBOARDS AND BINDERS ON PATIENTS AND GETTING THEM
PACKAGED, READY FOR TRANSPORTATION, BUT THEY SURE
KNEW A LOT MORE ABOUT BANDAGING THAN MOST PEOPLE DO TODAY.
>> Narrator: ALAN REMEMBERS HIS FIRST RESCUE ATTEMPT: TRYING TO
SAVE A YOUNG GIRL WHO HAD BEEN HIT BY A CAR.
>> Cowen: AND I REMEMBER I HAD READ ABOUT PUTTING YOUR MOUTH
OVER SOMEBODY'S MOUTH AND BLOWING THE BREATH OF LIFE.
I HAD READ ABOUT IT IN A BOOK. IT WASN'T BEING DONE IN 1963 TO
ANY GREAT EXTENT SO I PUT MY MOUTH ON HERS, I LIFTED THE BACK
OF HER HEAD UP, AND I BLEW THE AIR IN, AND I REMEMBER IN THE
BACK OF THE AMBULANCE AS I COULD HEAR THE SIREN GOING, SHE LOOKED
UP AT ME AND I REMEMBER HER EYES.
I STILL REMEMBER IT TODAY. >> Narrator: WITH ANY ON-SITE
RESPONSE TEAM, TIME IS ALWAYS OF THE ESSENCE.
STABILIZING THE VICTIM AND GETTING THEM TO A HOSPITAL IS
THE FIRST PRIORITY. >> Cowen: THE ONLY DIFFERENCE
TODAY IS IT'S VERY ORGANIZED. WE DO THE SAME THINGS.
WE TRIAGE, WE TREAT AND WE TRANSPORT.
TRIAGE IS TO SORT OUT THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE CRITICALLY
HURT FROM THOSE THAT ARE NOT. WE TREAT, WE TRY TO STABILIZE
THE PATIENT, AND THEN WE TRANSPORT.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID 30, 40 AND 50 YEARS AGO.
>> Narrator: FOR PARAMEDICS, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TECHNOLOGICAL
ADVANCE IN THE LAST TEN YEARS IS THE PORTABLE DEFIBRILLATOR FOR
HEART ATTACK PATIENTS. IN THIS VIDEO, YOU CAN SEE A MAN
HAVING A HEART ATTACK IN A CASINO.
BUT BECAUSE THE CASINO SECURITY PERSONNEL HAD A PORTABLE
DEFIBRILLATOR, THEY WERE ABLE TO SAVE THE MAN'S LIFE.
>> Cowen: IT READS OUT YOUR EKG. IT TELLS YOU WHEN TO SHOCK.
IT TALKS TO YOU. IT SAYS, "GET YOUR HANDS OFF.
SHOCK NOW. SHOCK ADVISED."
BUT I THINK THERE'LL COME A TIME WHERE WE'LL HAVE A MOBILE
OPERATING ROOM THAT GOES OUT TO THE PATIENT RATHER THAN BRING
THE PATIENT TO THE HOSPITAL. THERE ARE EXCITING TIMES COMING
IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE. HOPE I GET TO SEE 'EM.
>> Narrator: NEXT: HIGH-TECH RESCUES AT SEA WITH THE COAST
GUARD SEARCH AND RESCUE UNIT. "RESCUE EQUIPMENT" WILL RETURN
ON<i> MODERN MARVELS.</i> >> Narrator: WE NOW RETURN TO
"RESCUE EQUIPMENT" ON<i> MODERN</i> <i>MARVELS.</i>
FOR OVER 200 YEARS, THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD HAS BEEN
PROVIDING RESCUE SERVICES TO MARINERS IN DISTRESS.
>> Captain Gabe Kinney: WELL, THE COAST GUARD HAS AN OVERALL
STRENGTH OF ABOUT 36 TO 37,000 PEOPLE, AND ACTUALLY, EVERYONE
IN THE COAST GUARD, IN SOME WAY OR ANOTHER, SUPPORTS THE SEARCH
AND RESCUE MISSION. EVERY YEAR, THE COAST GUARD
SAVES APPROXIMATELY 5,000 LIVES. WE RESPOND TO ABOUT 65,000
SEARCH-AND-RESCUE CALLS. IN ADDITION, WE ALSO, UH,
FACILITATE, THROUGH OUR VARIOUS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, RESPONSES
BY OTHER COUNTRIES, UH, EITHER IN THE PACIFIC OR-OR THE
CARIBBEAN AND SO FORTH. >> Narrator: THIS MIGHTY
SEAFARING FORCE HAS BEEN EVOLVING SINCE 1790, WHEN
ALEXANDER HAMILTON ESTABLISHED THE REVENUE CUTTER SERVICE,
WHICH WAS BASICALLY A TAX- COLLECTION AGENCY FOR GOODS
LANDING IN THE UNITED STATES ON SHIPS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
>> Robert Browning: SO, THEY HAD TO HAVE A ARMED PRESENCE OR A
GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT ENFORCED THOSE TAXES, AND SO THEY
ESTABLISHED TEN CUTTERS INITIALLY, TO PATROL THE
DIFFERENT, UH, MAJOR COAST OF THE UNITED STATES.
>> Narrator: FOREIGN IMMIGRATION AND TRADE GREW ALONG WITH THE
NATION, AND THEREFORE, SO DID THE NUMBER OF SHIPWRECKS THAT
OCCURRED ON AMERICAN SHORES. IN 1848, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
BEGAN ORGANIZING OFFICIAL RESCUE SHEDS ALONG THE EASTERN
SEABOARD. THESE SHEDS WERE EQUIPPED WITH
THE RESCUE EQUIPMENT OF THE DAY-- A FEW BOATS AND AN
APPARATUS TO SEND A LINE OUT TO THE VESSEL IN DISTRESS.
THE EQUIPMENT WAS CRUDE AND NOT ALWAYS SAFE, AND THE BIGGEST
PROBLEM WAS FINDING TRAINED INDIVIDUALS WHO COULD OVERSEE
THE RESCUE. SUMNER INCREASE KIMBALL
ADDRESSED THAT PROBLEM IN 1871. KIMBALL WAS THE HEAD OF THE
REVENUE CUTTER SERVICE AT THE TIME AND HE BEGAN MANNING THE
SHEDS, SOMETIMES WITH A TEAM OF RESCUERS AND SOMETIMES WITH JUST
ONE STATION KEEPER, TO MAINTAIN THE EQUIPMENT AND ORGANIZE THE
RESCUE TEAMS WHEN NEEDED. BY 1878, KIMBALL ESTABLISHED A
SEPARATE BUREAU WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT, APPROPRIATELY CALLED
"THE UNITED STATES LIFESAVING SERVICE."
>> Browning: I CAN'T IMAGINE MODERN PEOPLE DOING SOME OF THE
THINGS THAT-THAT THESE PEOPLE DID.
I THINK THEY WERE... THEY WERE, UH, UH, IN A LOT OF CASES, JUST
FEARLESS IN... IN GOING OUT IN THESE SMALL BOATS IN-IN STORMS
THAT HAD WRECKED MUCH LARGER SHIPS, AND TRYING TO SAVE
SOMEBODY ELSE, AND IT WAS ALL FOR VERY LITTLE PAY AND THEY HAD
NO BENEFITS. >> Narrator: DURING THE EARLY
YEARS OF THE LIFESAVING SERVICE, A MAN NAMED JOHN LYLE CAME UP
WITH A BETTER DEVICE FOR SENDING A LINE OUT TO THE BOATS.
THE LYLE GUN FIRED A PROJECTILE THAT TOOK A LINE OUT TO THE
SINKING VESSEL. THE LINE COULD REACH OUT 600
YARDS. >> Browning: ACTUALLY, THE-THE
GUN THAT LYLE INVENTED, UH, THEY WERE STILL MAKING RESCUES, UH,
BASICALLY 60 YEARS LATER, WITH THIS GUN.
UH, IT WAS STILL THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO GET A LINE OUT
TO A VESSEL. >> Narrator: THE RESCUE
PERSONNEL FROM THE LIFESAVING SERVICE WOULD PATROL THE BEACH,
LOOKING FOR FLARES FROM SHIPS IN DISTRESS.
>> Browning: WHEN THEY SPOT A WRECK-- OF COURSE THEY HAVE TO
RUN BACK TO THE STATION, WHICH AGAIN IS A MILE OR TWO BACK,
POTENTIALLY. THEY HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION
THEN WHETHER TO USE THE LYLE GUN TO TRY TO MAKE THE RESCUE
FROM SHORE, OR TO USE SOME KIND OF A BOAT.
SO, THE EAST COAST STATIONS HAD WHAT WAS CALLED A SURF BOAT, AND
THAT WOULD BE TAKEN TO THE WRECK ON A WAGON, AND EITHER THE MEN
PULLED IT BY THEMSELVES, BY LINES, OR THEY HAD HORSES THAT-
THAT TOOK IT TO THE BEACH AND TO THE SITE OF THE WRECK.
>> Narrator: THE RESCUERS WOULD PHYSICALLY GO TO THE FAILING
VESSEL OR THEY WOULD SEND UP A LINE AND ATTACH EITHER A LIFE
CAR, WHICH WAS HEAVY BUT COULD CARRY SEVERAL PEOPLE AT ONCE, OR
A LIGHTER BREECHES BUOY, TO BRING THE VICTIMS ASHORE.
>> Browning: AND THEY HAVE THE BREECHES BUOY, WHICH IS THE WAY
THAT THE PEOPLE GOT FROM THE SHIP TO THE SHORE, WHICH IS...
BASICALLY LOOKS LIKE A LIFE PRESERVER WITH CUTOFF PANTS IN
IT, WHERE YOU ACTUALLY SIT INTO THIS... INTO THIS DEVICE AND ARE
CARRIED FROM THE SHIP TO THE SHORE.
>> Narrator: IN 1915, SUMNER KIMBALL MERGED THE LIFESAVING
SERVICE WITH THE REVENUE CUTTER SERVICE, AND FORMED THE UNITED
STATES COAST GUARD. IT SEEMED A NATURAL COMBINATION,
SINCE BOTH WERE PATROLLING THE COASTLINE AND KIMBALL WANTED TO
GET BENEFITS FOR THE HARDWORKING MEN IN HIS BUREAU.
>> Browning: 'CAUSE THEY WERE LITERALLY SERVING UNTIL THEY
WERE ALMOST DEAD. THE COAST GUARD'S MOST FAMOUS
LIFESAVER, JOSHUA JAMES, SERVED INTO HIS LATE 60s AND HE
LITERALLY, AT A BEACH DRILL, JUST DROPPED OVER DEAD ON THE
BEACH. >> Narrator: IN THE LAST 75
YEARS, THE COAST GUARD HAS ALSO BEEN IN THE LEAD IN DEVELOPING
MORE SOPHISTICATED COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS FOR SENDING AND
RECEIVING DISTRESS SIGNALS. THE SINKING OF THE<i> TITANIC</i>
PROVIDED THE IMPETUS FOR DEVELOPING A BETTER MEANS OF
SIGNALING AT SEA. BESIDES MORSE CODE, THE CREW HAD
NO MEANS TO COMMUNICATE WITH VESSELS FAR BEYOND THE LINE OF
SIGHT. BECAUSE OF THE<i> TITANIC</i> DISASTER,
THE COAST GUARD IMPLEMENTED THE INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL THAT
STILL TRACKS ICEBERGS AS THEY FLOW FROM THE NORTH ATLANTIC
INTO THE SHIPPING LANES. AFTER THE 1915 MERGER WITH THE
REVENUE CUTTER SERVICE, THE RESCUE TECHNOLOGIES OF THE COAST
GUARD BEGAN TO IMPROVE SIGNIFICANTLY.
DURING WORLD WAR II, THE COAST GUARD WAS GIVEN THE TASK OF
DEVELOPING THE HELICOPTER AS A RECONNAISSANCE TOOL FOR THE
MILITARY. >> Browning: THEY WERE LOOKING
AT IT TO SPOT SUBMARINES, BUT THERE WERE A LOT OF COAST GUARD
OFFICERS, AND ONE IN PARTICULAR, FRANK ERICSON, WHO SAW THE
RESCUE POTENTIALS OF THE HELICOPTER, AND HE HAD PUSHED
THIS ALL ALONG, AND THE HELICOPTER IN MANY WAYS IS THE
NEXT GREAT CHANGE FOR THE LIFE... FOR THE LIFESAVING
SERVICE, OR THE... OR THE LIFESAVING CAPABILITIES OF THE
COAST GUARD. >> Narrator: THE HELICOPTER
PROVED TO BE A VITAL TOOL. IN MARCH OF 1990, COAST GUARD
RESCUED SIX CREW MEMBERS OF THE <i>ALASKAN MONARCH</i> FROM THE ICY
BERING SEA. THE COAST GUARD'S BOAT COULDN'T
GET THROUGH THE ICE, BUT AFTER THE MAYDAY WAS TRANSMITTED, THE
HELICOPTER ARRIVED ON THE SCENE WITHIN MINUTES.
>> Kinney: CERTAINLY THE TECHNOLOGY OF AIRCRAFT HAS
IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE THE '50s, AND OUR AIRCRAFT OF TODAY,
OUR-OUR JAY HAWK HELICOPTERS AND OUR DAUPHINE H65 HELICOPTERS
ARE REALLY WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER STATE-OF-THE-ART WHEN
IT COMES TO A SEARCH-AND-RESCUE TOOL.
>> Narrator: THROUGHOUT ITS 200- YEAR HISTORY, THE COAST GUARD
HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING BOATS AND CUTTERS THAT PERFORM
SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY IN HIGH WINDS AND ROUGH SEA CONDITIONS.
THE FIRST SELF-RIGHTING, SELF- BAILING VESSEL DATES BACK TO
19th CENTURY ENGLAND. THE MOST RECENT VERSION OF THE
MOTOR LIFEBOAT IS 47 FEET AND CAN RIGHT ITSELF IN FIVE SECONDS
IN HEAVY SEAS. IT IS ENGINEERED WITH SPECIAL
BALLAST AND AN IRON KEEL THAT WORK WITH THE FORCE OF GRAVITY
TO TURN THE BOAT RIGHT-SIDE UP. AN ONBOARD ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY
PUMPS ANY EXCESS WATER OUT OF THE BOAT.
>> Kinney: THE 47-FOOT MOTOR LIFEBOAT IS THE NEWEST ADDITION
TO THE COAST GUARD'S SMALL-BOAT FLEET.
IT IS ON THE LEADING EDGE OF SEARCH-AND-RESCUE TECHNOLOGY.
IT GIVES US THE CAPABILITY TO GO OUT IN VERY BAD SEAS, AND BRING
BOTH THE-THE FOLKS IN DISTRESS AND OUR OWN CREW BACK, UH, IN A
SAFE MANNER. IT-IT'S LARGE ENOUGH THAT IT CAN
HANDLE VERY SEVERE CONDITIONS, BUT IT ALSO HAS THE-THE STRENGTH
AND THE TECHNOLOGY TO REALLY DO A VERY GOOD JOB OF GETTING
THROUGH VERY DIFFICULT CONDITIONS IN DOING A RESCUE
MISSION. >> Narrator: IN THE COAST GUARD
SEARCH-AND-RESCUE UNIT, COMMUNICATION IS THE NAME OF THE
GAME. THE FASTER THEY MAKE CONTACT
WITH THE VESSEL IN DISTRESS, THE QUICKER THEY CAN PINPOINT THEIR
LOCATION. >> Kinney: COAST GUARD HAS A
VERY EXTENSIVE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, BOTH, UH, MEDIUM
FREQUENCY, HIGH FREQUENCY, AND ALSO VHF-FM RADIOS, UH, WHICH IS
THE-THE MOST COMMON MEANS THAT ARE USED FOR MARINERS TO
COMMUNICATE WITH THE COAST GUARD.
IF WE HAVE A GOOD LOCATION ON AN INDIVIDUAL, IF WE KNOW WHERE
THEY ARE, THROUGH RADIO OR WHATEVER COMMUNICATIONS MEANS
THAT WE HAVE, THEN IT ESSENTIALLY ELIMINATES THE
SEARCH FROM SEARCH-AND-RESCUE. >> Narrator: THE COAST GUARD IS
DEVELOPING NEW TECHNOLOGIES THAT WILL ENHANCE THE WORLD OF
SEARCH-AND-RESCUE IN THE FUTURE. >> Lt. Commander Paul Steward:
WE HAVE A VISION 2020, WHICH WE'RE LOOKING INTO THE EARLY
21st CENTURY FOR DEVELOPMENT, AND I MEAN, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT
SOME THINGS THAT RIGHT NOW DON'T LOOK REALISTIC.
UH, VACUUM CLEANERS FROM AIRCRAFT TO PICK PEOPLE UP?
THAT SOUNDS RIDICULOUS, BUT OBVIOUSLY IN THE 1800s, A PIECE
OF METAL WITH A ROTARY WING ON TOP, FLAPPING IN THE SKY,
PICKING PEOPLE UP OUT OF THE WATER, SEEMED RIDICULOUS, TOO.
>> Narrator: COMING UP: THEY CAN PULL A CRUMPLED CAR APART
IN MINUTES: THE POWERFUL JAWS OF LIFE.
"RESCUE EQUIPMENT" WILL RETURN ON<i> MODERN MARVELS.</i>
>> Narrator: WE NOW RETURN TO "RESCUE EQUIPMENT"
ON<i> MODERN MARVELS.</i> >> WE SEE IT ALL TOO OFTEN.
CRUMPLED, MANGLED METAL-- A VEHICLE BEYOND RECOGNITION.
FOR RESCUE WORKERS, THE MAIN GOAL IS THE EXTRACT THE DRIVER
AND ANY PASSENGERS FROM THE CRUSHED REMAINS OF THE
AUTOMOBILE, AND GET THEM MEDICAL CARE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THEY CALL IT HEAVY ENTRAPMENT. >> Robert Linster: THE FIRST
THING THAT A RESCUER IS TAUGHT WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE ACCIDENT
SCENE IS TRY THE DOOR HANDLE, BECAUSE IT JUST MIGHT OPEN
AND IF IT DOES, YOU'RE OFF TO A GOOD START.
AND BASICALLY, IF YOU NEED TO BEND METAL, MOVE METAL, THAT'S
HEAVY ENTRAPMENT. >> Narrator: UP UNTIL THE LATE
'60s, RESCUERS HAD A DIFFICULT TIME EXTRICATING VICTIMS FROM A
VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN CRUSHED IN AN ACCIDENT.
>> Linster: THEY WOULD USE A PORTA POWER, WHICH IS A MANUALLY
PUMPED SMALL TOOL THAT IS USED IN THE SHEET METAL BUSINESS.
THEY ALSO USED A PRODUCT CALLED A PRY BAR.
THEY WOULD USE BRUTE FORCE. THEY WOULD USE HACKSAWS.
>> Narrator: OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS, A POWERFUL TOOL HAS
EVOLVED THAT CAN OPEN UP AN AUTOMOBILE IN MERE MINUTES.
BECAUSE OF ITS INCREDIBLE STRENGTH, THEY CALL IT THE JAWS
OF LIFE. AND WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS
TOOL CAME A NEW WAY OF LOOKING AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE.
>> Larry Anderson: HEAVY ENTRAPMENT IS BASICALLY WHEN
THE METAL IS FOLDED UP AROUND THE PERSON AND YOU HAVE TO
REDIRECT IT TO GET IT AWAY FROM THEM.
WE DON'T TAKE THE PERSON OUT OF THE VEHICLE, WE TAKE THE VEHICLE
FROM AROUND THE PERSON. MY PHILOSOPHY IS THE GO-CART
PHILOSOPHY. IF I CAN MAKE THAT CAR LOOK LIKE
A GO-CART, THERE'S NOTHING AROUND THAT PERSON TO HAMPER
REMOVAL AND PACKAGING AND STABILIZING.
THE LESS I HAVE TO MANIPULATE THAT PERSON TO PACKAGE HIM, THE
LESS CHANCE OF CAUSING MORE AGGRAVATION TO AN INJURY.
>> Narrator: THE REVOLUTIONARY TOOL THAT COULD CUT AND SPREAD
METAL QUICKLY WAS FIRST DEVELOPED BY GEORGE HURST IN THE
1960s. ITS FIRST APPLICATION WAS IN
THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL CAR RACING.
>> Linster: THE TOOL WAS ORIGINALLY CALLED THE HURST
POWER RESCUE TOOL. GEORGE HURST, WHO IS THE
INVENTOR, WAS THE OWNER OF A COMPANY THAT MADE RACING
EQUIPMENT, ENGINE CONVERSION KITS AND THAT SORT OF THING FOR
AFTER-MARKET RACING, AND ALSO FOR INDY CARS, UM...
DAYTONA-TYPE RACING, CIRCLE TRACK CARS.
AND GEORGE HAD THIS VISION OF FREEING TRAPPED DRIVERS THAT
WOULD GET ENTANGLED IN THE ROLL CAGE OF AN AUTOMOBILE AND GIVE
THEM A BETTER CHANCE OF SURVIVAL.
SO HE DECIDED TO TAKE HIS INGENUITY THAT HE USED IN OTHER
THINGS AND APPLY THEM TO RACING. >> Announcer: IN TURN TWO WE
HAVE A REPORT OF A PROBLEM... >> Announcer 2: ...THE JAWS OF
LIFE, THAT'S WHAT THAT SIGNAL INDICATES.
THEY'RE GOING TO WANT THOSE JAWS TO TRY AND PRY THE CAR OUT.
>> Narrator: BY THE LATE 1960s, HURST'S INVENTION BECAME AN
INDISPENSABLE PART OF TRACK SAFETY.
AND IN THE EARLY 1970s, HE DECIDED TO BRING THE TECHNOLOGY
OFF THE RACETRACK AND ONTO THE STREETS.
HE WENT ABOUT MAKING A SMALLER, PORTABLE VERSION THAT COULD BE
USED IN EVERYDAY TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
IT WAS AT THIS TIME THAT THE TOOL GOT THE NAME THAT IS ITS
TRADEMARK TODAY. >> Linster: IT WAS CALLED A
HURST POWER RESCUE TOOL, AND DURING ONE OF THE DEMONSTRATIONS
SOMEONE HAD SAID, "WOW, THIS TOOL SAVES PEOPLE FROM THE JAWS
OF DEATH." AND SUBSEQUENTLY WE STARTED
CALLING IT THE JAWS OF LIFE, AND THAT NAME STUCK, AND IT STICKS
TO THIS DAY. >> Narrator: THE RELEASE OF THE
JAWS OF LIFE FOR PUBLIC USE CAME AS A WELCOME AND MUCH-NEEDED
ADDITION FOR RESCUE TEAMS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
>> Alan Cowen: BACK IN THE '60s WHEN I BEGAN, THERE WERE NO JAWS
OF LIFE. THERE WERE... WE USED LARGE
CROWBARS TO EXTRICATE PEOPLE FROM VEHICLES.
AND MANY OF THEM DIDN'T GET EXTRICATED.
THEY WERE IN THERE, AND THEY DIED IN THERE.
WITH THE ADVENT OF THE JAWS OF LIFE, YOU CAN PEEL A CAR APART
IN MATTER OF A FEW MINUTES. IT CAN JUST POP THE TOPS OFF
VEHICLES AND JUST SPLIT A CAR OPEN, REMOVE DOORS... AND RIGHT
THROUGH STEEL. >> Narrator: AT ITS WIDEST, THE
ARMS OF THE JAWS OF LIFE CAN SPREAD UP TO 40 INCHES.
THE PRESSURE GENERATED BETWEEN THE ARMS CAN PRODUCE 35,000
POUNDS OF FORCE. THIS FORCE IS PRODUCED BY A
GASOLINE ENGINE WITH A RECIPROCATING PUMP.
>> Linster: WE DEVELOPED A PUMP THAT HAD TWO STAGES--
ONE HIGH FLOW, LOW PRESSURE, WHICH WOULD RUN FROM ZERO
TO 600 P.S.I. LINE PRESSURE. AND THEN ONCE IT MET RESISTANCE,
IT WOULD SHIFT INTO A LOW FLOW, HIGH PRESSURE THAT WOULD GO FROM
600 P.S.I. UP TO 5,000 P.S.I. AT A HALF GALLON A MINUTE.
>> Narrator: THE TOOL CAPTURED THE IMAGINATION OF RESCUE
WORKERS AROUND THE COUNTRY, BUT THE COST, FROM $6,000 TO $12,000
WAS SOMETIMES PROHIBITIVE. >> Linster: OFTENTIMES THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT, RESCUE SQUAD, WHATEVER AGENCY IT MIGHT BE
THAT'S INTERESTED IN PURCHASING THIS PRODUCT, DIDN'T HAVE THE
MONEY. SO THEY WOULD DO WHAT THEY
NORMALLY DO, AND THAT'S GO INTO FUND-RAISING.
THAT CAN VARY FROM ANYWHERE FROM STANDING ON A STREET CORNER
WITH BOOTS OR HELMETS EXPECTING PEOPLE TO... TO DEPOSIT SOME
COINS OR SOMETHING AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, DOWN THROUGH PANCAKE
DINNERS, HAMS SUPPERS, SPAGHETTI DINNERS, WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE TO
TARGET REACHING A GOAL. >> Narrator: OVER THE LAST 27
YEARS, HURST HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO REFINING THE JAWS OF LIFE TO
FIT MORE OF THE NEEDS OF THE RESCUE COMMUNITY.
AT THEIR MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN SHELBY, NORTH CAROLINA, THEY
RESEARCH AND DEVELOP NEW PRODUCTS EVERY YEAR, AND TEST
NEW TECHNIQUES FOR QUICKER, SAFER EXTRICATION.
>> Anderson: THE TOOL WE USE TO REMOVE THE WINDSHIELD TODAY IS
CALLED THE SLICE OF LIFE. IT GIVES US BETTER CONTROL OF
GLASS FRAGGING THROUGH THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
YEARS AGO WE USED TO USE AN AXE. >> Linster: WE'VE COME OUT WITH
A PRODUCT WE CALL THE WARTHOG THAT ALLOWS US TO STABILIZE THE
CAR SO IT STAYS PUT. WE HAVE LIFTING PNEUMATIC BAGS
THAT CAN LIFT THINGS OFF OF PEOPLE OR MOVE THINGS OUT OF THE
WAY THAT NEED TO BE MOVED. WE RECENTLY INTRODUCED THE
PYROTECHNIC CUTTER WHICH USES A CARTRIDGE AND IS TOTALLY
PORTABLE. >> Narrator: EVERY YEAR RESCUE
TEAMS SAVE THOUSANDS OF LIVES, ARMED WITH THE POWER OF THE JAWS
OF LIFE. >> Anderson: MOST FIREFIGHTERS,
RESCUE PEOPLE, SOMETIME IN THEIR LIFE, HAS BEEN TOUCHED BY A
FIRE, OR THEIR HOUSE, OR A FAMILY RELATIVE HAD A HOUSE
BURNED DOWN, OR THE FAMILY MEMBER OR A GOOD FRIEND GOT
CAUGHT IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND BADLY INJURED.
THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT MOTIVATE A LOT OF PEOPLE.
THEY WANT TO BE USEFUL AND HELPFUL AND THEY DON'T WANT TO
SEE THAT HAPPEN TO ANYBODY ELSE. >> Announcer: NEXT: BURIED ALIVE
UNDER TONS OF HARD SNOWPACK. THE AWESOME FORCE OF AVALANCHES
AND THE RESCUE TECHNOLOGY THAT COMBATS THE DANGER.
"RESCUE EQUIPMENT" WILL RETURN ON<i> MODERN MARVELS.</i>
>> Narrator: WE NOW RETURN TO "RESCUE EQUIPMENT"
ON<i> MODERN MARVELS.</i> >> THE POWERFUL FORCE OF NATURE
STRIKES WITHOUT WARNING. AN AVALANCHE CAN BE TRIGGERED BY
THE SLIGHTEST PRESSURE AND CAN CAUSE THE MOST DEVASTATING
DESTRUCTION IN ITS INCREDIBLE WAKE.
>> Dale Atkins: WHEN THE SLAB AVALANCHE RELEASES, THEY
ACCELERATE ALMOST INSTANTLY. THEY'RE RACING DOWN THE
MOUNTAINSIDE AND A MODERATE-SIZED AVALANCHE
MIGHT BE ONE THAT FALLS... 800 TO A THOUSAND VERTICAL FEET.
IT MIGHT BE 300 FEET ACROSS AND PERHAPS THREE FEET DEEP AND
THAT'S GOING TO FALL DOWN THE MOUNTAINSIDE AT SPEEDS OF 60,
70, 80, 90 MILES AN HOUR. >> Narrator: AVALANCHE RESCUE
TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE BEGINNING OF RECORDED
HISTORY. >> Atkins: WE HAVE TO GO BACK
OVER 2,000 YEARS AGO TO THE GREEK GEOGRAPHER STRABO, WHO
TRAVELED AROUND THE CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS NEAR THE BLACK SEA,
AND HE WRITES OF THE SHEPHERDS CARRYING STAFFS, NOT JUST FOR
THEIR SHEEP, BUT IF THEY WERE BURIED IN AN AVALANCHE, THEY
COULD STICK THE STAFF UP THROUGH THE SNOW, AND I THINK
IT ACTUALLY GOT KIND OF TURNED AROUND A LITTLE BIT, BECAUSE
WHEN YOU'RE BURIED IN THE SNOW, YOU CAN'T MOVE.
YOU CAN'T EVEN PUSH ANYTHING THROUGH THE SURFACE, AND I THINK
THESE STAFFS WERE USED TO HELP FIND PEOPLE THAT WERE BURIED
UNDERNEATH THE SNOW. >> Narrator: THE ROMAN POET
SILIUS ITALICUS WROTE ABOUT HANNIBAL IN 218 B.C. WHO LOST
THOUSANDS OF MEN AND SCORES OF ELEPHANTS IN AVALANCHES WHILE
CROSSING THE ALPS. IN APPROXIMATELY 1050 A.D.,
SAINT BERNARD AND HIS MONKS BEGAN PATROLLING THE ALPS
SEARCHING FOR TRAVELERS WHO WERE CAUGHT IN THE ONSLAUGHT OF SNOW.
THE MONKS DEPLOYED LARGE DOGS, KNOWN AS "BARRY DOGS," TO ASSIST
THEM IN FINDING THOSE TRAVELERS WHO HAD SUCCUMBED TO THE "WHITE
DEATH." THESE GENTLE GIANTS HAD AN
EXCELLENT SENSE OF DIRECTION AND COULD MANEUVER EASILY THROUGH
THE THICK SNOW. NAPOLEON WROTE THAT WHEN HE
CROSSED THE ALPS IN 1800, HE DIDN'T LOSE ANY OF HIS 250,000
MEN, THANKS TO THE MONKS AND THEIR DOGS.
THE IMAGE OF THE SAINT BERNARD WITH THE BRANDY KEG REACHED
MYTHIC PROPORTIONS, EVEN THOUGH THE DOGS NEVER CARRIED ALCOHOL.
THE BARRELS WERE USED TO TRANSPORT MILK TO THE MONASTERY
FROM THE DAIRY. FOR CENTURIES AVALANCHES
CONTINUED TO PLAGUE THE ALPS, AND EVEN PLAYED A DECISIVE ROLE
IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR. >> Atkins: THE AVALANCHES WERE
REALLY A... A POWERFUL WEAPON OF WAR IN WORLD WAR I, KILLING TENS
OF THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS AND, DEPENDING WHICH, UH... HISTORIAN
WE LOOK AT, UH... WE CAN SAY THAT AS MANY AS 40,000 TO 60,000
SOLDIERS WERE KILLED BY AVALANCHES DURING THE THREE
WINTERS OF WORLD WAR I. IN FACT, IN DECEMBER OF 1916,
6,000 TROOPS, AUSTRIAN AND ITALIAN SOLDIERS, WERE KILLED BY
AVALANCHES IN A 48-HOUR PERIOD. >> Narrator: AFTER WORLD WAR II,
MORE PEOPLE WENT TO THE MOUNTAINS FOR RECREATION AND
INCREASED THE NEED FOR RESCUE TEAMS AND RESCUE EQUIPMENT.
EXPERIENCED CLIMBERS WOULD VOLUNTEER TO GO AND SEARCH FOR
THOSE BURIED UNDER THE SNOW, USING THE RUDIMENTARY TOOLS THAT
MOUNTAINEERS HAD AT THE TIME. >> Atkins: A LOT OF THE
EQUIPMENT IN MOUNTAIN RESCUE REALLY HASN'T CHANGED THAT MUCH
IN THE LAST 50 YEARS. I LIKE TO SAY THAT REALLY IT'S
JUST THE COLORS OF THE EQUIPMENT ARE BRIGHTER, BUT GOING BACK 50
YEARS AGO, THE BASIC TOOLS OF THE MOUNTAIN RESCUER WERE ROPE,
SOME BASIC CLIMBING EQUIPMENT, AND A BACKPACK WITH A LITTLE
EXTRA CLOTHING AND FOOD, AND IN ESSENCE, THAT'S STILL A LOT OF
WHAT THE EQUIPMENT IS THAT'S USED TODAY.
>> Charley Shimanski: NOWADAYS WE HAVE EQUIPMENT MADE FROM
TITANIUM, VERY LIGHTWEIGHT. IN THE EARLY DAYS, EVERYTHING
WAS MADE OF STEEL AND VERY HEAVY.
THE ROPES WERE VERY HEAVY. NOWADAYS EVERYTHING'S MUCH MORE
LIGHTWEIGHT, AND THAT'S AN IMPORTANT FACTOR WHEN YOU'RE
CARRYING THIS EQUIPMENT TWO AND THREE MILES INTO THE FIELD TO
TO THE SITE OF THE RESCUE. >> Narrator: ONE CONSTANT IN THE
AVALANCHE RESCUE WORLD IS THE USE OF DOGS TO PICK UP THE SCENT
OF THOSE VICTIMS WHO ARE BURIED IN DEEP, PACKED SNOW.
A DOG'S NOSE IS HUNDREDS OF TIMES MORE SENSITIVE THAN A
HUMAN'S. >> Shimanski: IF YOU'VE GOT AN
AVALANCHE DEBRIS FIELD THAT'S A HUNDRED BY A HUNDRED METERS AND
YOU TAKE 20 RESCUERS INTO THAT AREA, IT CAN TAKE FOUR TO SIX
HOURS FOR THEM TO SEARCH THAT AREA THOROUGHLY, WHEREAS A WELL-
TRAINED AVALANCHE DOG CAN SEARCH THE SAME AREA IN 25 MINUTES.
>> Man: SEARCH IT. SEARCH IT.
>> Cathy Fraser: DOGS ARE PRETTY AMAZING WHEN THEY GET ON A
DEBRIS FIELD. WHERE HUMANS CAN'T SEE ANYTHING
A DOG WILL DO A SEARCH PATTERN, LIKE ANGEL HAS DONE, THIS ZIGZAG
SEARCH PATTERN, IF WE DON'T HAVE ANY WINDS, AND SHE'LL LOCATE THE
PERSON OR SHE'LL WORK DOWNWIND AND THE HUMAN SCENT IS EMANATING
FROM THE SNOWPACK AND SHE CAN IDENTIFY THE PERSON THEN.
>> Narrator: WHILE DOGS ARE EXTREMELY USEFUL, A NEW
ELECTRONIC TRANSCEIVER HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN THE LAST TEN YEARS
THAT HAS REVOLUTIONIZED THE ABILITY OF MOUNTAIN RESCUERS TO
LOCATE A PERSON BURIED IN THE SNOW.
>> Shimanski: THE AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVER IS CERTAINLY ONE OF
THE MOST IMPORTANT TECHNOLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGHS OF THIS CENTURY IN
TERMS OF BACK-COUNTRY USERS. THE TRANSCEIVER IS FAIRLY
SIMPLE. IT'S ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SONY
WALKMAN. I WOULD HAVE ONE, MY SKIING
PARTNER WOULD HAVE ONE, AND IF ONE OF US WERE BURIED IN AN
AVALANCHE, THE OTHER WOULD TAKE THEIR TRANSCEIVER AND ATTACH TO
IT A TINY LITTLE EARPIECE THAT WE WOULD PUT IN THE EAR AND BY
CHANGING THE ORIENTATION OF OUR BEACON, WE CAN VIRTUALLY FIND
SOMEBODY IN AN AVALANCHE DEBRIS FIELD THAT WE CAN'T SEE A SINGLE
TRACE OF WITH THE NAKED EYE. >> Narrator: RESCUERS ALSO USE
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM UNITS THAT TELL THEM THEIR LOCATION AT
ALL TIMES. 15 YEARS AGO WHEN I STARTED
WORKING IN SEARCH AND RESCUE, WE HAD TO BE REALLY, REALLY STRONG
IN OUR MAP AND COMPASS SKILLS, SO THAT WE COULD IDENTIFY WHERE
WE WERE VIRTUALLY ANY TIME OF THE DAY OR NIGHT, AND NOWADAYS
ONE OF THE GREATEST AND MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS TO WHAT
WE DO IS THE GPS UNIT, GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM UNIT, WHICH
WORKS BY RECEIVING SIGNALS FROM A MULTITUDE OF SATELLITES FLYING
OVERHEAD AND TELLS ME WHERE I AM.
>> Narrator: FORECASTERS ANALYZE TERRAIN, SNOWPACK CONDITIONS AND
WEATHER PATTERNS TO PREDICT POTENTIAL AVALANCHE DANGERS,
AND WHILE RESCUE METHODS HAVE IMPROVED, SOMETIMES THE BEST
WEAPON IS PREVENTION. >> Atkins: HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS
AND SKI AREAS USE EXPLOSIVES TO TRIGGER AVALANCHES AND THEY
DELIVER THE EXPLOSIVES A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT WAYS.
THEY CAN USE ARTILLERY WEAPONS THAT ARE MILITARY SURPLUS.
WE ALSO USE GAS-PROPELLED TYPE CANNONS THAT WILL LAUNCH AN
EXPLOSIVE CHARGE UP ONTO A MOUNTAINSIDE, OR THE THIRD WAY
WE DO IT IS WITH HAND CHARGES WHERE SKI PATROLLERS WILL TOSS
THE EXPLOSIVE CHARGES OUT ONTO THE AVALANCHE-PRONE SLOPE TO
TRIGGER THE AVALANCHE. >> Narrator: WITH MORE PEOPLE
VISITING THE BACK COUNTRY AND MOUNTAINS FOR SKIING, HIKING AND
OTHER RECREATIONAL SPORTS, THE EXPERTS FEEL THAT BECOMING
EDUCATED ABOUT AVALANCHE DANGERS IS THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT A
DISASTER. >> Shimanski: YOU CAN HAVE ALL
THE GADGETS IN THE WORLD. UNLESS YOU REALLY KNOW HOW TO
SAFELY USE THEM AND WHEN YOU'RE TAKING UNNECESSARY RISK, YOU'RE
REALLY NOT A SAFE USER OF THE BACK COUNTRY, SO WE'RE REALLY
TRYING TO PROMOTE EDUCATION AS WELL, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT
SORT OF TRANSCENDS TECHNOLOGY AND GENERATIONS AND THAT SORT OF
THING. >> Announcer: COMING UP:
SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY GETS INTO THE RESCUE GAME.
SOPHISTICATED INSTRUMENTS ACCURATELY PINPOINT LOCATIONS OF
PLANE CRASHES AND SHIPWRECKS. "RESCUE EQUIPMENT" WILL RETURN
ON<i> MODERN MARVELS.</i> >> Narrator: WE NOW RETURN
TO "RESCUE EQUIPMENT" ON<i> MODERN MARVELS.</i>
IN THE 1980s, THE WORLD OF SEARCH AND RESCUE JOINED THE
SPACE AGE THROUGH ITS USE OF SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY.
>> Ajay Mehta: THE TECHNOLOGY'S ESTABLISHED.
THE USE OF IT IS FAIRLY NEW-- JUST SINCE THE '80s.
WE'VE ALWAYS HAD THE CAPABILITIES TO TRANSMIT SIGNALS
TO A SATELLITE AND PROCESS 'EM, BUT TO TURN AROUND AND USE THOSE
SIGNALS AND LOCATE PEOPLE... >> Narrator: THE COSPAS-SARSAT
PROGRAM IS A COOPERATIVE EFFORT OF FRANCE, THE UNITED STATES,
CANADA AND RUSSIA. IT IS A SATELLITE-TRACKING
SYSTEM THAT PICKS UP AND RELAYS SIGNALS FROM DISTRESS BEACONS
AROUND THE WORLD. COSPAS IS AN ACRONYM FOR THE
RUSSIAN SATELLITES THAT CARRY THE EQUIPMENT.
>> Mehta: SARSAT STANDS FOR "SEARCH AND RESCUE SATELLITE
AIDED TRACKING," AND IT'S ACTUALLY THE NAME OF THE
INSTRUMENT THAT FLIES ON THE NOAA SATELLITES.
>> Narrator: NOAA-- THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC
ADMINISTRATION-- HAS SATELLITES THAT MONITOR WEATHER CONDITIONS
FROM SPACE. THE SARSAT INSTRUMENT IS A
PAYLOAD ON THESE SATELLITES. RUSSIA JOINED THE PROGRAM TO
HELP PROTECT HER LARGE FISHING FLEET.
>> James Bailey: AND PLUS, THEY HAD JUST FINISHED THE
APOLLO-SOYUZ VENTURE WITH NASA, AND THEY WERE LOOKING FOR OTHER
SPACE PROGRAMS THEY COULD BE COOPERATIVE IN, AND WHEN THEY
SAW THE SEARCH AND RESCUE BUSINESS, THEY DECIDED THAT WAS
A GOOD ONE FOR THEM TO GET ON BOARD WITH AS WELL.
>> Narrator: THE CONCEPT IS RELATIVELY SIMPLE.
BOATS AND AIRPLANES ARE EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC LOCATING
TRANSMITTERS OR BEACONS. IF THE BOAT OR PLANE IS IN
DANGER, THE TRANSMITTER IS AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATED AND
SENDS A SIGNAL TO THE SATELLITE. THE SATELLITE PROCESSES THE
INFORMATION AND RELAYS IT TO THE NEAREST GROUND TERMINAL.
THE GROUND STATION TRANSMITS TO A MISSION CONTROL CENTER.
MISSION CONTROL DETERMINES WHICH RESCUE COORDINATION CENTER IS
THE CLOSEST, AND PASSES ON THE LOCATION INFORMATION.
>> Officer: COAST GUARD COMMAND CENTER, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER
ROBBINS. >> Mehta: THE MISSION CONTROL
CENTERS ARE LOCATED IN SOUTH AMERICA AND COUNTRIES LIKE
CHILE, BRAZIL, PERU. THEY'RE IN EUROPE AND U.K., IN
FRANCE, SPAIN. RUSSIA HAS ONE... INDIA,
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND, CHINA, JAPAN.
>> Narrator: THE NOAA POLAR ORBITING SATELLITES ARE AT AN
ALTITUDE OF 458 MILES AND TRAVEL ONCE AROUND THE EARTH EVERY 90
MINUTES. BECAUSE THEY ARE SO FAST, WHEN
THEY DETECT A DISTRESS SIGNAL, THEY USE A PHYSICAL PHENOMENON
CALLED THE DOPPLER SHIFT TO DETERMINE ITS EXACT LOCATION.
>> Mehta: WHEN THEY DETECT A SIGNAL, THEY DON'T ACTUALLY
DETECT IT AT THE FREQUENCY THAT THE BEACON'S TRANSMITTING, MUCH
LIKE A TRAIN WHISTLE. WHEN YOU HEAR A TRAIN WHISTLE,
IF IT'S STATIONARY, IT SOUNDS A CERTAIN WAY, BUT IF IT'S
COMING TOWARD YOU, THE PITCH CHANGES AND AS IT'S GOING AWAY
FROM YOU, THE PITCH CHANGES. THAT'S THE DOPPLER SHIFT, AND
THAT'S THE PRINCIPLE THAT WE USE TO LOCATE SIGNALS.
>> Narrator: THE SARSAT INSTRUMENTS ARE ALSO ABOARD THE
"GOES" OR "GEOSTATIONARY OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL
SATELLITES." THESE ARE ALMOST 23,000 MILES UP
IN SPACE AND ROTATE WITH THE EARTH.
THEY RECEIVE THE LOCATION INFORMATION DIRECTLY
FROM THE BEACONS AS LONG AS THE BEACONS ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM. >> Mehta: THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN
GET A LOCATION IS IF THE BEACON ITSELF TRANSMITS ITS POSITION
IN ITS SIGNAL, AND THAT'S POSSIBLE WITH NEWER BEACONS.
THEY HAVE... MOST OF THEM HAVE SOMETHING THAT'S CALLED
A "GPS RECEIVER" WHICH ACTUALLY GETS ITS POSITION FROM ANOTHER
SERIES OF SATELLITES, THE GPS SATELLITES.
IT'LL CALCULATE ITS POSITION AND THEN SEND IT AND THE SIGNAL TO
OUR SATELLITES, SO THAT WE KNOW RIGHT AWAY WHOSE BEACON IS BEING
ACTIVATED AS WELL AS WHERE IT'S BEING ACTIVATED.
>> Narrator: TODAY'S NEW GPS BEACONS OPERATE ON A SEPARATE
DESIGNATED FREQUENCY. THIS DIMINISHES THE POSSIBILITY
OF FALSE ALARMS THAT HAD BEEN CAUSED BY INADVERTENT SIGNALS
FROM GARAGE DOOR OPENERS AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES.
>> Lieutenant Colonel Mark Perkins: OUT OF A HUNDRED
SIGNALS, FOR EXAMPLE, ABOUT 97 OF THOSE HUNDRED WOULD BE
"NON-DISTRESS ALERTS" IS WHAT WE CALL THEM.
THREE OF THEM, THOUGH, ARE DISTRESS, SO WE HAVE TO TREAT
THEM ALL LIKE THEY'RE REAL. WE LOOK AT IT AS KIND OF LIKE
DETECTIVES, REALLY. WE HAVE A SIGNAL.
WE HAVE A MYSTERY. WE'RE TRYING TO SOLVE IT.
WE HOPE IT'S NOT DISTRESS, BUT WE HAVE TO PLAN FOR THE FACT
THAT IT IS. >> Narrator: FROM THE FIRST SAVE
IN 1982 UNTIL TODAY, THE PROGRAM HAS PROVEN SUCCESSFUL.
>> Lieutenant Commander Paul Steward:
WE'VE SEEN OVER 12,000 LIVES SAVED SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN THE
UNITED STATES, AND IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, WE'VE HAD OVER
1,200 LIVES SAVED USING THE SARSAT SYSTEM.
SO THE IMPACT IS TREMENDOUS. WE ARE ALLOWING OUR ASSETS TO
LAUNCH ON A KNOWN POSITION, SO WE'RE NOT WASTING THE TAXPAYERS'
MONEY BY FLYING AROUND SEARCHING.
>> Narrator: THE BEACONS ARE MANDATED FOR LARGE SHIPS AND
AIRCRAFT, BUT ANY MARINER OR AVIATOR CAN BUY ONE FOR
BETWEEN $800-$1,200. >> Steward: THERE'S A LOT OF
PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT MAY NOT NECESSARILY NEED ONE OF THESE
BEACONS, BUT IF I WERE IN TROUBLE, I WOULD WANT ONE.
>> Perkins: WE'RE ABLE TO ACTUALLY TRACK SIGNALS THAT IN
THE PAST WE WOULDN'T HAVE EVEN KNOWN ABOUT.
I FEEL IT'S BEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN OUR RESCUE
CAPABILITY BY HAVING THE SYSTEM. IT'S ALSO A GREAT THING FOR THE
POPULACE TO KNOW THAT, WITH THEIR EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT, YOU
KNOW, THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE ONBOARD, THAT THERE'S DEDICATED
EQUIPMENT THAT'S ONLY USED FOR THAT PURPOSE-- TO LISTEN FOR IT.
>> Bailey: THIS PROGRAM IS THE MOST REWARDING PROGRAM I'VE EVER
BEEN INVOLVED IN, IN THE FACT THAT YOU'RE SAVING LIVES, YOU'RE
SAVING MONEY, YOU'RE SAVING PROPERTY, AND IT'S JUST A GREAT
HUMANITARIAN PROJECT. I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH SEARCH
AND RESCUE... I GOT INVOLVED IN IT A LITTLE BIT WHEN I WAS IN
THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, AND, UH, THIS JUST TURNED ME ON
EVEN MORE. AND I THINK IT IS THE MOST
REWARDING PROGRAM I'VE EVER BEEN AFFILIATED WITH.
>> Narrator: FROM THE UNSEEN, UNHEARD WORLD
OF SATELLITE SYSTEMS TO THE FAMILIAR SIGHTS
AND SOUNDS OF SIRENS AND TOOLS LIKE THE JAWS OF LIFE,
RESCUE TECHNOLOGY IS SAVING OUR MOST PRECIOUS ASSET:
HUMAN LIVES. <font color="#FFFF00">[Captioning sponsored by
A&E TELEVISION NETWORKS</font> Captioned by<font color="#FF0000">
The Caption Center</font> WGBH Educational Foundation]
