First responder’s complete water rescue training using artificial intelligence sonar system

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – The Cape Girardeau Fire Department completed training on the use of a new system that uses AI technology to aid in water rescues. 

In a move that could dramatically change water rescues. The Cape Girardeau Fire Department has acquired a hand-held sonar system that uses Ai technology that will allow responders to locate bodies submerged in bodies of water a lot quicker than they previously could. 

According to Cape Girardeau, Battalion Fire Chief Brad Dillow the handheld system is called AquaEye and cost around $7,000 and was obtained to help with water rescues. Multiple agencies participated in a training on the use of the new system today.

“This is going to allow us now instead of having to search maybe this entire area right here, he’s going to be able to go out in that water, do a scan and basically say, I have a body right there, 25 meters out” says Chief Dillow.

According to Dillow this little system will be able to pinpoint a body under water much quicker than they previously could, and it removes obstacles they previously faced, such as being able to navigate places a boat couldn’t fit. Dillow shares that if they can reach a body submerged in cold water in under an hour there’s a chance of reviving the person.

Anthony Dowell is a member of Cape Girardeau Fire Department. He shares how the system works to locate a victim.  

“In here, we don’t have a whole lot of debris, but we do have a couple things. If this gives me an X on my screen here, then that means that it’s a positive hit for a victim. That’s what this interprets it’s got AI technology” says Dowell. “So, every time that we’ve used this, it’s given us an X where our victim has been.” 

According to Dowell the system pinpoints where a body is by using AI sonar technology it is able to differentiate debris and other things from a human body. Dowell then tells a diver the approximate location of the body and the diver is able to dive down, locate the body and through the help of the rescue team be pulled to safety.

AQUAEYE® – THE FIRST MOBILE SEARCH AND RESCUE SONAR WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE