B.C. rescuers use helicopter-mounted cell tower to find missing man

[usonian]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/north-shore-rescue-lifeseeker-portable-cell-tower-1.7639677

A B.C. volunteer search-and-rescue team says it believes it is the first in the province, and likely in Canada, to use a portable cell tower on a helicopter as part of a rescue operation.

North Shore Rescue (NSR) said it was called to assist Nanaimo SAR on Friday morning, after a man reportedly went off his e-bike the previous day and had not returned.

Rescuers were told that there had been some contact with the man's cellphone, but his exact latitude and longitude weren't known.

That's when they deployed the recently-acquired LifeSeeker unit, which had been installed on one of their helicopters. It functions like a portable cell tower and helps locate cellphones in the backcountry, where there would otherwise be no signal.

Centum, the company behind the Lifeseeker system, says on its website that the technology has been used on 220 successful rescue missions across four continents.

[Attilatheblond]

1. A GOOD use of tech! But it's just a tool and the test is in how a tool gets used.

Sadly, I figure Steven Miller + Pete Hegseth will put it to nefarious use against protesters all too soon.

[usonian]

2. They got IMSI cell signal catchers and more.

See my post
Surveillance Self Defense. Special info for protesters.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10114351

The gizmo would have saved lives of a couple that went hiking near me in the heat.
Experienced hikers, at that.

I personally would hand one of two FRS walkie-talkies to the nearest ranger.

And I planned to get an iphone14 or newer, for the cell SOS feature, but I never get out of cell range (except momentarily in dead-signal patches)

CB radios are too heavy (my old ones are)

[JoseBalow]

3. This is a great idea!

Everyone carries a cell phone around these days. I hope this catches on everywhere.

[Maninacan]

4. remote area booster

I bought a booster to use in rural Missouri . I could text but calls would drop off after minute. Saved me from having to drive out of the valley I was in. Mobile boosters look the same but cost a lot more . The area I was in lost TV reception with the change from analog and government dropped requirements on phone being supplied to the area.