NASA’s heartbeat-detecting technology saves four Nepal earthquake survivors

A technology capable of detecting human heartbeats from a distance was used to successfully locate and rescue four trapped Nepalese men following the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25.

Referred to as FINDER, which is short for Finding Individuals for Disaster and Emergency Response, is a fairly new technology developed by NASA and the Department of Homeland Security’s Science (DHS) and Technology Directorate. It uses microwave-radar technology to find people trapped under debris by sensing and locating heartbeats. Two suitcase prototypes were brought to Nepal to assist with rescue efforts on April 29. 

“The true test of any technology is how well it works in a real-life operational setting,” DHS undersecretary for science and technology Reginald Brothers said in a statement. “Of course, no one wants disasters to occur, but tools like this are designed to help when our worst nightmares do happen. I am proud that we were able to provide the tools to help rescue these four men.”

The rescued men were trapped for days in the village of Chautara. FINDER was able to detect the heartbeats of two men trapped beneath 10 feet of rubble in one spot, and another two survivors trapped in another. Once the locations were clearly marked, rescue workers went in and pulled the people out. 

The microwave radar technology employed by FINDER is so advanced, in fact, it can tell its operators the difference between a human heartbeat and the heartbeats of other living things. It’s helpful to have pinpointed this particular biological marker as it means it can detect the whereabouts of trapped humans, regardless of whether they’re conscious at the time the rescuers are looking for them. 

Per NASA, FINDER has detected people buried under 30 feet of rubble, hidden behind 20 feet of solid concrete, and from a distance of 100 feet across open space. The technology can be used to mark the location of trapped individuals to within five feet of their location (depending on the type of rubble they’re trapped in).

Looking ahead, FINDER is now moving into a commercial enterprise phase, whereupon it will be available for purchase by rescue agencies and organizations the world over. 

Via NASA