Search and rescue technology designed in the U.S. was successfully used to rescue four men trapped by the April 25 earthquake in Nepal.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Finding Individuals for Disaster and Emergency Response, or FINDER, was able to locate the men by detecting their heartbeats under up to 10 feet of debris.
FINDER was created in a joint effort between the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. While it is now being licensed for use in search and rescue, National Geographic magazine reported that the technology was originally developed for sensing other planets.
FINDER is so precise that it is able to distinguish between human, mechanical and animal movement, Homeland Security reported. Picking up on human motions like breathing and heartbeats can allow emergency responders to find even unconscious victims who are unable to call for help.
After the stress of the day, it is important for first responders to take time to relax after work.
According to National Geographic, this was the first time that FINDER technology was used in a real disaster situation.
"The true test of any technology is how well it works in a real-life operational setting," said Reginald Brothers, undersecretary for DHS Science and Technology. "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 success of the mission could lead to use of the technology in similar situations, allowing emergency responders to save people who would otherwise be impossible to locate.