Citation

McGrane O, Cronin A, Hile D. Wilderness Environ. Med. 2013; 24(1): 28-31.

Affiliation

Department of Emergency Medicine, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA. Electronic address: omcgrane@gmail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.wem.2012.09.002

PMID

23290927

Abstract

OBJECTIVE.-: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a handheld sonar device significantly reduces the mean time needed to locate a missing diver. METHODS.-: This institutional review board approved, prospective, crossover study used a voluntary convenience sample of 10 scuba divers. Participants conducted both a standard and modified search to locate a simulated missing diver. The standard search utilized a conventional search pattern starting at the point where the missing diver (simulated) was last seen. The modified search used a sonar beacon to augment the search. For each search method, successful completion of the search was defined as locating the missing diver within 40 minutes. RESULTS.-: Twenty total dives were completed. Using a standard search pattern, the missing diver was found by only 1 diver (10%), taking 18 minutes and 45 seconds. In the sonar-assisted search group, the missing diver was found by all 10 participants (100%), taking an average of 2 minutes and 47 seconds (SD 1 minute, 20 seconds). Using the nonparametric related samples Wilcoxon signed rank test, actual times between the sonar group and the standard group were significant (P < .01). Using paired samples t tests, the sonar group's self-assessed confidence increased significantly after using the sonar (P < .001), whereas the standard group decreased in confidence (not statistically significant, P = .111). CONCLUSIONS.-: Handheld sonar significantly reduces the mean duration to locate a missing diver as well as increasing users' confidence in their ability to find a missing diver when compared with standard search techniques.

Language: en