This thesis evaluates novel electronic physiologic monitor potential in remote and rural search and rescue. Casualties are often located a considerable distance away from definitive care. Their rescue involves a variety of groups, including volunteer rescue teams. Rescuers manage a wide range of medical problems, from minor issues to more serious, life-threatening conditions. However, casualty monitoring is restricted by steep terrain and extreme environmental conditions. Evidence indicated that novel electronic physiologic monitors were in development. Some were lightweight and wireless – it was hypothesised that such technology could facilitate health monitoring, conferring benefits to casualties and their carers. Novel physiologic monitor potential was explored using a multi-method approach, involving four methodologically distinct pieces of research. This included a reverseengineering approach to define the rescue context. A thematic review of remote and rural casualty rescues identified a potential worldwide demand for a novel monitor, although only a small proportion of casualties had severe injury. A longitudinal analysis of UK remote and rural casualties confirmed a consistent mountain rescue casualty demand for monitoring. Injury was more frequent than illness and a majority of injury involved suspected fracture to the lower extremity. A qualitative study identified evidence of support for novel monitors amongst rescuer groups. However, some felt that the environment and the variety of rescuer first-aid and medical training could negate monitor potential. A laboratory-function study evaluated the performance of an example of a novel monitor under simulated rescue conditions. There was little effect of several layers of clothing and a mountain rescue casualty bag on data accuracy. Taking all the evidence gathered into consideration, it was concluded that novel electronic physiologic monitors did have potential in remote and rural search and rescue. A concept design for a rescue-specific physiologic monitor was proposed, including software, hardware and architecture for future use.

Thesis (M.F.A.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 1995. / Typescript. Bibliography: leaf 51.

D. Litt. et Phil. / This research focuses on the development of a short term action centered clinical personological treatment programme for adult emergency rescue workers who developed secondary traumatic stress disorder (STSD)/compassion fatigue and co-morbid symptoms of burnout as a result of exposure to critical incidents. A programme, comprising three sessions, was developed incorporating previously tested cognitive behavioural techniques with clinical personological theory as well as newly developed behavioural techniques tailored to the cross cultural South African context. The need for the study arose out of the lack of scientific validated data regarding the treatment of STSD/compassion fatigue among emergency rescue workers as well as the need for a cost-effective treatment programme that would address the serious need of emergency rescue workers in South Africa who for the most part need to make do without any employee wellbeing programmes. The effects of STSD/compassion fatigue are often as debilitating as that of PTSD. It hampers the sufferer unable to operate as well as they previously did. As a result they may present with lower productivity at work as well as various psycho-social problems and be at risk of substance abuse. This ultimately has a negative impact on the victims of trauma they are responsible for rescuing. Various theoretical models are discussed on the etiology of STSD/compassion fatigue, including the constructivist development al theory by McCann and Pearlman (1990) as well as Valent’s (2003) bio-social theory on survival strategies. Treatment approaches are investigated and critiqued, including, the accelerated recovery program (ARP) as developed by Gentry, Baranowsky and Dunning (2003) under the direction of Figley (2003) for the treatment and prevention of compassion fatigue, critical incident stress debriefing as first formally described by Mitchell in 1983 for the treatment of acute traumatic stress reactions, as well as Saakvitne and Pearlman’s (1992) constructivist self-developmental treatment program for vicarious traumatization, based on the constructivist self development al theory developed by McCann and Pearlman (1990). The theories and therapies underlying the intervention programme include various cognitive behavioural and personological principles to offer a person specific practical solutions for their personality type and psychological needs. The hypotheses were formulated with regard to significant improvement of symptoms of STSD/compassion fatigue as result of the intervention programme. The co-morbid symptoms of burnout are also evaluated for a decrease, without significantly reducing their capacity for compassion satisfaction. A test re- test quasi-experimental analysis with two independent groups was required, in order to determine whether there will be a statistically meaning full reduction in the prevalence of symptoms of secondary traumatic stress disorder (STSD)/compassion fatigue and the co-morbid symptoms of burnout amongst emergency rescue staff who had been instructed in an Action Centred Personological Treatment Plan. In an effort to attain spatial and temporal control a sample population was selected with a cluster sampling method from the greater Gauteng emergency rescue staff. They included paramedics, fire fighters and ambulance staff. The specific municipality had been incorporated into a greater Gauteng metropolis in the past two years. Potential subjects for both the experimental and control group were obtained through drawing personnel files, using random sampling. A sample of 17 participants was included in the intervention group and 17 participants were included in a non-intervention group. This was representative of 80% of the total population group of emergency rescue staff in this particular municipality. Existing psychometric assessment instruments were utilised to generate data for the experimental analysis. The measurement instruments included, the Millon inventory of personality styles (MIPS) to customise a cognitive behavioural treatment programme, the Compassion fatigue and satisfaction questionnaire to verify symptoms of STSD/compassion fatigue and burnout, and the British Columbia burnout questionnaire to confirm symptoms of burnout. The quantitative data was supported by information gathered from a clinical social history questionnaire. This information was used as part of the discussion of the results as a means to enhance the former descriptive results. The action centred personological treatment programme proved to be effective in the treatment of symptoms of STSD/compassion fatigue and burnout without significantly reducing the candidates’ potential for compassion satisfaction.

Master of Science

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Saving the life of another person cannot be measured in monetary terms. It is also impossible to describe the satisfactiori of carrying out a successful rescue to anybody. However, the disappointment and sense of failure when a rescue mission fails and a life is lost, is devastating. Many rescue workers, including those of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), have experienced this overwhelming sense of failure. Rescue workers often dwell on failed rescue attempts, wishing that they could have arrived on the scene earlier or knew where to start looking for people. The fact that lives are still lost, despite the best efforts of rescue workers, points to the need to improve on life saving techniques, procedures, equipment and technology. Providing the NSRI with a workable tool to help them manage and allocate resources, plan a rescue, determine drift speed and distance or create search patterns, may one day be just enough to save one more life. With this goal in mind, a search and rescue application, called RescueView, was developed utilising ArcView 3.2a. This application was specifically designed for use by the NSRI, and it will be used as a command centre in all NRSI control rooms and for all rescue efforts. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Om die lewe van 'n ander persoon te red, kan nie in geldwaarde gemeet word nie. Dit is ook onmoontlik om aan enige iemand die bevrediging van 'n suksesvolle redding te beskryf. Die terleurstelling en gevoel van verlies is egter baie groot wanneer 'n reddingspoging misluk en 'n lewe verloor word. Menige reddingswerkers, insluitend dié van die Nasional Seereddingsinstituut (NSRI), het al hierdie oorweldigende gevoel van mislukking ervaar. Reddingswerkers tob dikwels oor onsuksesvolle reddingspogings en wens dat hulle vroeër op die toneel aangekom het of geweet het waar om vir mense te begin soek. Die feit dat lewensverlies steeds plaasvind, ten spyte van reddingswerkers se beste pogings, dui op die behoefte om lewensreddingstegnieke, -prosedures, -toerusting en -tegnologie te verbeter. ( Deur die NSRI met 'n werkbare instrument te voorsien, wat hulle kan help om hulpbronne te bestuur en toe te wys, 'n redding te beplan, dryfspoed en -afstand te bepaal of soekpatrone te skep, mag eendag dalk net genoeg wees om nog 'n lewe te red. Met hierdie doel in gedagte is RescueView, 'n soek- en reddingsapplikasie, deur middel van ArcView 3.2a ontwikkel. Hierdie applikasie is spesifiek ontwerp vir gebruik deur die NSRI en dit sal as beheersentrurn in alle NSRI kontrolekamers en vir alle reddingspogings gebruik word.

Background: Public transportation constitutes a vulnerable sector in modern day society with a high probability of generating mass casualties if attacked. By preparing for mass-casualty attacks (MCAs), response can become more effective and public transportation can become a less rewarding target. However, preparedness for attacks, much like response, implies resource constraints, and this dissertation pinpoints some major dilemmas that inhibit achieving preparedness for MCAs on public transportation in Sweden. Aim: The aim of this dissertation was to investigate preparedness for mass-casualty attacks on public transportation. This allowed for identification of major challenges for preparedness and response with a particular focus on the Swedish context. Methods: Study I included 477 MCAs identified through searches of the Global Terrorism Database, journals, newspapers and websites, which were examined with descriptive statistics. Study II thematically analyzed 105 articles attained by systematic searches of the PubMed and Scopus databases. Study III and IV statistically analyzed data from 864 responses to a purposive-designed questionnaire, from operational personnel of the Swedish emergency organizations. Study V entailed validation of a finite element (FE) simulation model of a bombing in a train carriage compared to the bombings in Madrid 2004. Results: International trends of MCAs (≥ 10 fatally injured and/or ≥ 100 non-fatally injured) on public transportation, during the years 1970-2009 (I) showed that the average number of injured increased considerably, despite a quite stable incidence rate since the 1980s. High numbers of injured people were connected to attacks on terminal buildings, multiple targets and complex tactical approaches. Few MCAs occurred in Europe, but the average number of fatalities per incident and injured per incident were the second highest among regions. The literature study (II) of previous on-scene management showed that commonly encountered challenges during unintentional incidents were added to during MCAs, implying specific issues for safety, assessment, triage and treatment, which require collaborative planning and specific training. The study regarding the Swedish emergency organizations’ perceptions of terrorist attacks (III) showed significant differences on perceptions of event likelihood, willingness to respond, estimated management capability and level of confidence in knowledge of tasks to be performed on scene. The police respondents stood out; e.g., fewer police personnel had high estimates of their organizations’ management capability and knowledge of tasks on-scene compared to the other organizations. The study of factors that influence responders’ perceptions of preparedness for terrorism (IV) showed that these were influenced by the responders’ sex, work experience, organizational affiliation, various training arrangements and access to personal protective equipment (PPE). Investing in amenable factors, such as terrorism-related management training and provision of PPE, could improve responders’ perceptions of preparedness for terrorism. A finite-element (FE) model of an explosion in a train carriage (V) was developed and showed that FE modeling techniques could effectively model damage and injuries for explosions with applicability for preparedness and injury mitigation efforts, but, also, there was room for improvement of the model in terms of injuries. Conclusion: Achieving preparedness for MCAs on public transportation is a multiple choice balancing act between ostensible dilemmas regarding investments, disaster plans, training, response strategies, collaboration and inventions. / Bakgrund: Kollektivtrafik utgör en sårbar sektor i dagens samhälle, med hög sannolikhet att generera en situation med många drabbade vid attentat. Genom att förbereda för masskadeattentat (MCA) kan hanteringen bli effektivare och kollektivtrafiken utgöra ett mindre givande mål. Beredskap för attentat, liksom själva hanteringen, innefattar dock resursbegränsningar och denna avhandling belyser somliga avgörande utmaningar som hämmar utvecklandet av beredskap för MCA mot kollektivtrafiken i Sverige.   Syfte: Syftet med avhandlingen var att undersöka beredskapen för masskadeattentat mot kollektivtrafik. Detta möjliggjorde identifiering av stora utmaningar för beredskap och insatser, med särskilt fokus på den svenska kontexten.   Metoder: Studie I innefattade 477 MCA som identifierades genom sökningar i Global Terrorism Database, vetenskapliga tidskrifter, tidningar och webbsidor, som sedan undersöktes med deskriptiv statistik. I Studie II genomfördes en tematisk analys av 105 artiklar, funna genom systematiska sökningar i databaserna PubMed och Scopus. I Studie III och IV genomfördes statistisk analys av data från 864 respondenter till en ändamålsenligt utformad enkät, utskickad till operativ personal inom blåljusorganisationerna. Studie V innebar validering av en finita element (FE)-modell av en explosion i en tågvagn genom jämförelse med bombningarna i Madrid 2004.   Resultat: I den internationella utvecklingen av MCA (≥ 10 dödsfall eller ≥ 100 icke-dödligt skadade) mot kollektivtrafik, under åren 1970-2009 (I) visade det sig att det genomsnittliga antalet skadade ökade kraftigt, trots en tämligen stabil incidens av antalet händelser sedan 1980-talet. Skadadeutfallet var ofta stort vid angrepp på terminalbyggnader, multipla mål och användning av komplexa taktiska metoder. Få MCA inträffade i Europa, men det genomsnittliga antalet dödsfall per fall och skadade per fall var den näst högsta bland regioner. Litteraturstudien (II) av skadeplatshantering vid tidigare attentat visade att vanligt förekommande utmaningar under oavsiktliga masskadehändelser utökades under MCA med särskilda svårigheter kring säkerhet, bedömning, triage och behandling, vilket i sin tur kräver gemensam planering och särskild utbildning. Studien om de svenska blåljusorganisationernas uppfattningar om terroristattacker (III) visade signifikanta skillnader på uppfattningar om sannolikhet av olika händelser, viljan att respondera, beräknad hanteringskapacitet och förlitan till kunskap om uppgifter som ska utföras på skadeplats. Polisernas svar utmärkte sig; t.ex. hade färre inom polisen höga uppskattningar av sin organisations hanteringskapacitet och sin egen kunskap om uppgifter på plats, jämfört med de andra organisationerna. Studien av vilka faktorer som påverkade respondenternas uppfattning om beredskap för terrorism (IV) visade att uppfattningar påverkades av deras kön, arbetslivserfarenhet, organisationstillhörighet, olika former av utbildning och tillgång till personlig skyddsutrustning. Investeringar i åtgärder såsom terrorism-relaterad träning och personlig skyddsutrustning skulle kunna förbättra uppfattning om beredskap för terrorism inom blåljusorganisationerna. En FE modell av en explosion i en tågvagn (V) utvecklades och visade att FE metoden skulle kunna modellera materiella skador och personskador av explosioner, med tillämpning för beredskap och skadelindrande åtgärder, men visade också att det fanns utrymme för förbättring av modellen avseende personskador.   Slutsats: Förverkligandet av beredskap för masskadeattentat mot kollektivtrafik utgör en balansgång i beslutstagande mellan vad som förefaller vara dilemman om investeringar, krisplaner, utbildning, responsstrategier, samverkan och innovationer. / Preparedness for mass-casualty attacks on public transportation

在世界各地，自然或人為災難隨時可能發生。災難回應作為災難處理的重要環節顯得尤為重要，隨著科學技術的進步和提高，人們希望通過使用各種科學手段來提高災難的回應效率。機器人技術作為21世紀高科技結合的產物被廣泛應用於這一領域。一般情況下，設計者會採用功能集成的思想對機器人進行設計，他們的主要設計思想是根據自己對環境的理解和認知得到機器人的設計需求，然後針對設計需求，通過功能集成和疊加的方式來完成對機器人的設計，採用這種方式機器人一旦設計完畢，其功能也隨之確立並不可更改，這種設計思想是基於環境狀況的，即一旦災難現場的環境不符合預先的設定，機器人的執行能力將大幅下降，同時功能疊加的設計方式會產生功能與功能之間相互約束，影響其專業性。 / 本文介紹了一種基於分散式設計思想的全新設計理念，並且根據這一理念設計了一套基於任務需求的救援機器人系統。機器人系統不會根據設計者對災難現場的預先理解和認知而被一體化設計，相反根據"如何到達"和"如何操作"把機器人系統拆分成移動單元和操作單元兩個環節，針對每個環節分別設計了符合現場需求的通用移動模組和任務執行模組，救援人員可以根據災難現場的即時任務需求而迅速搭建出有針對性的機器人系統任務解決方案，和傳統的機器人系統相比，具適應性廣、靈活性高、針對性強等特點。 / 在本論文中，對三種通用的移動平臺和兩種通用的模組化關節以及一個快速連接器分別進行了結構設計、理論分析及樣機設計，並採用基本的通用模組，根據即時的任務需求構建出有針對性的多個機器人系統。實驗表明該機器人系統可以提供對災難環境有針對性的系統解決方案，具有一定容錯性、經濟性及災難環境的適應性。文章的創新點如下，首次針對于救援機器人提出分散式的設計思想，並以該思想為基礎設計了基於通用模組的救援機器人系統，針對不同任務對移動性能的不同要求設計了三種移動平臺，為滿足不同的救援操作要求設計了兩種模組化關節以及快速連接器。同時，文中為實際的地震救援任務提出了一套救援機器人系統解決方案。 / Natural and man-made disasters nowadays still present a large amount of risk. Disaster response is an important phase of disaster management, and the enhancement of its effectiveness and accountability has attracted an increasing amount of attention. Robots can help rescuers in doing this task because of its wide range of applications. In general, the rescue robot concept assumes one or more targeted tasks while design, and one or a set of robot(s) is/are designed by integrating different functions to accomplish those tasks. Once the design of a robot is finished, its function cannot be changed. However, this kind of design is environment-dependent, as once a disaster environment changes, the execution performance of the robot will reduce. Furthermore the function-integrated design concept may cause internal constraints between functions, and fail to provide a targeted solution for different disaster environments. / This dissertation introduces a novel design concept, based on which a requirement-oriented rescue robot system is developed. This design concept adopts a distributed strategy, according to which tasks are no longer seen as a whole but divided into two parts: traversability and operation. Several functional modules are designed to meet the different requirements of the two parts separately, and the entire robot system can be assembled using different functional modules according to the real-time requirements of the disaster environment. Compared with the traditional rescue robot system, this system can provide a more targeted solution for different disaster situations, and is more adaptable and flexible. / This dissertation details the basic functional modules, including three kinds of mobile bases for traversability and two sets of modular joints for operation, and analyzes a quick connector that makes the connection easier and more convenient. Several possible combinations of the rescue robot system are displayed to show how to construct a rescue robot system according to different requirements. This kind of rescue robot system can provide targeted solutions to different disaster tasks. Robustness is also enhanced, as the replacement of the functional modules is flexible and easy to overhaul. Furthermore, the functional modules can be decomposed and reused to make the robot system more economical. This dissertation makes several contributions. It presents a systematic solution for rescue robot, develops three mobile bases for high traversability and two kinds of modular joints and a quick connector for rescue operation. Furthermore, it also develops a rescue robot system for missions in earthquake. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Yang, Yong. / Thesis (Ph.D.) Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2014. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 226-236). / Abstracts also in Chinese.

Thesis (M. E.)--University of New South Wales, 2005. / Also available online.

Thesis (M.S.)--Naval Postgraduate School, 2007. / Title from title page of source document (p. iii) (viewed on December 6, 2007). Includes Report documentation page (p. ii). Thesis Advisor(s): Susan G. Hutchins, Anthony Kendall. "June 2007." Includes bibliographical references (p. 171-176 ). Also available in print.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering, 2017 / In the mining industry, communications systems are important for ensuring personnel safety and optimizing the mining processes underground. Achieving robust and reliable through-the-air (TTA) communication systems has always been a challenge in the underground mining environment due to harsh and dynamic conditions. TTA requires radio channel characterization for efficient designing and deploying of the communications systems. The literature covers the statistical radio propagation of a room and pillar coal mine, a longwall coal mine, CANMET Gold mine, Camborne School of Mines hard rock mine tunnel, MUZ Coal mine, an iron-ore mine and a lead-zinc mine with linearly polarized antennas at different frequencies. [Abbreviated Abstract. Open document to view full version] / MT 2017