NASA’s heartbeat-detecting tech saves lives in quake-hit Nepal

NASA’s heartbeat-detecting tech saves lives in quake-hit Nepal

A new heartbeat-detecting device developed by NASA has helped rescue four men trapped under as much as 10 feet of bricks, mud and other debris in Nepal after a killer earthquake devastated the country.

The device called FINDER (Finding Individuals for Disaster and Emergency Response) uses microwave-radar technology to detect heartbeats of victims trapped in wreckage. Following the 7.9 magnitude April 25 earthquake in Nepal, two prototype FINDER devices were deployed to support search and rescue teams in the stricken areas.

“The true test of any technology is how well it works in a real-life operational setting,” said Dr Reginald Brothers, Under Secretary for Science and Technology at the U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “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,” said Brothers.

The men had been trapped beneath the rubble for days in the hard-hit village of Chautara. Using FINDER, a contingent of international rescuers was able to detect two heartbeats beneath each of two different collapsed structures, allowing the rescue workers to find and save the men.