In order subsequently, to make clear what use the BODYFLAG has ,it is first of all necessary to describe the existing situation and the resulting problems therein.
Description of the problem
At events where there are a lot of visitors present, mobile teams from differing organisations such as police security services, paramedics or fire-fighters are deployed. These emergency personnel are as a rule, coordinated from a control centre.
The control centre as well as their staff uses maps with coordinate grids for better orientation on the site. If an emergency situation occurs within the crowd (non contactable persons, or injured persons). When a mobile team becomes involved and they require support (medical staff, further patrols), they request this support via the control centre. The control centre then executes the appropriate measures. It subsequently coordinates further teams to the given position in the crowd. This occurs with the aid of coordinates on the map. For example, “Echo 5” according to the map, is the position which must be reached.
What does this look like in situ?
Unfortunately the grid is not marked on the real site. This means, that in the crowd the support team can only roughly imagine in which area they themselves are in and where the team searching the support is. Very often the team which requires the support is found too late or not at all. This costs valuable time and in the worst case costs lives. In an emergency situation we speak here of “collapsing time frames”! Through experience gathered at large events over the past few years such as open-air festivals or town celebrations it can be said that the “search time” of deployed aid personnel partly lay around 45 minutes- whereby in some cases seconds can be very decisive. Examples of this are strokes (19 seconds) or traumatic asphyxia (approx. 3 minutes). If an involved team requires direct reinforcements without the support of a control centre the same problem applies.
The following chart makes it clear how difficult it is for emergency personnel to orient themselves in masses of people. In every quadrant there are hundreds of people.
The regular range of visio0n for humans who are at the same height as each other is only about three rows of people. The results of this are: The team looking for aid can be 2m away and cannot be detected by the supporting team.
Description of the solution – BODYFLAG
A solution to the problem described above is a system of flags developed by Oliver Kastens (KOKO Consulting), the BODYFLAG. This is a mobile position marking system. This system can be carried by emergency personnel and if necessary can be used on site. A Flag which is attached to a 2m telescopic pole shows support teams the way through the crowds of people.
Why is the product like it is?
The BODYFLAG has been deployed at large events over approx. the last 1.5 years, tested and modified. Today’s version of the BODYFLAG has been proven in continuous use under unfavourable outdoor conditions. The BODYFLAG is also visible without a lighting system in the dark. It can, if required be sprayed with fluorescent paint producing light reflections.
Who is it suitable for? Paramedics, security services, police, schools, travel groups, gastronomy
Further information about the BODYFLAG here.
The flag system including belt bag can be purchased at www.allbuyone.com
