Auto Tracking Teams in SARTopo

The Cave and Technical Rescue Team spent this last weekend executing a land navigation training. Set up was the same as most any other team in the county; maps, makeshift command posts, plotting coordinates, and of course - incoherent radio traffic. The only difference was our experiment with SARTopo.com’s additional access features.

Granting additional access to individuals in the field allowed us to track our teams in real time. The good news is that it worked well. The great news is that it wasn’t hard to do! In short, the command post can generate the additional access link and a QR code with just a few clicks, and from there any team member with the link or a smart phone could access the tracking map. Once a team member is linked to the map, any tracks they record, or waypoints they create will be automatically updated on the host map. The benefits of such a system include:

1. Reduced radio traffic, when the CP is aware of your coordinates without having to ask.
2. In field coordination, due to your ability to see other teams on the shared map via your mobile device.
3. Conspicuous observation of assignment execution and progress for the command post, facilitating on the spot planning.
4. Reduced post operation down time, from not having to download tracks from individual searchers devices.

All that being said, there are some issues to address. The first of all being cellular service. As you may have guessed already, for this system to function as exceptionally as described, you need to have cell service. However, this isn’t a total deal breaker. Most importantly, you need service somewhere near the command post to link to the map. From there, lack of cell service only prohibits instant tracking. Anytime your phone contacts service it will upload what it can. This still allows you to benefit from most of the advantages listed. Next would be phone battery life. Tracking with your phone, from any app, can eat up your battery. Teams should be prepared with external batteries to keep phones going through an entire operational period. You must have downloaded the sartopo app. Once in the app, it is easy to set waypoints and start tracking, but as with anything, there is certainly a small learning curve.

Check out this document for some set-up instructions, and try it with your own team.