The automatic system to screen visitors of the Pico Mountain was decisive for the effectiveness of the rescue carried out by the Madalena Volunteer Firefighters last weekend, following an accident which occurred in that mountain, the highest of Portugal.
The injured visitor triggered the alarm device which, in turn, automatically transmitted his location to the firefighters, thus enabling the rapid mobilisation of the rescue team, reaching the victim.
Regarding this rescue, it is estimated that a third of the time which is usually required for this rescue operation was saved. The visitor, who received the appropriate medical care, is now recovering.
This automatic screening system, whose base was implemented at the Casa da Montanha do Pico by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea, is composed by a small box, similar to a common match box in which a GPS system is incorporated, in order to determine the position, and by a GPRS transmitter for data transmission.
In case of accident, the victim may press a button that will automatically transmit a SOS signal or send voice messages for the emergency number.
A screening device is connected to a screen at the Casa da Montanha, which shows in real time the position of visitors who are using this system.