Large areas must be searched to save people from smoke-filled underground transport systems (UTS). The International Fire Academy recommends the use of search sticks, which it has developed especially for search and rescue.
Squat, squat, squat...
Getting down on your knees and searching the area for people with our hands or an axe stick: that's how we had learned it once, and that's how it had worked in small rooms. With large areas, such as in tunnels or underground car parks, it becomes clear after just a few squats: It is far too exhausting. You use far too much breathing air. And it also takes far too long to be able to use the rescue window realistically. So a new method had to be found. What started with hazel rods, we have developed with the support of visually impaired people. We asked them what to do best when you don't see anything. Their answer: Just use white canes! Together we further developed the search stick for the special requirements of fire services.