Sonar Could Be Difference Between Life And Death On Sacramento Rivers
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - New sonar technology in Sacramento could be the difference between life and death on the river.
"It really increases our capability," said Pat Costamagna with the Sacramento Fire Department.
It happens every year; a trip to the river turns into tragedy, and it only takes seconds to get caught up in the current.
"Some people try to swim, swim across the river without a life jacket on," said Costamagna.
The average number of drowning deaths in Sacramento is 12 each year -- that's a number Costamagna hopes to decrease with the department's new side scan sonar device.
"It gives us the visual of what's going on underneath the water surface," Costamagna said.
CBS13 took a ride on the American River with Sacramento Fire Department engineers to find out exactly how the technology works. The sonar is attached to the side of the boat and transmits a wireless signal throughout the water.
"If there was anything floating by us, we would see the image, and it sends the frequency down," said fire engineer Rob Hodgson.
Different settings allow for different speeds so the device can detect things underwater at a crawl or a full speed. It also allows the fire engineers to scan deep holes and underwater caverns that are challenging for divers to explore.
"I have it to look 60 feet out to the side," Hodgson said. "And if we were to see a white blip or something, they would investigate it further."
A body that's nearby can be detected in just seconds. Before getting the device, they'd have to wait for Sacramento County recovery divers to arrive at the scene. But in a water emergency, every second is crucial so oftentimes there isn't a moment to lose.
"So what this will do is enable us to immediately respond and start those search operations," Costamagna said.
From his perspective, the new technology could mean the difference between recovering a body and saving a life.
"Any amount of time we can save to get the victim out of the water and begin our rescue efforts once they're on the boat increases their chance of survival," he said.
The money for the technology comes from a state homeland security grant. With a permanent dock at River Park, the sonar technology is ready to be used 24 hours a day.
