Case Study: Outback traveling

John Kinyua was traveling in the outback (North Eastern region) of Kenya on 9th December 2006 when he got caught in a flash flood. His car was partially submerged in the muddy water and the tyres stuck due to the mud. He was not certain of his location being surrounded by only the bush with no sign of human life. There was the general danger of the surrounding wild and as vehicles don’t frequent this trail there was no knowing when someone would report the flooded road or sight John and assist him.
Primary Requirements
John needed a device that he could maintain constant, open communication channels and quickly and accurately coordinate an emergency response.
need

John needed a lightweight, portable communication device that would offer effective, dynamic communication solutions whilst he was in North Eastern.

voice solution

John had equipped himself with a Thuraya SO-2510 satellite phone and he was able to instantly communicate his situation and call for immediate assistance.

He was also able to call out and communicate his journey’s delay and constantly update everyone on the progress of the situation.

need

John found he was cut off from the “outside world” activities hence he was unable to know of the upcoming flash floods. He needed a means to be accessing data when outback.

data solution

His Thuraya SO-2510 enabled him to access instant weather and news updates via the internet on the region he was in and heading to.

He could email pictures of the flood to visually communicate the exact magnitude of the situation.

need

He realized that by having an effective tracking device, he could be easily located and quickly rescued if he was caught in such a predicament.

tracking solution

As his phone has GPS, he was able to establish his exact position and forward it to the rescue team enabling a fast rescue mission

 

 

 

 

 

Quick car rescue

Sally Grant was traveling in Samburu when she accidentally took the wrong route. She run straight into a river and even with the assistance of neighboring Samburu men, the car couldn’t be rescued. Everyone tried to phone for assistance but there was no network coverage. Equipped with her Thuraya SO-2510 satellite phone, Sally was able to call into the city for a car track-rescue team and inform people of her situation and delay.