EXPLORING & DESIGNING IN THE CONTEXT OF SEARCH AND RESCUE

Abstract

In the face of extreme weather and terrain, Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers face a growing challenge of rapid changes in environmental conditions. This demands that rescuers manage layered demands to prevent accidents and save lives. The volunteer-based work of ICE-SAR (Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue) is constantly balancing risks and rewards with each operation. With a community of 5000+ volunteers, their'workforce' compares to the marine industry, energy sector and tourism companies in Iceland. With scale, they can be involved in research and development of technical personal protective equipment (PPE). Their circumstances are valued for beta-testing equipment in different rescue specialty group trainings, including mountain rescue, marine rescue and technical teams. In the SAR context design, engineering and technology transfer happen in real-time. Designing for complex systems calls for the right know-how and creativity, coupled with extensive knowledge, practice and field testing. Industry partners contribute further expertise, funding and equipment. This paper presents an innovative model for design and engineering education with lessons learned from an innovative Technology Transfer Design Sprint that took place simultaneously in-the-field, in studio and online. Bringing user-centred design to this context with “risk-familiar users” resulted in a vibrant opportunity for hybrid (soft/hard) design education. Introducing students to these users, who are trained to deal with unknowns and high-risk situations, can engage and prepare them to design inclusive, relevant and resilient solutions. Rapid and risk-receptive design processes are needed for adapting to the demand of SAR users, or better said: its “rescuesers”.