Case Study
Tees River Rescue Case Study: Putting technology out on the water

Tees River Rescue Case Study: Putting technology out on the water

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Man using rugged tablet on a boat

Customer: Robert Lynas
Company: Tee’s River Rescue
Industry: Charity
Publish Date: 17 April 2023

Tees River Rescue is a charity organisation that operates independently, and it is based on the River Tees in the North East of England. The primary function of the charity is to provide search and rescue services, which involve patrolling the river during peak times throughout the year. The organisation also provides education, support and reassurance for river users.

The charity is run by a group of volunteers who carry out various activities to ensure the safety of those using the river. In 2021, the charity searched the river and its banks for missing people, injured animals, damaged or sinking boats, and missing paddle boarders.

The Challenge

Tees River Rescue needed a reliable and robust communication device that could support long-range communication and provide consistent updates on search efforts. When deploying a rescue boat on a long stretch of the river, rescuers are often out of radio range and unable to receive updates on any changes to the search plans. In the past, phones were used, but due to the nature of the rescue, it became apparent that a better device was needed, according to Robert Lynas, the volunteer lead at Tees River Rescue.

Robert Lynas further explained that the rescue team required a rugged tablet with a large screen, which would enable rescuers to easily send messages, read maps, and communicate effectively. The device also needed to work through difficult terrain, protect against water ingress, and have a good battery life to support the team’s efforts during a rescue operation.

“The team needed a rugged tablet with a big screen where rescuers could easily send messages, read maps, and communicate. We also needed a device that would work through difficult terrain, protect from water ingress, and have a good battery life.”

Evaluation

Following a comprehensive assessment of Tees River Rescue’s needs, Conker proposed the SX82 2D rugged 8-inch Android tablet. The device features an 8-inch screen with a Toughened Capacitive Touch Screen, making it easy for volunteers to capture and view images in areas where a water-resistant device is essential. It also has a robust 9,800mAh, 3.8V battery that can last for up to 29 hours, which is crucial for extended periods spent on the boat.

Solution

  • The Conker SX82 is a rugged 8-inch Android tablet that offers a durable design, long battery life, and powerful performance for use in demanding environments.
  • The powerful 9800 mAh battery was invaluable, lasting for long hours of use. Given that volunteers often spend extended periods on the boat, the device’s impressive battery life of 29 hours was ideal.
  • The device has an IP67 rating, which means that its water resistance allowed users to utilise the device in wet or exposed areas. This enabled the device to function without any breakdown or failure even when exposed to water.
  • The 8-inch display was the perfect size for capturing images.

“The SX82  provided the team all the support that was needed for taking videos, images, reporting incidents, tracking tides, communications and much more.” continues Lynas manager at Tees River Rescue.

Conclusion

Finally, the SX82 met all the requirements of Tees River Rescue.

“It is going to be difficult to not have Conker SX82 now.” he added “this device has opened up a world of options for us.” he concludes.

“The Conker SX82 proved to be the best solution for us at Tees River Rescue. This device offers a 9800 mAh battery, powerful enough to last long hours of use on the boat. It also comes with an 8-inch screen and IP65 rating which means it is waterproof and drop-proof.”

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Conal McGuirk

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