why aren't the searchers on mt hood using thermal viewers and sights to find the other two missing climbers?

Question

using an mx-1a thermal viewer made by nvec or an m-98a1 javelin missile system command launch unit made by raytheon lockheed could help them find the climbers faster

they could use a AN/ PAS-13 series thermal sight most of these are a higher generation sight than the fire department ones that you are familiar with the national guard should have them

the thermals pick up a half degree temperature difference even dead their clothing would reflect the heat absorption from the sunlight

I am an infantry NCO in the US army and i know my weapons and sights and have been deployed to afghanistan and iraq I know that they will perform in that climate

Answer 1

They were, and nothing showed up. Of course, that's a bad sign for the two fellows still up there.

Answer 2

can u be sure they will work in that environment- or if they can detect body heat in snow caves?

if so, are these systems available to the rescuers? if not how soon could they be ordered? that is assuming that the thermal scanners can be fitted on their aircraft (this is the best way to search large areas so i am gonna assume it is to be attatched to the aircraft). if it cannot be fitted, can a fitted aircraft be flown to the site to conduct the search in time?

if not on the aircraft, can the rescuers get it on time? there is little point if it is gonna take another week to get it in... they might not have that time..

logistics, is the important factor here... at least one would hope its the case- otherwise its just cost- and the lives of the 3 climbers aren't worth it in the rescuer's eyes.

Answer 3

good idea, but even with Thermal Enhancement, a snow covered body that has 6 layers of clothes is quite hard to detect under 1 foot of snow.
And if it says DoD on it, Civillians are not allowed to use it. (unless a Presidential order is granted)

Answer 4

The search teams were indeed using some kind of thermal imaging scanners. It's just that nothing registered on the scanners.

Answer 5

If the people are frozen to death, then using thermal viewers wouldn't do much good, would it?

Answer 6

They may not have equipment as sophisticated as you are using. Most of the effort is being funded by tax dollars.

Answer 7

because they can't take um to the cold climates because it will mess up the lenses

Answer 8

we are not that rich on mt hood yet.

Answer 9

it would pick up warm-blooded animals wouldn't it?

Answer 10

because the themal imaging people think they can scan dead people??????????