TIC Thermal Camera Head

TIC Thermal Imaging Camera Head

The TIC device is a thermal imaging victim location camera (also called an "optical instrument") designed to locate the heat signature of a living victim trapped in a confined space of a collapsed building. The TIC (thermal imaging camera) head gives valuable aid to SAR teams by using an infrared sensor to detect and display the hottest points in a confined space.

It dramatically speeds up victim location by identifying body heat. Unlike IR LED technology that illuminates a target area using infrared light (like a flashlight), LEADER uses a thermal sensor to detect heat emitted from objects between 32°F and 248°F. A victim will still be visible even if covered in dust, blankets, or foliage. This allows USAR teams to identify the victim's location and, if necessary, switch to a conventional color camera for visual confirmation.

The TIC head can swivel through 225°, enabling rapid and efficient victim detection in confined spaces. It detects heat signatures within the 32°F to 248°F range using a sensor resolution of 160 x 120 pixels. Equipped with a built-in microphone and speaker, the TIC allows rescuers to communicate directly with victims to assess their condition. The lens is protected by scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and the entire head is encased in a flexible impact-absorbing membrane to protect the swivel joint. Once plugged, the camera is waterproof to a depth of approximately 6.5 feet (2 meters), making it suitable for damp environments or shallow underwater searches.

The detachable camera head can be connected to various extensions depending on operational needs:

• 12-foot (3.7-meter) telescopic carbon fiber pole for elevated inspections
• 82-foot (25-meter) cable
• 295-foot (90-meter) extension lead on a reel
• Two 295-foot (90-meter) leads (for a total of 590 feet) to inspect wells, caves, or deep crevices