Simulation Game: Crisis Management-Chapter 329 - 162: Tactical Underwater Rescue

If the accounts of those three geological technicians are accurate, then both ministers should have always been inside the building before the flood erupted.

There are only two reasons for their disappearance:

One possibility is that they were swept away by the flood in a panic escape, which means we’ll have to wait for the waters to recede and search for bodies in the downstream accumulation area;

The other possibility is that they tried to escape downwards, and like the three geological technicians, were trapped inside the building. Based on the descriptions from the three, it seems there might still be quite a few staff within the building.

That’s why Gu Ji is preparing for underwater rescue operations.

However, Fatima frowned.

"Vidi, even if the chief minister and the accompanying secretary don’t know anything, wouldn’t the Minister of Water Resources know about flood survival and self-rescue knowledge?"

"That’s uncertain, and we’re not entirely focused on finding the two ministers either."

Gu Ji shrugged and then commanded the fleet to approach the building.

The height of a 500KV high-voltage pole is at least 12 meters, and the three government personnel clinging to the top indicate that the water level has already exceeded ten meters.

In fact, the third floor of the building is indeed partially submerged.

To prevent accidents, he first tied a safety rope around himself, then replaced the rope loop at the top of the rescue telescopic pole with an iron hook, smashed the glass, hooked the window frame edge, and after ensuring it was stable, he grabbed it with both hands, braced his feet against the wall, pushed off forcefully, and easily flipped inside.

This should be an executive office, with water up to about his calves.

He opened the door, secured the safety rope to a hydrant in the hallway, and glanced at the building’s fire safety structure map. Only after the rope was lowered did Fatima and eight or nine rescue personnel climb inside with their equipment.

"Fatima, you take some people to check the conference room, report any issues immediately; Singer, you guys bring the equipment and come with me to the central stairway!"

"Yes!"

The group responded in unison and split into teams for action.

Gu Ji pressed against the wall, cautiously approaching the corner, reminding Singer and the three others that because the water had flooded the building, the water in the hallway and stairwell appeared as a single plane on the surface. However, without caution, one more step could lead to falling into the water and hitting the stairs. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Diving suit, walkie-talkie, sonar detection."

Gu Ji gestured for the rescuers behind him to bring out all the equipment.

The so-called underwater diving rescue technique involves rescuers using various technological methods to first detect and determine the location of people, vehicles, important items, etc., in the water, after which divers enter the water to retrieve underwater objects and personnel.

Because natural water bodies are often not as clear as artificial swimming pools, the environment is very complex, with murky water, various undercurrents, reefs, aquatic plants, crevices, etc., posing risks from mild injuries to getting lost and trapped.

Therefore, to ensure safety, a thorough survey of the water body must be conducted before diving rescue, using high-precision and advanced rescue equipment like ROV underwater robots and sonar detection.

Pradan provided the 14th team with a multibeam sonar detector, powered by a mobile power source, with a 720KHz sonar frequency, equipped with a wireless detector, built-in GPS, and a wireless connection range of up to 100 meters, with a scanning depth of up to 80 meters.

Gu Ji quickly removed his waterproof rescue coat, donned a personal diving suit, and equipped himself with bone conduction headphones, a safety rope, and underwater demolition tools.

On the other side, the rescue technicians also completed the calibration of the sonar equipment.

Sonar detection works by converting electrical signals into sound signals via a transducer, which are then emitted into the water. When these sound signals encounter targets like people or walls in the water, they get reflected back and are converted into electrical signals by the transducer again.

He first connected the detector with a fishing line, lowered it gradually, and after activation, the bottom of the color screen displayed a horizontally scrolling pattern akin to a 3D map. The image showed colors like blue, yellow, and green, representing the sonar echo image colors, which were reconstructed by a chip algorithm into a 3D image.

Gu Ji took a glance at the screen; the display was quite blurry, much like a beginner’s 3D modeling apprentice’s work—twisted and misaligned, with numerous specks in the space presumably from mud chunks or debris in the water. Fortunately, after referencing the building’s fire safety diagram and matching the walls, he gradually became more certain.

So he donned the breathing mask and took the High-Power Flashlight.

"Ready, three, two, one! Action!"

Splash!

Unlike regular rescue divers, Gu Ji’s movements underwater were very subtle, along with an equally minimal sound. After entering the water, he initially felt a sensation of warm coolness enveloping his body, his face mask ahead in a murky view with visibility less than half a meter. He gently moved his feet to continue downward; at this point, his ears began to feel discomfort similar to flying on a plane, resulting from ear cavity pressure changes due to water pressure, which could be quickly alleviated by swallowing and holding breath more frequently.

Just after swallowing, voices came through the bone conduction headphones from the third-floor sonar technician:

"Careful, a large object is approaching on your right side; the system identifies it as a person!"

Due to some delay in sonar detection, by the time the technician completed this message, a silhouette had already rushed straight towards Gu Ji and Singer, closing in to about half a meter, revealing a pale-skinned Indian male.

Having been submerged for over four hours, his body had begun swelling and deforming, particularly the hands and feet with skin completely wrinkled, resembling water-damaged leather. The facial features were even more terrifying, with eyes protruding outward and cheeks puffed as if about to burst from the body.