Karttahimmeli

Karttahimmeli — Map-Based Search & Rescue Situational Awareness When every minute counts, everyone needs to see the same picture. Karttahimmeli turns any smartphone into a shared operational map. Search teams, dog handlers, command staff, and support units all mark locations, share live GPS tracks, and log observations on the same map in real time — no radio relay, no "somewhere near the big rock," no lost notes when someone leaves the operation. WHY IT MATTERS Verbal location reports are slow and easy to misread. A single misheard grid reference, or a moment of confirmation bias under time pressure, can cost hours — or a life. Karttahimmeli keeps every marking, track, and observation in one shared record that survives shift changes and stays with the operation, not with one person's phone. KEY FEATURES • Real-time team map — see every member's live position and movement trail • Draw markers, lines, and areas — mark search zones, finds, hazards, and assignments; everyone sees updates instantly • Observation log — a running, searchable record of everything reported during the operation • GPS track history — review where each team has already searched • Works offline — map tiles cache automatically as you browse, so the app keeps working without signal in the field; queued locations and markings sync once connection returns • National topographic and aerial maps for 20+ countries, switching automatically between road, terrain, orienteering-style laser-contour, and aerial imagery as you zoom • Property boundaries, nautical charts, and address maps where available • Navigation mode — the map rotates with your heading and centers on your position, hands-free • 50 m coordinate grid — built for event first aid and security teams to report locations by simple grid cell (e.g. "B7") • Two-part team/member IDs, quick team shortcuts, and print-ready maps for briefings WHO IT'S FOR • Search and rescue teams and dog handlers • Incident command and planning staff • Event first aid cover and roving medical teams • Event security and stewarding staff Karttahimmeli isn't a personal map app — it's shared infrastructure for the whole operation. The more people using the same operation, the better the picture for everyone, including the teams and aircraft depending on it. Also available for larger screens at karttahimmeli.netlify.app — ideal for command posts and planners.