FIREFIGHTERS have been undergoing extensive training with advanced technology to help locate trapped victims.

Crews from Weymouth fire station's technical rescue team have been training with a piece of equipment called a Delsar Life Detector.

The Delsar Life Detector provides seismic and acoustic sensors designed to detect and locate signs of a casualties presence in the voids of a collapsed building or similar entrapment situations.

It follows the deaths in 2012 of Charlotte Blackman, 22, in a cliff fall at Burton Bradstock and Rosemary Snell, 67, and Michael Rolfe, 72 who were buried alive in the Beaminster Tunnel.

In the grounds of Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre on Knightsdale Road there is a subterranean tunnel system which is ideal for the training.

On the day on the training one of the firefighters entered the tunnel and once in position made a faint tapping noise.

The rest of the team then used four sensors, which pick up the seismic vibrations caused by the tapping, to narrow down and pinpoint his position to within one metre.

The team then used their technical search camera to find the casualty and make contact with him before a member went into the tunnel to rescue him.

Martin Ryan, crew manager said:"We listen to the four sensors and from the reading we get from them we are able to pinpoint where that person is trapped.

"We also used gas monitors and pump oxygen into the tunnel to give the casualty the best possible chance.

"I can't say enough how grateful we are for the use of the tunnels; it is perfect for our confined space training."

Giving a safety warning, a spokesman for DFRS said: "Rock falls can happen at any time of the year, therefore it is important to be stay safe when near cliffs.

"Landslides and rock falls are more likely to happen after heavy rainfall or storms.

"There is always a small element of risk when visiting any coast with cliffs, so please adhere to messages and warning signs as they will advise you about specific hazards in that location.

"If you encounter a new, unreported landslide, turn around rather than attempt to cross broken and disturbed ground.

"In the case of an emergency always call 999.

"Our website contains valuable safety advice for everyone - for both outdoors and indoors - please take time to read the guidance and stay safe this summer."