Vehicle Search And Rescue System

A search and rescue system comprising:

• a first control module for a first vehicle, the first control module configured to identify when the first vehicle is in a distressed situation based on inputs received from a vehicle status sensor, and generate an emergency message including information regarding the distressed situation;
• a first transmitter for the first vehicle that transmits the emergency message by way of a first antenna;
• and
• a second control module for a second vehicle that receives the emergency message by way of a second receiver for the second vehicle, the second control module relays the emergency message to at least one of a third vehicle and road-side equipment;
• wherein from the at least one of the third vehicle and road-side equipment the emergency message is relayed to an emergency assistance entity;
• wherein the first antenna is a vertically polarized, omni-directional antenna;
• and
• wherein the system further comprises a second antenna for the second vehicle, the second antenna is a bi-directional antenna that can be oriented in a plurality of different directions, including downward to communicate with the first antenna when the first vehicle is below the second vehicle.