GitHub - skorotkiewicz/signal-in-the-dark: What is more effective? A 3D simulator of finding someone in the dark – shine the light on yourself or on them?

A one-page Three.js experiment comparing two simplified strategies:

Sweep searchlight: the rescuer moves through an expanding search pattern and must illuminate the missing person. Raise beacon: the rescuer stays put while a mobile missing person tries to recognize and approach an omnidirectional light.

Run cd signal-in-the-dark python3 -m http.server 8080 Open http://localhost:8080. The page imports Three.js from a pinned CDN URL, so the first load needs internet access. Experiment Use the presets first:

Mobile hiker usually favors the beacon. Injured makes the stationary beacon ineffective because the missing person cannot approach it. Dense forest increases line-of-sight occlusion and can produce mixed results.

Run the Monte Carlo comparison after each change. Both strategies receive the same random worlds and starting positions. Important limitation This is a conceptual toy model, not validated search-and-rescue guidance. It intentionally isolates a few variables and omits weather, terrain elevation, batteries, sound, radios, group behavior, panic, injuries, and official rescue protocols.