We propose the continuous wavelet transform for non-stationary vibration measurement by distributed vibration sensor based on phase optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR). The continuous wavelet transform approach can give simultaneously the frequency and time information of the vibration event. Frequency evolution is obtained by the wavelet ridge detection method from the scalogram of the continuous wavelet transform. In addition, a novel signal processing algorithm based on the global wavelet spectrum is used to determine the location of vibration. Distributed vibration measurements of 500Hz and 500Hz to 1kHz sweep events over 20 cm fiber length are demonstrated using a single mode fiber. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America