Flying ambulance AED drone to be launched

Flying ambulance AED droneAutomatic external defibrillators (AEDs) are now a common sight at airports and sports venues, but they’re nowhere near to being ubiquitous.

A Dutch student has revealed a prototype first aid ‘ambulance drone’, a flying defibrillator able to reach heart attack victims within precious life-saving minutes. Developed by engineering graduate Alec Momont, it can fly at speeds of up to 60mph.

Flying ambulance AED drone

Painted in emergency services yellow and driven by six propellers, this flying ambulance AED drone can carry a four kilogramme load – in this case a defibrillator. The communication channel for video and audio means those attending at the scene can communicate with emergency operators who can provide instructions, improving the quality of the care.

“In the EU around 800,000 people per year suffer from a cardiac arrest, an upsetting number considering that only eight per cent survives this incident,” Momont said.

One of the most important considerations in emergency medical treatment is response time. This drone can be controlled by a paramedic in response to an emergency call. Using GPS the operator flies the drone to the scene at 60mph. At the scene the operator, using the drone’s cameras and speakers, gives personalized instructions to people near the victim. The defibrillator itself operates automatically once it is placed on the victim’s chest.

The drones will cost around £11,800 per unit, which seems steep until you consider that just one could save many lives. Momont has already had interest from the medical sector and is now looking for funding to continue the development of his project.

An autonomous drone has helped to save the life of a 71-year-old man who was suffering a cardiac arrest.

The drone delivered a defibrillator to a doctor helping the man, who became ill while shovelling snow outside his house in Trollhattan, Sweden.

The man, who didn’t wish to be named, told the BBC it was “fantastic” that it arrived so quickly.

The company behind the drone says it meant that defibrillation could begin before the arrival of an ambulance.

Everdrone says it took just over three minutes from the alarm being raised until the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was delivered.

For the full story from the BBC see Drone helps save cardiac arrest patient in Sweden