Drones Could Become Our Flying Lifesavers

Drones have developed fast in the last 3 years and now they can even become the fastest first responders in the UK.

Researchers at the University of Warwick, in collaboration with the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust and drone specialists SkyBound, have tested a system where drones deliver Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) directly to the scene of a cardiac emergency.

In the UK there are more than 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) annually, but fewer than 10 percent of people survive. Early CPR and AED use can at least double the chance of survival.

AEDs are critical because they can restart the heart when used quickly. The devices are designed for public use and are safe even without training.

But during a crisis, bystanders often struggle to find one nearby. Ambulance crews carry defibrillators, but in remote or rural areas, delays are common.

This is where drones may step in. By flying directly to the patient, they could cut response times dramatically.

Chief Investigator Dr Christopher Smith from the University of Warwick explained: "Ambulance services work as swiftly as possible to get to patients who have suffered cardiac arrests. However, it can sometimes be difficult to get there quickly. AEDs can be used by members of the public before the ambulance gets there, but this rarely happens. We’ve built a drone system to deliver defibrillators to people having cardiac arrest which could help save lives."

The team ran emergency simulations in remote countryside locations, areas where ambulances often face delays due to challenging terrain or distance.

In these trials, a DJI M300 drone carried a defibrillator in response to a simulated 999 call. The aircraft flew long distances, maintained contact with emergency services, and reached the target site without issue.

Dr Smith said: "We have successfully demonstrated that drones can safely fly long distances with a defibrillator attached and maintain real-time communications with emergency services during the 999 call. We are in a position where we could operationalise this system and use it for real emergencies across the UK soon."

The study recruited 11 participants to test how drones could be integrated into emergency response.

Researchers observed real-time communication between the drone pilot, the 999 call handler, and a public bystander. They monitored how participants interacted and timed how quickly the simulated cardiac arrest patient received help.

The prospect is significant. As per the studies, early CPR and access to an AED can double a person’s chance of survival.

But in many emergencies, minutes are lost waiting for ambulances to arrive. Drones could deliver the vital equipment before paramedics are even on scene, buying precious time.

But once the drone arrived, delays were noted. It took a further 4.35 minutes before a shock was delivered to the simulated patient. Hands-off CPR time reached 2.32 minutes, although only 0.16 minutes of this was spent retrieving the AED itself.

Researchers concluded that while bystanders engaged well with the drone delivery, they struggled to use the AED.

This highlights the need for more support from call handlers and clearer guidance for the public. The next step will be securing funding for larger studies to confirm these findings and assess whether the system can be rolled out across the NHS.