Uncrewed aircraft can drop floating rescue equipment to the sea
After surfing over the coast of New South Wales, two survivors swam to shore safely when a local lifeguard used a drone to give them a floating rescue device on board.
Rescue workers in New South Wales state of Australia have tested a new rescue plane called the Westpac Little Ripper. We equipped to aircraft with a camera and pattern recognition software, which one day could detect sharks and warn swimmers at sea more quickly. And these features have been developed.
In the meantime, local rescuers have been trained on how to use drones to check coastline surveillance and to release emergency equipment such as inflatable and horn devices. Using cameras connected from flying equipment, rescue supervisor Jai Sheridan could identify swimmers, then use drones to drop them a floating device.
He told the Sydney Morning Herald: “I was able to launch it, fly to the location, and drop all the rescue equipment in about one to two minutes. On a normal day, our rescue workers have been able to reach the victim takes several minutes more”.
With devices floating in their hands after release, both of them could back to the shore. This incredible rescue has opened up a new field that drone technology can be useful, helping in emergencies such as in an earthquake, storm, or anywhere with people in need emergency help.