Sweden testing drones to help save lives

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  The Center for Cardiac Research at Karolinska Institute have conducted test flights for the world’s first ambulance drone. Photo: Karolinska Institutet

• Faster than most ambulances, drones are being tested to help save lives for patients in cardiac arrest. Where every minute counts, the difference between waiting for an ambulance to arrive with the proper equipment or receiving a cardiac machine from a drone can mean the difference between life and death. The drones are able to reach remote locations like the many archipelagos surrounding Sweden in a quarter of the time it takes an ambulance. This means a 40% increase in the chance of survival. For all the positive results seen, there is still a major hurdle to pass before drones will be allowed to be used consistently. Right now, current legislation forbids the use of drones if they’re out of the eyesight of the pilot. That means new legislation must be approved before this technology can become standard life-saving practice.