Drones are delivering FRED easyport defibrillators

The Swedish drone developer Everdrone launches a drone system that carries AEDs to the sites of an intervention. SCHILLER’s pocket defibrillator FRED easyport plays an important role.

Everdrone, based near Gothenburg, specializes in the development of software and visual navigation systems for autonomous drones. The company is focused on civil applications for commercial drones. The main areas of application are healthcare and emergency services. Together with Sweden’s national emergency dispatch organisation SOS Alarm Sverige AB and the Center for Resuscitation science at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Everdrone has launched an initial study for a drone system that carries automated external defibrillators (AED) to the sites of an intervention. The AED used is the FRED easyport from SCHILLER.

The study started in June 2020 and will continue until the end of September 2020. During this time, three drone systems will be placed at defined locations to immediately respond to incoming 112 emergency calls within a radius of six kilometres. When the drone arrives on the site of an intervention, the defibrillator FRED easyport is lowered to the ground while the drone remains hovering at a height of 30 meters. This method eliminates various risks associated with landing a drone close to people.
Everdrone has relied on defibrillators from SCHILLER from the very beginning. The first pocket defibrillator from SCHILLER impresses with its outstanding weight of only 490 g and its small size combined with greatest functionality. The robust FRED easyport is packed in a small case and survives the drop from 30 meters of height without problems.

During a cardiac arrest, the survival probability decreases by about 10 % every minute. If the victim is unconscious and is not breathing normally, chest compressions and rescue breaths (CPR) need to be performed immediately. CPR doubles the survival rate and the early use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can lead to survival rates of up to 75% in case of cardiac arrests.

Every minute counts. In the event of cardiac arrest, the drone is dispatched at the same time as the ambulance. It is likely that the drone will arrive at the scene before the ambulance does. This has the advantage that the lay responders can initiate life-saving measures while waiting for professional medical care. The operators instruct the lay rescuers on site by telephone until the drone and later the ambulance arrives.