SEIPS 2.0: a human factors framework for studying and improving the work of healthcare professionals and patients.
Richard J Holden, Pascale Carayon, Ayse P Gurses...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24088063Actively Recruiting
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
ID07430813
Drone Delivery of Automated External Defibrillators to Lay Users (DAEDALUS): A Proof of Concept Study
Led by University of Surrey · Updated on 2026-02-24
36
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
12 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Surrey
Lead Sponsor
K
Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are exploring how drones can be used to deliver Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) quickly to people experiencing cardiac arrest outside of hospitals. The study focuses on designing and testing a system that integrates drone delivery with emergency services in the UK, including coordination with ambulance dispatch, air traffic control, and drone operators. This is important because fast access to AEDs can significantly improve survival rates, but current response times are often too slow, especially in residential areas. The study has two main parts. First, it develops and tests protocols for drone-based AED delivery through simulated emergency scenarios involving lay responders using training manikins. These simulations include a series of steps from making a 999 call to the drone delivering the AED, which is lowered by a winch system for the responder to use. The second part involves interviewing people who have experienced or witnessed cardiac arrests and members of the public to understand their views and concerns about drone AED delivery. The project works closely with UK aviation and emergency services to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. Participants in the simulation take part in four separate days of testing, with detailed recordings and observations collected on communication, timing, and usability of the system. Data include audio and video recordings, dispatch logs, and researcher notes. Interviews last about 45 minutes to an hour and explore attitudes toward the technology. The primary outcome is to produce tested protocols for drone AED delivery in the UK. Findings will be shared widely through reports, articles, and public events. The study runs until early 2027, with ongoing public involvement throughout.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Drone Delivery of Automated External Defibrillators to Lay Users (DAEDALUS): A Proof of Concept Study
Who Can Participate
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adults aged 18 years and older
- Able to understand verbal explanations given in English
- Physically able to perform CPR and apply a defibrillator to a training manikin
- Participants from diverse backgrounds including those with and without out-of-hospital cardiac arrest experience
- Able to understand verbal or written information given in English
You will not qualify if you...
- Under 18 years of age
- Unable to perform CPR
- Severe cognitive impairments
- Pregnant individuals
- Healthcare professionals
- Unable to understand verbal English sufficiently
- Unable to provide informed consent
- Experiencing severe psychological distress related to cardiac arrest events
- Unable to understand or speak verbal or written information given in English
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or virtual)
Simulation Trials
Duration - 4 months
Participants take part in simulated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest scenarios to test drone-delivered Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and refine operational protocols.
4 simulation days, each with 4 simulations
Simulation Day Focus Groups
Duration - 4 months concurrent with simulation days
Participants involved in simulation days provide feedback and discuss challenges and improvements in focus groups held after each simulation day.
4 focus group sessions (hybrid online and in-person)
Qualitative Interview Study
Duration - Approximately 4 months concurrent with simulation trials
Participants, including members of the public and individuals with or without cardiac arrest experience, engage in interviews exploring perceptions and acceptability of drone-delivered AEDs.
15 to 20 interviews, each lasting 45 minutes to 1 hour
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Surrey
Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom, GU2 7XH
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
S
Scott Munro, PhD
A
Angela Heeler, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
6
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Published Research Related To This Trial
Differences between out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in residential and public locations and implications for public-access defibrillation.
Fredrik Folke, Gunnar H Gislason, Freddy K Lippert...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20660807Public access defibrillation remains out of reach for most victims of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest.
Charles D Deakin, Elizabeth Shewry, Huon H Gray
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24553390Three-year trends in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest across the world: Second report from the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR).
Chika Nishiyama, Tekeyuki Kiguchi, Masashi Okubo...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36868553The Effects of Public Access Defibrillation on Survival After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies.
Josefine S Bækgaard, Søren Viereck, Thea Palsgaard Møller...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28687709European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021: Epidemiology of cardiac arrest in Europe.
Jan-Thorsten Gräsner, Johan Herlitz, Ingvild B M Tjelmeland...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33773833European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation 2015: Section 2. Adult basic life support and automated external defibrillation.
Gavin D Perkins, Anthony J Handley, Rudolph W Koster...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26477420Impact of Bystander Automated External Defibrillator Use on Survival and Functional Outcomes in Shockable Observed Public Cardiac Arrests.
Ross A Pollack, Siobhan P Brown, Thomas Rea...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29483086Survival after application of automatic external defibrillators before arrival of the emergency medical system: evaluation in the resuscitation outcomes consortium population of 21 million.
Myron L Weisfeldt, Colleen M Sitlani, Joseph P Ornato...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20394876