Study of Drone Delivery of Automated External Defibrillators for Emergency Response A Proof of Concept to Improve Cardiac Arrest Treatment in the UK

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.

Drone Delivery of Automated External Defibrillators to Lay Users (DAEDALUS): A Proof of Concept Study