For many people, drones still look like a toy that is rather annoying, but the truth is they have the potential to be more. This is evidenced by Everdrone, a Swedish company that develops technology related to drones with a strong focus on manufacturing autonomous drones useful in emergency response and health services. In December 2021, the Everdrone device became the first drone in part to save the lives of dying men.
The situation took place in the city of Sweden Trollhattan on December 9, 2021. A 71-year-old man suddenly collapsed due to a heart attack outside the hospital (OHCA) while shoveling the snow on his entrance. While drone alone can not save the man’s life, the procedure applied by Everdrone works with the local health care system ensures that the tools needed to save it are there when it is necessary.
The 71-year-old patient was discovered by a pedestrian who happened to be a medical doctor at a local hospital. Gather Mustafa Ali immediately began conducting CPR in patients. Emergency services are immediately called, but no one knows whether they will arrive in time if it is not for the fact that they send Everdrone devices that carry automatic external defibrillators (AED)
Only a few minutes can make a difference between life and death if a heart attack occurs. That’s why acting fast is very important. Everdrone detailed events on a blog post, where he also talked about his future mission and plan.
When Dr. Mustafa Ali found a dying person, the patient did not have a pulse and needed immediate resuscitation. Fortunately, before the ambulance arrived, Everdrone delivered the AED tool to the front door of the patient. This happened only three minutes after an observer warned local emergency services – long before the ambulance could make it to the location. Thanks to a quick response, the man lives today and is very grateful for the quick rescue he owed, in part, for Everdrone technology.
Everdrone Medical Air Delivery Service (Emade) currently operates medical drones at Västra Götaland from Sweden. The technology used in this fast drone shipments was developed in collaboration with the resuscitation center at Karolinska Institutet, SOS Alarm, and Västra Götaland region. The Emade program is still in the testing stage, but has seen the level of success. In the four-month trial, the service received 14 warnings of a cellared heart attack, which was responded to by sending drones 12 times. Eleven drones conveyed defibrillators, and seven of them arrived before emergency services.
Everdrone plans to continue the program and expand to achieve a larger population. At present, the Emade can be accessed by up to 200,000 Swedish residents. According to Everdrone, the next step includes expansion not only in Sweden but also in other European countries.