Drone saves two Australian swimmers in world first

[Kb27]

Two teenage boys were rescued by a brand new lifesaving drone in Australia while lifeguards were still training to use the device.

 

The swimmers, aged 15-17, had got into difficulties off the coast of Lennox Head, New South Wales (NSW).

 

A member of the public spotted them struggling in heavy surf about 700m (2,300ft) offshore.

 

Lifesavers instantly sent the drone to drop an inflatable rescue pod, and the pair made their way safely to shore.

John Barilaro, the state's deputy premier, praised the rescue as historic. "Never before has a drone fitted with a flotation device been used to rescue swimmers like this," he said.

 

Lifeguard supervisor Jai Sheridan was piloting the device when the alarm was raised. He described the experience as "unreal".

"The Little Ripper UAV certainly proved itself today, it is an amazingly efficient piece of lifesaving equipment and a delight to fly," he told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.

 

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-42731112

 

Now, this is the kind of news we like to see, drones are useful for.

[kdash]

good to see drones being used for wider applications 

[Watwheels]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-42731112

 

I watched the video provided by BBC.

Incredible. It took the drone 70secs to reach the struggling swimmers. If it were to be a lifeguard it would take them 6mins to reach them.

[meowc4tz]

Woah. The water looked quite rough. How did those boys swim so far out?

[Adrianli]

Good job to the pilot's aimming too.

[Kb27]

Drones that save lives, due to the speed.

 

Just imagine, in the future, there will be drone ambulance.

No need to get caught in traffic jam, where each minute delay may mean a difference between life and death.