(AUSTRALIA)
Drones were used today to save two teenagers caught in a ‘dangerous swell’ in waters off New South Wales.
Surf Life Saving New South Wales reported that the boys were safe after being rescued with the help of drones fitted out with flotation devices.
The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and rescue pod that helped save the youngsters was made by the Westpac Little Ripper Lifesaver company, which Innovators Magazine featured last April in a story about drones being used to spot killer sharks.
Jai Sheridan was the lifeguard piloting the drones at Lennox Head today.
He told Surf Life Saving New South Wales: “The Little Ripper UAV certainly proved itself today it is an amazingly efficient piece of lifesaving equipment and a delight to fly. I was able to launch it, fly it to the location, and drop the pod all in about one to two minutes. On a normal day that would have taken our lifeguards a few minutes longer to reach the members of the public.”
https://twitter.com/slsnsw/status/953863845033885696
