Drones Now Deliver AEDs During Real 911 Calls in First-of-Its-Kind U.S. Study
Contact
DURHAM and CLEMMONS, N.C. – Every minute counts when someone’s heart stops. In the U.S., more than 350,000 people suffer cardiac arrest each year, and fewer than 10% survive. Most of these emergencies happen at home, far from lifesaving equipment.
Now, for the first time in the United States, a coalition of researchers, public safety agencies, and community partners – led by Duke Health and coordinated through the Duke Clinical Research Institute – is testing a new way to save lives.
Drones carrying automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are being dispatched during real 911 calls in Forsyth County, North Carolina. The effort is part of a clinical trial that aims to see if drones can deliver AEDs to patients faster than traditional emergency services.
“This study represents a major step forward in how we respond to cardiac arrest in the United States,” said Monique Starks, M.D., principal investigator and associate professor at Duke University School of Medicine. “By integrating drone technology into emergency care, we’re working to close the critical gap between cardiac arrest and treatment, and that has the potential to save thousands of lives.”
According to previous research, if an AED can be used within 2 to 3 minutes of cardiac arrest, survival rates can jump to 70%. But EMS often takes 8 to 10 minutes to arrive. That’s where drones come in.
The study is happening in Clemmons, N.C., where the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office was already using drone technology as part of its law enforcement operations.
When a 911 call comes in for cardiac arrest in Clemmons, a drone carrying an AED is launched immediately. At the same time, the standard of care is still in place and EMS is also deployed.
The 911 dispatcher coordinates with a drone pilot who launches the drone to fly autonomously to the location of the cardiac arrest. The drone flies at 200 feet, lowers to 100 feet, and winches the AED safely to the ground. The 911 dispatcher then guides the bystander on getting and using the device.
“Launching drone-delivered AEDs is a promise to our citizens that their safety and quality of life are paramount,” said Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. “When seconds matter, this technology gives us the ability to reach people in need faster than ever before. It’s about saving lives, building trust, and showing our community that we will always lead with care and commitment.”
The research team hopes to reduce AED delivery time to under five minutes for more than half the population in the study area. The trial also includes James City County, Virginia.
The work is supported by the American Heart Association and involves more than a dozen partners, including University of Washington, Hovecon Consulting, Emory University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and University of Toronto.
“This project is laying the groundwork for what we hope will become a large, multi-center randomized clinical trial,” said Joseph Ornato, M.D., professor of emergency medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University and co-principal investigator on the study. “That future research will help us understand critical questions about how well this works, what it costs, and how we can get AEDs to people as quickly as possible whether they live in a city or rural community.”
“Forsyth County Fire/EMS 911 is proud to partner with Duke Health and the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office in this groundbreaking drone AED project, which has the potential to save lives by delivering critical care faster than ever before,” said James Fore, director of Forsyth County 911 Fire/EMS. “By integrating this technology into our emergency response system, we are strengthening our ability to serve the community when every second counts.”
“Our teams have worked tirelessly to set a new standard in cardiac arrest care by integrating drone delivery of AEDs during 911 calls,” said Stephen Powell, M.D., assistant professor of emergency medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and member of the study team. “This collaboration between telecommunicators and drone pilots—built through extensive planning and drills—aims to save precious minutes and, ultimately, lives. It’s incredible to see what’s possible when dedicated people come together for a single purpose.”
“While much of the excitement around drone delivery has centered on faster packages and e-commerce convenience, today marks a pivotal shift,” said Basil Yap, vice president of Hovecon. “This program is about life-saving deliveries of critical medical equipment in the form of AEDs, and we have achieved that only by making rigorous safety and full regulatory compliance the foundation of everything we do."
“Drones can meaningfully shorten the most critical moments between collapse and care,” said Betsy Sink, battalion chief at James City County Emergency Medical Services. “They won’t replace traditional response systems, but they can strengthen them by placing lifesaving equipment in the hands of bystanders when it matters most. This project allows us to better understand how far this innovation can go in improving survival and will shape the future of emergency medicine.”
“We’re excited about the potential drones bring to public safety,” said Sgt. Tiara Suggs, specialized response team commander with the James City County Police Department. “Whether it’s delivering AEDs, locating missing persons, or getting eyes on a scene faster than we ever could before, drones help us respond smarter and faster. In rural areas especially, where access can be limited, they’re a force multiplier that’s helping us save lives and protect our communities in ways we couldn’t just a few years ago.”