Trevor Wain, a paramedic based in Market Deeping, Lincolnshire, is leading a novel project to use drones for delivering life-critical equipment during medical emergencies. Wain is convinced that drones could expedite the transport of defibrillators, EpiPens, and haemorrhage control kits to incident scenes, thereby potentially enhancing survival rates prior to ambulance arrival. “Every minute in cardiac arrest reduces survival chances by 10%. Should a drone arrive merely two minutes before an ambulance, survival odds could markedly improve,” stated Wain. He is currently in the process of obtaining approval from the Civil Aviation Authority to test this innovative scheme.
Drawing from over ten years of professional experience, Wain acknowledges that the rural expanse of Lincolnshire often impedes rapid emergency response. “Drones present an encouraging solution for the swift delivery of equipment across large, open areas,” he indicated. These drones, outfitted with two-way communication systems and cameras, could potentially offer remote guidance to bystanders until the arrival of professionally trained assistance. He related a recent incident where timely drone delivery of defibrillator pads could have prevented costly delays.
In their efforts to augment access to community defibrillators, the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) partners with the British Heart Foundation and other agencies, offering advice and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training to local volunteers. Mick Barnett-Connolly, of EMAS, underlined the criticality of immediate, high-quality CPR to increase survival chances. As parallel drone initiatives are tested across the UK to transport medical necessities, Wain has been contacted by United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust to examine further possibilities of utilising drone technology.
This story draws upon original reporting by www.bbc.com, and has been reworked for publication in The Lincoln Post.
