“After only 5 minutes under standard conditions, irreversible brain damage occurs. Every minute of inactivity, especially if CPR is not performed, means a 10-15% reduction in the probability of survival. Conversely, if an AED is used within 3 to 5 minutes, the chance of survival can reach up to 70%. Therefore, timely performance of defibrillation where indicated is very important. After 10 minutes of inactivity and without the use of an AED, the chance of survival is practically nil.”             ⁓ Director of ZZS PK Pavel Hrdlička

As part of a collaborative project with the Emergency Medical Service, we are creating a strategic map for the deployment of unmanned technologies that will be able to fly to locations where the medical emergency service would arrive later than the optimal time on command from the operations centre and confirmation from the drone operator. The operator at the control room who receives the emergency call will decide on his/her own if the use of a drone is needed to transport the AED. If so, the drone operator will be contacted and he or she will fly the drone to the scene of the need. At the site, the box will be placed using a winch. The box will contain the AED machine and other possible equipment that may be useful, such as a tourniquet. The equipment will also include an oxygen generator and oxygen mask.

In the case of a reported sudden cardiac arrest, the operator from the Emergency Department will communicate with the reporting person at all times and the latter will be directed and instructed on the use of the AED or other equipment.

The operation centre will see the current position of the drone with the estimated time of arrival and the video transmission from the drone throughout the entire flight. Thanks to this, it will be possible for the person at the operation centre to have a perfect overview of the situation at the place of need and will also see live the eventual arrival of the ambulance.

For the pilot project, in which we will test the complete technology and strategies, the airport in Líně is selected, currently a base for the air ambulance service, a base for the air army and also an international airport for small aircraft with a pilot on board. The area has been chosen because of the many challenges, which, if we solve, will make the application throughout the Pilsen region all the easier.

The technology that was chosen is the DJI Flycart 30. A drone that can carry up to 30 kilograms of cargo. The maximum speed of this machine is 20 m/s with a maximum flight time of 18 minutes. This drone will be further used in technical support during an IZS (Integrated Rescue Service) intervention where transport of any equipment or gear to hard to reach or otherwise problematic locations will be required. At the same time, it will enable medical support of the IZS units with the assistance of the rescue service.

During testing, the choice of the machine used may change, the main parameters for evaluating the suitability of the drone are:

• Maximum speed
• Meteorological resistance
• Battery capacity
• Carrying capacity
• Capacity for BVLOS flights
• Usability in docking station
• Recharging speed
• Transponders and receivers for ambient flight traffic
• Safety mechanisms and sensors

What will be addressed in the pilot project

• Complete legislation for flying in this mode using unmanned technologies
• BVLOS flights using mobile data
• Coordination of flight operations with both manned and unmanned aircraft
• Connection of other necessary equipment
  • Thermal imaging camera – for easier visibility in difficult terrain/night flights
  • Loudspeaker – in case of crowds and the need for warning
  • Reflector/illuminator – to illuminate the area for boxing or landing
  • Other possible…

• Server part to ensure communication between the machine and the operator
• Recall via the Emergency Medical Services Operations Centre
• Hardware part – drone and possible creation of a docking station
• Complete logistics of operation and steps for safety and critical scenarios
• VFR and IFR flights
• Automatic check of the meteorological status of the area through which the drone will fly
• Automatic check of no-fly zones in the flight path

This project is intended to increase the chances of survival throughout the Pilsen region and we hope for future replication in surrounding regions. We are currently in a pilot project and testing within one location in the Pilsen region.