Drone saves two Australian swimmers in world first

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: BBC

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.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-42731112

---

There's video here - the waves look pretty nasty for someone tired, so this really make have made all the difference: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/world-first-a-drone-has-been-used-to-rescue-two-swimmers-struggling-in-heavy-surf-20180118-h0kg9m.html

[Hortensis]

1. Fabulous! Unless they'd been watching the training exercises,

those boys would never have looked to the skies for rescue, far too involved in what was happening down there, and then that thing just landed between them. Good job!

The day is coming fast when people in trouble, around the planet, will be anxiously scanning the skies.

Thanks, Muriel.

[lagomorph777]

4. I'm already anxiously scanning the skies.

Because we're all in trouble.

[Hortensis]

5. Well, I think we'll be doing most of our work on that

from the ground. Itm, lots of good things are happening outside politics.

(But maybe I'm not the only one wishing a meteor would make things easier by crashing into one of the Koch alliance gatherings. Perhaps this summer!)

[truthisfreedom]

2. Excellent use for drone tech. Much better than killing.

[Sunlei]

3. cool video! wow that's a great use for drones!