Drones have been around for many years, but in the 2010s they began to move from the realm of science fiction into reality. With advances in technology, drones are becoming more prevalent in emergency medical services.
They can be used for a variety of purposes, such as providing surveillance or tracking. Now, drones are likely to become even more prevalent in emergency medical services because of their ability to provide accurate and timely information.
The use of medical drones in emergency medical services has been gaining popularity in recent years, especially in Ontario for the past 3 years. Drones have many advantages over traditional methods, such as providing a flexible and fast response time, reducing the amount of manpower needed, and improving accuracy.
How Drones Can Help Emergency Medical Services in Canada
Emergency medical services (EMS) in Canada have long been reliant on ground-based vehicles and crews to respond to calls. This has posed several challenges, including the need for responders to be available 24/7, the inability to reach some areas quickly, and the difficulty of transporting patients. Drones could help address these issues.
They can provide responders with a fast and efficient means of reaching remote areas, allow them to travel over difficult terrain, and transport patients to hospitals more easily. Three major areas where these drones are helpful in emergency medical services in Canada are discussed below:
Delivery of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
Drone delivery of AEDs could be a momentous change for emergency medical services in Canada. It would allow medics to get life-saving equipment to people who need it quickly and easily, no matter where they are located.
This would be a huge improvement over the current system, which can often involve prolonged delays in getting help to people who need it. There are many benefits to using drones for AED delivery. They are quick, efficient, and can reach difficult-to-access areas with ease.
Delivery of Emergency Blood and Blood Products
In Canada, emergency medical services (EMS) are vital for saving lives. However, there are times when blood and blood products are needed urgently but are not readily available. This is where drones can help deliver these products to the required location.
The use of drones for this purpose can speed up the delivery process, as they can travel much faster than a traditional ambulance. They can also bypass traffic congestion and other obstacles, which can help to reduce the amount of time it takes for the products to reach their destination.
They have been used for this purpose in other countries with great success, and there is no reason why they cannot be used in Canada as well. There is already a company that is using drones to deliver emergency blood and blood products in Canada.
Delivery of Rescue Medications
Medical Drones can be used to deliver rescue medications to people who are stranded or injured in remote areas. This can help paramedics to reach those who need help more quickly and easily than would otherwise be possible.
Additionally, the use of drones can help to reduce the cost of providing emergency medical services in Canada too.
Ontario Plans with Drone Regulations to improve emergency medical services
The County of Renfrew Paramedic Service in Ontario, Canada have had permission to operate their drone beyond visual line of sight for emergency medical services for over three years. Recently, the team has begun flight trials with the drone to improve response times and reduce risk.
The trial is being conducted by the Renfrew County Emergency Services department and they are working with the University of Guelph to improve their knowledge and skills in drone technology.
The Cradlepoint cellular technology was integral to the drone’s ability to fly beyond line of sight and stay in the air for extended periods. The technology allowed the drone to communicate with its controller and receive updates on its location, flight path, and other critical data. The cellular connection also allowed the drone to send back video and other information to its controllers.
Why Are Drones Facing a Major Setback In Canada?
Drones are quickly becoming a valuable tool for the emergency medical services, agricultural, forestry, and oil and gas industries. However, because drones are not currently permitted to fly over most of the United States and Canada, operators need to prove that they can safely operate these aircraft over long distances.
To do this, they will need to develop a system that allows drones to communicate with each other and with ground control stations.
In conclusion, although drones offer a variety of potential benefits, both the United States and Canadian aviation authorities have restricted their use to flying within the operator’s line of sight to minimize the risk of interference with commercial aviation.
Only the Renfrew paramedics are now authorized to fly UAVs beyond the visual line of sight, significantly expanding not only the range but also the capabilities of their drones. Canada has changed the perspective on when and how this technology should be opened up for first responders, which has led us to believe that drones will have a huge role in emergency medical services, especially in Canada.
