Peel pilot project tests drone delivery of defibrillators to help cardiac arrest victims
By Marta MarychukMississauga News
Tues., April 2, 2019
With each minute vital for a victim during a cardiac arrest, the Region of Peel will take part in a pilot project in Caledon using voluntary community CPR responders and Automated External Defibrillators delivered by drones.
Despite improvements in CPR quality, drug administration and airway management, cardiac arrest survival in most communities is “abysmal,” according to Dr. Sheldon Cheskes, medical director at the Sunnybrook Centre for prehospital medicine.
Paramedic Services, along with Drone Delivery Canada, will take part in a series of test flights in Caledon, with drones carrying An an Automated External Defibrillator travelling from paramedic station to predetermined destinations.
Paramedic Services, along with Drone Delivery Canada, will take part in a series of test flights in Caledon, with drones carrying An an Automated External Defibrillator travelling from paramedic station to predetermined destinations. (Drone Delivery Canada)
Early use of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) and bystanders performing CPR have significantly improved outcomes, Cheskes added.
However, 85 per cent of cardiac arrests happen in the home and cardiac arrests that occur in public places only have an AED applied 15 to 20 per cent of the time, Cheskes said.
Peel Health statistics indicate there are three to four cardiac arrests in the region every day. During cardiac arrest, for each minute that passes between the time a person collapses and defibrillation in applied survival rates decrease seven to 10 per cent.
“In 25 years, this is the most innovative thing we’ve come up with,” Cheskes said at a recent meeting of regional council.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/04/02/...ac-arrest-victims.html