DJI Drone AED Delivery System Saves Critical Minutes at Ski Race

Medical teams at the American Birkebeiner ski race have implemented an innovative drone-based emergency response system that delivers Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to remote locations along the course, potentially saving crucial minutes in cardiac emergency situations.

The collaboration, spearheaded by Dr. Jesse Cohen, the event’s medical director, utilizes DJI Matrice 350 drones equipped with AVSS parachute system and custom delivery mechanisms designed by engineers at the University of Wisconsin. This marks the second year of the program, with significant technical advancements over last year’s proof-of-concept demonstration.

Life-Saving Minutes: The Medical Challenge

“We’ve learned through unfortunate experience that responding to a cardiac arrest in a rural or wilderness trail setting like we have here at the American Birkebeiner can be really challenging,” explained Dr. Cohen. “Every minute counts. Survival goes down 5 to 10% with each passing minute.”

Technical Innovation: The Delivery System

The system employs a specially designed thermal container with heat packs to protect the AED from cold temperatures. Engineers at the University of Wisconsin created a custom sleeve mechanism that attaches to the drone’s legs, connecting to a “dropper” release system and a controlled-descent Zipline component that allows for precise delivery from approximately 100 feet above the ground.

When emergency coordinates are received, the drone navigates to the location, where the pilot releases the primary mechanism. The AED package then descends at a controlled rate via the integrated zipline system. Once safely on the ground, the pilot releases the final connection, allowing the drone to depart while responders access the AED.

Equipment Specifications: The DJI Solution

The DJI Matrice 350, known for its industrial applications and robust payload capacity, is additionally equipped with a parachute system from AVSS for enhanced safety, even though operations avoid flying directly over people.

While detailed specifications of the DJI Matrice 350 weren’t provided in the source material, it’s part of DJI’s professional drone lineup designed for industrial applications requiring significant payload capacity. Additional research about this specific model’s capabilities would be needed for precise specifications.

Experience and Expertise: The Team Behind the System

Michael Randall of Higher Perspective Aerial Services, who has extensive experience with AED deployment at sporting events and 25 years with the National Mountain Bike Patrol, helps operate the system.

“We were one of the first patrols to carry an AED. We started working with the Twin Cities Marathon to carry AEDs on their course and have had quite a few saves over the years,” Randall noted.

The project team includes Dr. Jesse Cohen (medical director), Michael Randall (Higher Perspective Aerial Services), Lenen Rogers and Craig Connor (University of Wisconsin engineering team), and additional support staff.

Operational Coordination: Managing Airspace

Coordinating the multiple drones operating at the event is Verizon’s crisis response team, which provides air traffic management through their “air boss” service to ensure all aerial operations maintain safety standards.

Future Outlook: Evolving Life-Saving Technology

While everyone involved hopes the system will never need to be deployed in a real emergency, the continued refinement of this technology demonstrates how drone applications are evolving beyond photography and surveillance into potentially life-saving medical interventions. As noted in the source material, this represents the second year of development, with plans to further refine the system for next year’s event.