HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Hollywood Beach officials say lifeguards have already made 134 rescues this year. Now, they’ve unveiled a new tool aimed at reaching people in danger even faster.
Up in the sky, it looks like an ordinary drone. But this is South Florida’s first drone-deployed personal safety device.
In a demonstration, officials showed how lifeguards can launch the drone and fly it out to a swimmer in distress.
The process took only moments, and the drone can travel up to two miles offshore.
Once it arrives, it drops a self-inflating floatation device that provides something for the swimmer to hold onto while rescuers head their way.
Officials say the drone will be especially useful when lifeguards are off duty or when swimmers are caught in rip currents.
“The faster you get to somebody the more chances they have a survival,” said Ocean Rescue Chief Joyce Fuhrman. “Currents are extremely dangerous because you can be in waist deep water and you take one step forward suddenly you’re in a hole and that rip current will take you up to 200 yards out. That’s really far.”
Rescue officials caution the drones won’t be used in every situation.
Rain and high winds can limit their effectiveness, but on clear days, they say the new system could help save lives.
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