A drone called FRED could become valuable rescue tool for surf life savers

 

Volunteer surf lifesaver Daniel Smith’s innovative Higher School Certificate major project has the potential to make Hunter beaches safer.
The Merewether High year 12 student has been patrolling the region’s beaches for three years,  which gave him ample inspiration earlier this year for his Design and Technology major work.

 

‘‘There are many situations where quick response time is invaluable,’’ the 17-year-old said.

‘‘I wanted to build a system that would innovate the way surf lifesavers carry out rescues, to make them faster, easier and safer for both patients and rescuers.’’

Daniel’s First Response Emergency Drop or FRED is an unmanned aerial system comprising a hexacopter with a high-definition camera and the ability to drop a water-activated inflation device to a  person in the ocean.

He said surf lifesavers on land could launch FRED and use a remote control to direct it to a person in the water, with the aid of a video feed transmitted from the camera to a screen on land.

‘‘It’s of great advantage if it’s really ...more