Rescue drone could prevent drownings at US beaches

A file photo shows a drone with a safety flotation device attached underneath flying over a beach north of Sydney. A US police department developed a similar drone rescue kit to help save struggling swimmers. — AFP

One day very soon, a struggling swimmer caught in a riptide off Baldwin County’s beaches could look up to see a drone dropping a lifesaving float. And while the swimmer probably won’t know it, the drone’s flight will honour a first responder who died during a surf rescue earlier this year.

On Friday, the Mobile Police Department demonstrated a drone rescue kit developed by its Cyber Intelligence Unit. Baldwin County Sheriff Hoss Mack, who was on hand for the demonstration, said his office has already accepted one of the kits from Mobile and that it was ready for immediate use.