Hovecon to host demonstration day to support AED delivery programme RFI

As part of the RESTORe-CARE Drone Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) delivery program, led by Duke University School of Medicine and funded by an American Heart Association grant, US drone services company Hovecon is hosting a vendor demonstration day for parties interested in a Request for Information (RFI) about AED drone delivery solutions. The work is designed to support emergency response to cardiac arrests by reducing response times and improving outcomes, especially in rural areas where access to medical care is limited.

Responses to the RFI are requested by 15 March 2024 via email: ben.spain@hovecon.com

Research partners include Duke University School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Medical Center/Medical College, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, and James City County Police Department.

With over 350,000 individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrest annually, there is a need for rapid intervention, says Hovecon. The American Heart Association states that 90% of cardiac arrest victims who are shocked by an AED within the first minute survive. However, current response times average 8-10 minutes. Hovecon’s goal is to meet the critical five-minute resuscitation window using drone technology.

Early results from a Duke University led research sponsored by the National Institutes of Health show that response times can be reduced enough to meet the critical five-minute resuscitation window when using a drone.

Access the RFI here