A fire department in Maine recently used a drone to deliver a lifeline to two teenagers trapped in the middle of a river. The drone used is a DJI Phantom 3. Shades of things to come?
Here’s another story about using drones for search and rescue. The National Park Service has used a drone to assist in search and rescue in the Grand Canyon. And, here is a 2017 story about the use of drones to locate lost hikers, lessening the time for a successful search completion.
Could a drone be used to scout a river downstream prior to a float trip to confirm whether any hazards exist, such as storm or flood debris, strainers, rapids, etc., for parts of a river generally inaccessible for inspection? Will the use of a drone during outdoor activities become an industry-recognized best practice? Check back in a few years!