DJI reports new milestone for drone technology in SAR

Global drone technology company DJI has reported that drones have been directly involved in saving more than 1,000 people globally.

This milestone promotes the importance of drone technology in search and rescue (SAR) operations across the world.

“Drones are an essential live-saving tool for search and rescue operators around the world, and it is encouraging to see how civilians with drones often volunteer to help in critical emergencies,” said Christina Zhang, DJI Senior Director of Corporate Strategy. “Since we started compiling drone rescue statistics in 2017, we have made it our mission to share with the world how important drone technology is for the men and women who put their lives on the line for us all to save people from serious harm.”

Using its Drone Rescue Map, DJI tracks incidents when police, firefighters, rescue squads and bystanders have used drones to save people – since the first known rescue in 2013. The company compiles news of drone rescues from news stories and the social media posts of police departments, fire departments and rescue organizations. Incidents are then added to the map with the location and date, a brief description, and a link to the original story or post.

The map only includes incidents in which a drone has directly located, assisted and/or rescued a person.

Adam Welsh, DJI Global Head of Policy, added: “We appeal to the public and other stakeholders in society to spread the word how drones can really help and that restricting rescue agencies’ access to this technology – because of lack of funding or for other reasons – puts lives at risk.”