A new Drone Emergency Medical Services (DEMS) has now entered operational service in the Forges-les-Eaux area in Normandy, where the system is fully integrated into the regional emergency dispatch chain for suspected cardiac arrest. This marks a significant step in the development of drone-supported emergency medical care in France and means the service is now used in real emergency calls to shorten time to first medical intervention.
The drone system is operated by Everdrone in close collaboration with the French emergency dispatch centers (SAMU) and delivers an automated external defibrillator (AED) to the site of a suspected cardiac arrest within minutes – often several minutes before the ambulance arrives.
Drone service to deliver automated defibrillators
In cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, the chance of survival decreases by approximately 7–10 percent for every minute without defibrillation, making early access to an AED absolutely critical. By shortening the time to first intervention, the DEMS service addresses one of the most decisive moments in the entire chain of survival.
The project was initiated by Rouen SAMU, where Medical Director Dr. Cédric Damm early on recognized the potential of Everdrone’s DEMS model to shorten response times in cardiac arrest cases. The SAMU has worked closely with Delivrone – the leading medical drone operator in France – to implement a solution, and since 2022 Everdrone and Delivrone have collaborated to provide French hospitals with a state-of-the-art DEMS capability.
Implementation in Normandy is carried out together with Delivrone, CHU Rouen Normandie (the university hospital in Rouen), Région Normandie, and Mairie de Forges-les-Eaux. Together, these organizations form a long-term partnership with a clear objective: reducing time to first medical action and thereby strengthening survival prospects in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
The system in Normandy is based on Everdrone’s established DEMS platform, which has been in operational service in Sweden since 2022. The Swedish results — demonstrating clear time savings and improved access to AEDs — have been central in shaping the French service.
“Having our system now used in live emergency calls in Normandy demonstrates how quickly DEMS technology can create tangible value. Together with our regional partners, we are taking an important step toward giving more patients life-saving support several minutes earlier than is possible today,” says Mats Sällström, CEO of Everdrone.
“In cases of cardiac arrest, every minute is critical, and the ability to place an AED on-site several minutes earlier can directly influence a patient’s chance of survival. By integrating Everdrone’s DEMS system into our dispatch chain, we gain a valuable complement that strengthens our ability to act quickly in the most time-sensitive situations. The project in Normandy shows that drone deliveries can become a natural and effective part of the emergency medical care of the future,” says Dr. Cédric Damm, Medical Director, SAMU 76 Rouen.
About Everdrone
Everdrone AB is a leading provider of autonomous drone systems for emergency response and healthcare, headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. Its proprietary technology enables the extremely rapid delivery of life-saving medical equipment—such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs)—directly to the scene, while also providing real-time video support to emergency dispatchers. Known for safe, regulatory-compliant operations in urban areas, the company collaborates with public authorities to integrate its systems with existing emergency infrastructure. Everdrone’s work has been featured in leading medical journals, including The Lancet and The New England Journal of Medicine, and gained international attention as the first to save a life using an autonomous drone. The company is expanding internationally, with pilot programs and collaborations across Europe. For more information, visit everdrone.com and follow Everdrone on LinkedIn.
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