Drone Delivery of Automated External Defibrillators to Lay Users (DAEDALUS): A Proof of Concept Study

NCT07430813 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: 25/LO/0518 526049347904
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Summary in non-technical language Aim(s) of the research We are working on a way to use drones to deliver Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) - devices that help restart a person's heart by giving it an electric shock. These drones will bring AEDs to people helping someone having a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting. Our goal is to make sure everything works smoothly, from the time the emergency call is made to when the AED helps the patient. This research is important because it will help us find out the best process to deliver AEDs by drone and what challenges might come up. Background to the research A cardiac arrest happens when a person's heart suddenly stops, which stops blood from getting to their organs. Acting fast is very important. In the UK, less than 10% of people survive cardiac arrests because it often takes too long to get them the help they need. AEDs can save lives by restarting the heart, but they need to get to the patient quickly. Design and methods used This project has two main parts:

1. 1.Creating the drone delivery process:
2. 2.Interviews:

Conditions

Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Keywords

Drone Delivery of Automated External Defibrillators to Lay Users

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Tested protocols for drone-based AED delivery in the UK

  The primary output of this research will be tested protocols for drone-based AED delivery in the UK. These protocols will be adaptable for other emergency medical equipment, such as stop the bleed kits, medications, and blood products.

  From enrolment to submitting research papers to publications in Spring 2027

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Research publications

  From enrolment to submitting research papers to publications in Spring 2027

Study Arms (6)

Simulation Day 1

4 Participants will take part in Simulation Day 1

Simulation Day 2

4 Participants will take part in Simulation Day 2

Simulation Day 3

4 Participants will take part in Simulation Day 3

Simulation Day 4

4 Participants will take part in Simulation Day 4

Simulation day focus groups

Focus groups following simulation days

Interview group

interviews with members of the public

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Work Package 1 participants need to be able to travel to the simulation site in Surrey. There are no geographical restrictions for Work Package 2 participants as they can participate online.

You may qualify if:

• Work Package 1
• Adults aged 18 years and older
• Able to understand verbal explanations given in English
• Physically able to perform CPR and apply a defibrillator to a training manikin
• Work Package 2
• Purposeful sampling will recruit participants from diverse backgrounds, including those with and without OHCA experience.
• Able to understand verbal explanations or written information given in English

You may not qualify if:

• Work Package 1
• Under 18 years of age
• Unable to perform CPR
• Severe cognitive impairments
• Pregnant individuals
• Healthcare professionals
• Unable to understand verbal English sufficiently
• Work Package 2
• Individuals under 18.
• Unable to provide informed consent.
• Experiencing severe psychological distress triggered by events surrounding cardiac arrest
• Unable to understand or speak verbal or written information given in English

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Surrey: lead
• Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance: collaborator
• South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Surrey

Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom

RECRUITING

Related Publications (12)

• Braun V, Clarke V. To saturate or not to saturate? Questioning data saturation as a useful concept for thematic analysis and sample-size rationales. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. 2021;13(2):201-16.

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• Holden RJ, Carayon P, Gurses AP, Hoonakker P, Hundt AS, Ozok AA, et al. SEIPS 2.0: a human factors framework for studying and improving the work of healthcare professionals and patients. Ergonomics. 2013;56(11):1669-86.

  BACKGROUND

• Perkins GD. Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Overview: English Ambulance Services 2022. Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Outcomes: Warwick Clinical Trials Unit; 2022 2022.

  BACKGROUND

• Folke F, Gislason GH, Lippert FK, Nielsen SL, Weeke P, Hansen ML, et al. Differences between out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in residential and public locations and implications for public-access defibrillation. Circulation. 2010;122(6):623-30.

  BACKGROUND

• Deakin CD, Shewry E, Gray HH. Public access defibrillation remains out of reach for most victims of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest. Heart. 2014.

  BACKGROUND

• Nishiyama C, Kiguchi T, Okubo M, Alihodžić H, Al-Araji R, Baldi E, et al. Three-year trends in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest across the world: Second report from the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). Resuscitation. 2023;186:109757.

  BACKGROUND

• Bækgaard JS, Viereck S, Møller TP, Ersbøll AK, Lippert F, Folke F. The Effects of Public Access Defibrillation on Survival After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest. Circulation. 2017;136(10):954-65.

  BACKGROUND

• Gräsner J-T, Herlitz J, Tjelmeland IB, Wnent J, Masterson S, Lilja G, et al. European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021: epidemiology of cardiac arrest in Europe. Resuscitation. 2021;161:61-79

  BACKGROUND

• Perkins GD, Handley AJ, Koster RW, Castrén M, Smyth MA, Olasveengen T, et al. European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation 2015: Section 2. Adult basic life support and automated external defibrillation. Resuscitation. 2015;95:81-99

  BACKGROUND

• Pollack RA, Brown SP, Rea T, Aufderheide T, Barbic D, Buick JE, et al. Impact of bystander automated external defibrillator use on survival and functional outcomes in shockable observed public cardiac arrests. Circulation. 2018;137(20):2104-13

  BACKGROUND

• Weisfeldt ML, Sitlani CM, Ornato JP, Rea T, Aufderheide TP, Davis D, et al. Survival after application of automatic external defibrillators before arrival of the emergency medical system: evaluation in the resuscitation outcomes consortium population of 21 million. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010;55(16):1713-20.

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Heart Arrest; Heart Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Study Officials

• Richard Lyon, Professor

  University of Surrey

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Scott Munro, PhD

CONTACT

+44 1483 686700; scott.munro@surrey.ac.uk

Angela Heeler, PhD

CONTACT

+44 1483 686700; a.heeler@surrey.ac.uk

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 17, 2026
• First Posted: February 24, 2026
• Study Start: November 3, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 27, 2027
• Last Updated: February 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

GB (1)