The Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to Assist Lifeguards Identifying, Preventing, and Rescuing: A Systematic Review

When dealing with drowning scenarios, time is of capital importance. In this sense, the search for innovative strategies that provide more effectiveness and safety for lifesaving professionals, as well as for bathers, is essential. The aim of this study was to systematically review the feasibility and effectiveness of unmanned aerial vehicles as a tool to assist lifeguards in performing their duties. A systematic literature search was conducted in October 2023 across the databases PubMed, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, and Scopus, using the search terms: ((drone) OR (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles)) AND ((drowning) OR (water rescue)). A total of 5 studies were included in this review, whose quality ranged from moderate to strong, according to the EPHPP Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. The results suggest that unmanned aerial vehicles may assist lifeguards in the prevention, detection, and rescue of drowning victims and people in distress in the water. Although preliminary, evidence suggests that lifeguards would benefit from the use of unmanned aerial vehicles regarding lifeguards’ and others’ safety.