An automated external defibrillator (AED) delivered by Everdrone's drone system was used in response to a confirmed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest involving a man in his 60s in Borås, Sweden, on 19 July 2026. The drone was dispatched as part of Västra Götaland Region's (VGR) standard emergency response and delivered the AED to the scene of the incident prior to ambulance arrival. The man regained a pulse at the scene and was subsequently treated in hospital.
Credit: Everdrone AB
The drone flies autonomously to the emergency location and delivers the AED by lowering it on a winch from an altitude of approximately 30 metres. In suspected cardiac arrest cases, the drone is dispatched automatically in parallel with the ambulance.
"In cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, the first few minutes are critical. Everdrone's drone system helps healthcare providers get an AED to the scene as early as possible, giving the patient the best possible chance of survival," says Mats Sällström, CEO of Everdrone.
Following an emergency call to SOS Alarm, the drone was dispatched from its local base in Borås and delivered the AED directly to the scene prior to ambulance arrival. Bystanders immediately started CPR and attached the AED with guidance and support from the emergency dispatcher. The AED analysed the patient's heart rhythm, and a defibrillation shock was delivered. The subsequent medical response was provided by the ambulance service and the other emergency responders.
"Every time our drone system is used in a real emergency, it reinforces the value of integrating drones into emergency medical services. The drone complements ambulances and other emergency resources by delivering life-saving equipment during the most critical minutes," says Mats Sällström.
The response was part of Västra Götaland Region's emergency drone programme, under which drones are automatically dispatched alongside ambulances to suspected cardiac arrests.
"Our system, Drone Emergency Medical Services (DEMS), is unique and currently operates in Sweden and France. This incident further demonstrates its potential to help save more lives, and we hope it will raise greater awareness of drones as a valuable complement to emergency medical services," says Mats Sällström.
The service is operated jointly by Västra Götaland Region and Everdrone. Six operational drone bases provide coverage for more than 300,000 residents in the region as part of a long-term initiative to reduce the time before life-saving treatment for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The incident in Borås demonstrates how drone technology can be integrated into routine emergency medical services.
Facts about Everdrone's drone system in Västra Götaland Region
- New operational system in Västra Götaland Region since spring/summer 2026
- Research programme ongoing since 2019 as a collaboration with VGR, Karolinska Institutet and Everdrone
- Six operational drone bases
- Covers more than 300,000 residents
- Delivers: Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and aerial situational awareness
- Purpose: To reduce the time to AED delivery in suspected cardiac arrests and provide early situational awareness at emergency scenes
- Additional deployments: France (operational) and Stockholm Region (launching autumn 2026).