Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages 18 and up

Drone delivery of AEDs to bystanders for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

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

Run by University of Surrey · NCT07430813 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project will test whether drones can deliver AEDs quickly to bystanders helping someone who has a cardiac arrest outside a hospital.

More Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest trials

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment36 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Surrey
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Guildford, Surrey)
StatusRecruiting
StartedNovember 3, 2025
Main results expectedDecember 2026
Study endsFebruary 27, 2027
Registry record updatedFebruary 24, 2026
Trial IDNCT07430813 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal participants are adults (18+) who can understand English and are physically able to perform CPR and apply an AED to a training manikin, with recruitment including people both with and without prior cardiac arrest experience.

Probably not a fit

People under 18, those unable to provide informed consent, non–English speakers, those with severe cognitive or physical limitations, pregnant people, or current healthcare professionals are excluded and would not receive benefit from participating.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

DAEDALUS is a proof-of-concept observational project testing drone delivery of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to lay people responding to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The work includes hands-on simulation sessions where adult volunteers follow simulated emergency instructions, receive an AED by drone, and practise applying it to a training manikin, plus a second work package that recruits a purposefully sampled, diverse group for observation and feedback. Researchers will measure timing, safety, user ability to retrieve and apply the AED, and logistical or communication challenges from emergency call to AED use. The project is run at the University of Surrey in partnership with local ambulance and air ambulance services to reflect real-world operational workflows.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, drone delivery could shorten time to defibrillation and help more people survive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by getting AEDs to bystanders faster.

How similar studies have gone: Small pilot projects and simulations in other settings have shown drone delivery of AEDs can be feasible and reduce delivery times, but it remains an early approach with limited evidence of improved survival outcomes.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 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

Exclusion Criteria:

* 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

Where it's running

  • University of Surrey
    Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.