United Hatzalah's Tiberias division received a new medical tool to utilize in order to save victims who are drowning, the medical service's spokesperson said on Thursday.
This new aquatic drone would be able to carry and safely drop life preservers for any victims that are drowning or unable to swim in deep water so that the number of deaths by drowning will decrease.
“The very first Kinneret [Sea of Galilee] drone was donated to our chapter anonymously,” said Yossi Oknin, head of United Hatzalah's Tiberias division. “We have already begun practicing drills with the drone. I am very optimistic that this flying rescue machine will make a significant change and help lower the number of drownings we see on the lake annually."
However, the best way to avoid drowning incidents is through proper education, he emphasized.
Oknin's current goal for the Tiberias division is to raise money for more drones, which he believes will speed up helping those in need of medical attention, as well as to cover more ground.
The drone is water-resistant and equipped with floating devices and cameras, and works during the night using a thermal imaging camera.
The division already has other tools at its disposal such as jet skis and rescue boats to help people from drowning in the Kinneret and other large bodies of water.