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Video released by FDNY shows a drone dropping flotation devices to help a swimmer in distress until lifeguards arrived off New York City's Rockaway Beach.

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657,108 views • 2 months ago •via X (Twitter)

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18 Comments

Jacob Secrest2 months ago

Damn I am shell shocked, I thought I was watching another Ukrainian airstrike

Charles2 months ago

This is one of the best uses of drone technology I've seen. Every second counts in a water rescue.

CHICAGO2 months ago

Technology like this can make a real difference in emergencies. A drone buying someone precious time until rescuers arrive is an impressive example of innovation saving lives. 🚁❤️

Ngoc Anh2 months ago

Drone lifeguard was not on my 2025 bingo card, but I’ll take it

mojiexingzhe2 months ago

Chinese people ≠ Chinese Communist Party

george2 months ago

Is this a staged ad for the drone company because it seems like he can actually swim

Gohed Enblomi2 months ago

Thank Allah for Mamdani

PepeBonk 🍊2 months ago

Based 🍊🟦👀

Renata Lima2 months ago

This was a good and quick way to make the swimmer survive before the lifeguards arrived.

🇺🇸Outlandish Patriot🇺🇸2 months ago

That's kinda hunger games-ish

AFC BABE 💖 ✨2 months ago

Sending lots of love to you ♥️💖💝

Алеко Бръзицов Дулу 段胜利2 months ago

Not bad...

Bourbonhog2 months ago

Wow thats cool

Mac2 months ago

Democrats are murderers

CincinnatiSlim2 months ago

For someone drowning…he didn’t seem urgent grabbing the floater

Jaekwondo2 months ago

some green water lol

Nikoletta2 months ago

the future of beach safety looking way more sci-fi than I expected but honestly pretty cool deployment

SaberX2 months ago

Next thing you know they'll have underwater drones fighting off sharks as well

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At approximately 6:20 p.m. Tuesday, FDNY members assigned to the Robotics Unit and EMS rescued two swimmers in distress off Rockaway Beach at Beach 85th Street just 20 minutes after lifeguards had gone off duty. While patrolling the shoreline with a drone, Firefighter Michael Stothers spotted the swimmers struggling in the water and, within minutes, successfully deployed a Restube flotation device from the drone. The flotation device began to inflate as soon as it hit the water and helped both swimmers remain afloat until rescuers arrived. EMT Michael Ormiston, of Station 47, entered the water with a rescue torpedo and made contact with one victim, while Firefighter Patrick O'Leary assisted in bringing the individual safely to shore. An off-duty lifeguard assisted with the rescue of the second swimmer. Both patients were transported to an area hospital in stable condition. ⚠️ As more New Yorkers head to the beach this summer, the FDNY reminds residents to swim only when lifeguards are on duty, follow the posted safety signs and to stay alert to changing water conditions.

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