Methods and systems for providing a safety apparatus to distressed persons

A system for providing lifesaving equipment to a person in distress, the system comprising:

• an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in wireless communication with a control device and comprising an equipment engagement mechanism configured to releasably secure the lifesaving equipment to the UAV;
• wherein the equipment engagement mechanism is operable between a closed configuration in which the lifesaving equipment is secured to the UAV and an open configuration in which the lifesaving equipment is released from the UAV;
• the control device configured to:
• generate one or more directional signals in response to user input indicating a desired direction for the UAV, wherein the directional signals are indicative of a desired direction of travel for the UAV;
• generate a release signal in response to user input indicating a request to release the lifesaving equipment from the UAV;
• and
• transmit the one or more directional signals and the release signal to the UAV;
• and
• wherein the UAV is configured to, in response to receipt of the directional signals, move in the desired direction of travel and, in response to receipt of the release signal, move the equipment engagement mechanism into the open configuration to release the lifesaving equipment.