Overview

• Andrew Smith, a shark fisherman with a seizure disorder, used his drone to rescue a teenage girl caught in a rip current on May 15, 2025, at Pensacola Beach, Florida.
• Smith’s first attempt to deliver a flotation device failed due to strong winds, but his second, slower approach succeeded, allowing the girl to stay afloat until first responders arrived.
• Local paramedics, police, and lifeguards confirmed the girl would not have survived without Smith’s successful drone rescue.
• The girl, who has not been publicly identified, was evaluated by medical staff and given a clean bill of health after the incident.
• The rescue has sparked discussions about the potential of consumer drones in emergency response and highlighted the importance of rip current awareness and lifeguard coverage.