EMILY is an acronym for Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard, a robotic device used by lifeguards for rescuing swimmers. It operates on battery power and can be remotely controlled after being dropped into bodies of water. Using an impeller motor, EMILY can reach victims faster than a human lifeguard and function as a flotation device that can support up to 4-6 people. In 2012, lifeguards used EMILY to rescue a father and son caught in a rip current, demonstrating its effectiveness. A new gasoline-powered variant of EMILY collects weather data in the ocean for multiple days under a NOAA grant.

1. E.M.I.L.Y.
sometimes, EMILY or Emily; acronym for
Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard
A ROBOTIC DEVICE USED BY LIFEGUARDS FOR
RESCUING SWIMMERS.

2. • Operates on battery power and is operated by remote
control
• After being dropped into the water from shore, a boat or
pier, or helicopter.[2] Using an impeller motor to travel
through water, it is able to reach victims much faster than
a human lifeguard can by swimming, and it more compact
and less expensive to maintain than manned watercraft.
• It can also operate in weather and surf conditions that
make other rescue attempts impractical.
• Once it reaches the victims its foam core allows it to
function as a floatation device for up to 4-6 people holding
onto side ropes or handles.
A ROBOTIC DEVICE USED BY LIFEGUARDS FOR
RESCUING SWIMMERS.

3. In July, 2012 lifeguards made one
of the first rescues using
Emily, pulling a father and son to
shore after they had been caught
in a rip current.
A new multi-day duration gasoline
powered variant of EMILY for ocean
based storm tracking and weather
data collection has been developed
under funding by NOAA.