How the Chamonix–Mont-Blanc PGHM uses the DJI FlyCart 30 for mountain rescue operations
The PGHM video is available here:
In the Mont-Blanc massif, every rescue is a race against time. Conditions can change within minutes, the terrain is demanding, and reaching a victim can require hours of physical effort.
For the Chamonix High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon (PGHM) — renowned for its unique expertise — every detail matters.
It is in this context that the DJI FlyCart 30 delivery drone becomes a valuable tool, designed not to replace rescuers but to support them where the mountain makes everything more difficult.
As Lieutenant Loïc from the PGHM mountain technical coordination unit explains:
“Helicopters fly by sight, and that’s where things get complicated. As soon as clouds move in, the mission becomes more difficult. A drone like this can fly on a programmed route, and we can even send it into the clouds.”
Lightening the load, speeding up rescue operations
During a mission, rescuers must carry:
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medical equipment
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ropes
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anchors
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warming kits
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radios
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and sometimes heavy loads that are essential to progress
At high altitude or on rugged terrain, every kilogram counts.
The DJI FlyCart 30 can transport this equipment for them, directly to the intervention zone.
As Lieutenant Loïc says, “The benefit of a delivery drone is twofold: it saves precious time for the victims and improves operational agility, helping us avoid exposing rescue teams to unnecessary risk.”
This means:
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less fatigue for rescuers
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faster arrival at the victim’s location
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safer intervention conditions
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more energy at the critical moment
Reaching areas too dangerous for a human
As Pierre, drone pilot with the PGHM, points out:
“The cargo drone allows ground rescuers to travel lighter and reach victims faster. The drone pilot’s role in a mountain rescue mission is to determine a drop-off point and launch the drone as quickly as possible.”
Sometimes, the terrain is too unstable, too exposed, or too loaded with snow for a rescuer to proceed safely. The DJI FlyCart 30 can then be sent ahead to drop:
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ropes
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a medical kit
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a defibrillator
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a lifeline
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or survival gear to keep a victim safe until rescuers arrive
This aerial support reduces the rescuers’ exposure to danger while delivering quick, tangible assistance.
Creating a vital link between the base and teams on the face
While a team is progressing along a face, couloir or ridge, the DJI FlyCart 30 acts as a real logistical relay. It can bring extra equipment, replace a lost bag, deliver a radio battery, or bring a thermal blanket as the situation evolves.
In the mountains, where a forgotten item or unexpected issue can be critical, this real-time resupply capability changes everything.
A drone that supports, rescuers who decide
The FlyCart 30 is operated by expert rescuers trained for extreme situations.
The technology does not decide — it assists. It provides an extra margin for action where nature leaves very little room for error.
On the slopes of Mont-Blanc, the drone makes it possible to go faster, go farther, and sometimes simply give someone an extra chance.
Photo Credits: PGHM Chamonix
An alliance between human expertise and innovation
The Chamonix Mont-Blanc PGHM has long been recognized for its exceptional standards and unparalleled experience. The arrival of the DJI FlyCart 30 opens up new possibilities.
Thanks to it, rescuers can:
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preserve their energy for decisive moments
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reduce exposure to danger
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save precious minutes
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and optimize every phase of the mission
The drone can help. But the true courage — the courage that saves lives — belongs to the women and men who move forward despite the cold, wind and void, and who give the mountains a more human face every day.
As Lieutenant Loïc explains:
“The drone is not a gadget at all. It’s a real tool that fits into the rescue chain. Mountain rescue is an ecosystem made up of rescuers, doctors, the helicopter crew… and the drone is an additional tool that we’re now integrating into this ecosystem.”
To watch the video, click here:
Video credit: PGHM Chamonix
