Drone Lifeguards set to save swimmers in Tuscany

Normally, the buzz around Forte dei Marmi — a swanky beach town on Italy's "Tuscan Riviera" — comes from the swarms of paparazzi aiming for the half-naked A-listers (or former A-listers) and models cavorting along the wide, sandy beaches. This summer, however, some of the buzz could come from drones, newly employed to rescue drowning or distressed swimmers from the water.

Yes, we’re serious.

Roberto Santini, who owns the exclusive Piero Beach Club, where the drones will be put in action, says he has no intention of replacing traditional lifeguards, but believes the machines can reach those in the water faster and more efficiently than people. When nearby, the shouts and screams of flailing swimmers will trigger life vests (up to three) to drop into the water.

The British-Iranian patented drones will supposedly be able to communicate through a loudspeaker, perhaps relaying instructions or calming swimmers down (cue soothing music). Other advantages may also come at night, when the drones can employ sensors to detect both life jackets in the water and, through a heat-sensing camera, people and other objects. After victims are rescued, a GPS system built into the machine will direct the drone back to base without human guidance.

So when you're slipping under the water and don't see any sign of a human lifeguard, don't worry. Just keep your ears open for the buzz and scream like mad.