Drowning detection system

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Drowning detection systems are systems designed to improve safety by reducing drowning deaths [1] and injuries in public and private pools, [2] waterparks, thermal baths, [3] spa facilities, beaches, or other natural bodies of water smart beach.

Contents

Classification

Pool monitoring systems fall into two broad categories: Active or Passive.

Active systems

Active systems are often using a wearable on the swimmer, such as a wristband, that monitors the behaviour and position of the swimmer. If the swimmer is detected to be under water för a certain period, an alarm is triggered and through acoustic underwater communication from the wristband to receivers installed in the pool the alarm is transferred to on-site lifeguards that immediately can identify which pool and to start rescue. The advantage of such systems is that each person is guarded and that the same wristband can be used for access to facilities and lockers. The system is mainly used in public swimming pools where lifeguards are present. [4]

Passive systems

Passive systems provide lifeguards with views of swimmer activity and behaviour below the water surface, which aids the 10:20 scan for identifying potential incidents. They offer a way of compensating for surface glare and blind spots in the swimming pool, thereby making the lifeguard's job easier. Active systems are designed to automatically monitor the pool and alert lifeguards to potential incidents. [5]

Passive system underwater cameras let lifeguards inspect multiple underwater views simultaneously from a single location. [6] [7] Cameras can cover areas which may otherwise be obstructed. Below water cameras can be paired with above water cameras to provide face-to-body matching if there is an incident where a swimmer needs to be identified, in cases of sexual assault for example. [8] [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swimming</span> Self propulsion of a person through water

Swimming is the self-propulsion of a person through water or other liquid, such as saltwater or freshwater environments, usually for recreation, sport, exercise, or survival. Swimmers achieve locomotion by coordinating limb and body movements to achieve hydrodynamic thrust that results in directional motion. Newborns can instinctively hold their breath underwater and exhibit rudimentary swimming movements as part of a survival reflex. Swimming requires endurance, skill, and efficient techniques to maximize speed and minimize energy consumption.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drowning</span> Respiratory impairment caused by submersion in liquid

Drowning is a type of suffocation induced by the submersion of the mouth and nose in a liquid. Submersion injury refers to both drowning and near-miss incident. Most instances of fatal drowning occur alone or in situations where others present are either unaware of the victim's situation or unable to offer assistance. After successful resuscitation, drowning victims may experience breathing problems, confusion, or unconsciousness. Occasionally, victims may not begin experiencing these symptoms until several hours after they are rescued. An incident of drowning can also cause further complications for victims due to low body temperature, aspiration, or acute respiratory distress syndrome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lifeguard</span> Profession

A lifeguard is a rescuer who supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, beach, spa, river and lake. Lifeguards are trained in swimming and CPR/AED first aid, certified in water rescue using a variety of aids and equipment depending on requirements of their particular venue. In some areas, lifeguards are part of the emergency services system to incidents and in some communities, lifeguards may function as the primary EMS provider.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wave pool</span> Swimming pool with artificial waves

A wave pool is a swimming pool in which there are artificially generated, large waves, similar to those of the ocean. Wave pools are often a major feature of water parks, both indoors and outdoors, as well as some leisure centres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gellért Baths</span> Historic site in Budapest, Hungary

The Gellért Thermal Bath, also known as the Gellért Baths, is a bath complex in Budapest in Hungary. It is part of the famous Hotel Gellért in Buda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot tub</span> Large tub for hydrotherapy or pleasure

A hot tub is a large tub full of water used for hydrotherapy, relaxation or pleasure. Some have powerful jets for massage purposes. Hot tubs are sometimes also known as "spas" or by the trade name Jacuzzi. Hot tubs may be located outdoors or indoors.

A swimming machine, also known as a resistance swimming apparatus, is a self-contained device powered by a pump, designed to facilitate stationary swimming for athletes or recreational users. This can be achieved by either propelling water past the swimmer or providing support for the swimmer, either within a water environment or on dry land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automated pool cleaner</span> Type of vacuum cleaner for swimming pools

An automated pool cleaner is a vacuum cleaner that is designed to collect debris and sediment from swimming pools with minimal human intervention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swimming lessons</span> Teaching swimming

Swimming lessons are the process of learning to swim. In most countries there is a definition of a number of swimming levels that are reached in the process of the curriculum. The respective certificates of swimming tests are required for further training in aquatic abilities. Many countries have defined a minimum swimming level that children should reach by the end of primary education, in most cases with the help of school swimming classes being part of the normal curriculum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swimming pool sanitation</span>

Swimming pool sanitation is the process of ensuring healthy conditions in swimming pools. Proper sanitation is needed to maintain the visual clarity of water and to prevent the transmission of infectious waterborne diseases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drain (plumbing)</span> Vessel or conduit for unwanted water or waste liquids to be flumed away

A drain is the primary vessel or conduit for unwanted water or waste liquids to flow away, either to a more useful area, funnelled into a receptacle, or run into sewers or stormwater mains as waste discharge to be released or processed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adelaide Aquatic Centre</span> Indoor swimming pool complex in Adelaide, South Australia

The Adelaide Aquatic Centre is a complex of indoor heated swimming pools operated by the Adelaide City Council and located in the northernmost extent of the Adelaide Parklands in North Adelaide, Australia. It is located in the square of parkland bordered by Jeffcott Street, Barton Terrace West, Prospect Road and Fitzroy Terrace. There is a car park to the west whose entrance is off Jeffcott Street, but the entrance to the centre itself faces north, towards Fitzroy Terrace. The centre opened on 20 December 1969.

Sungod Recreation Centre is a recreation centre located in Delta, British Columbia. The facility contains four pools, a swirl pool, a sauna, a steam room, a weight room, an aerobic studio, and an ice rink. It also hosts swimming lessons including kids, teens, and lifeguard courses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swimming pool</span> Artificial water basin for swimming

A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, paddling pool, or simply pool, is a structure designed to hold water to enable swimming or other leisure activities. Pools can be built into the ground or built above ground, and may be found as a feature aboard ocean-liners and cruise ships. In-ground pools are most commonly constructed from materials such as concrete, natural stone, metal, plastic, composite or fiberglass, and can be of a custom size and shape or built to a standardized size, the largest of which is the Olympic-size swimming pool.

The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA) is a United States law named after Virginia Graeme Baker, who died after sustaining a pool suction-drain injury in June 2002, when the suction from a spa drain entrapped her under the water. It is incorporated as Title 14 of the U.S. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. This act became enforceable law on December 19, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swimming (sport)</span> Water-based sport

Swimming is an individual or team racing sport that requires the use of one's entire body to move through water. The sport takes place in pools or open water. Competitive swimming is one of the most popular Olympic sports, with varied distance events in butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle, and individual medley. In addition to these individual events, four swimmers can take part in either a freestyle or medley relay. A medley relay consists of four swimmers who will each swim a different stroke, ordered as backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle.

The instinctive drowning response is an instinctive reaction that occurs in humans, particularly in non-swimmers, when close to drowning. It is focused on attempting to keep the mouth above water to the exclusion of useful effort to attract help or self rescue, and is often not recognized by onlookers. The reaction is characterized by lateral arm movements, a vertical posture, tilting back the head, and inability to keep the mouth above the water or talk. The suppression of rational behavior by panic can also endanger swimmers attempting to rescue the victim.

Water safety refers to the procedures, precautions and policies associated with safety in, on, and around bodies of water, where there is a risk of injury or drowning. It has applications in several occupations, sports and recreational activities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre</span> Swimming pool complex in Melbourne, Australia

The Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre is a public swimming pool complex located on the corner of High Street and Edgar Street, Glen Iris, Melbourne, Australia. Built in the 1960s by Australian architects Kevin Borland and Daryl Jackson, the Swimming Centre is considered to be a fine example of Brutalist architecture. Originally built in 1927 as a municipal swimming baths, the facilities were renovated in 1967 by Borland and Jackson to accommodate for higher swimming participation numbers. It is named in honour of Prime Minister Harold Holt, the local member of parliament until his apparent drowning death while the facility was under construction.

Pool suction-drain injury, also known as suction entrapment, occurs when the drain of a wading pool, swimming pool, hot tub, or fountain sucks in a swimmer's jewelry, torso, limbs, hair or buttocks. In some cases of buttocks entrapment, victims are disemboweled. In the United States, 147 incidents were documented between 1985 and 2002 of which 36 were fatal. In 1982, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that five children were disemboweled by drains in wading pools and urged pools to install covers on drains.

References

  1. Borzo, Jeanette (2001-11-26). "Business Innovation Awards (A Special Report): Silver --- Poseidon Technologies Makes a Big Splash With Swimming Pool Monitoring System --- Computer System Saves Life of Drowning Teen --- In Big Pools, Lifeguards Can't Do It All". Wall Street Journal (Europe ed.). Brussels. p. 26. ISSN   0921-9986.
  2. Marinko, Paul (1 September 2005). "Underwater cameras save girl in swimming pool". The Guardian. Bangor, Wales. Retrieved Dec 30, 2015.
  3. The Spa of Bad Steben Strengthens its Security with Aimetis Symphony, Waterloo, ON (PRWEB) March 23, 2017
  4. Sentag Pool Safety System https://www.sentag.com/
  5. "Poseidon Technologies Unveils 'Computers That See' Using Breakthrough Computer Vision Software". Canada NewsWire. Toronto. 4 April 2001.
  6. High-tech tools can help lifeguards prevent drowning, By Sarah Sookman, CBC News, Jul 22, 2010
  7. Preventing Drowning Accidents Using Thermal Cameras, Soren Bonderup, Jonas Olsson, Lecture Notes in Computer Science book series (LNCS, volume 10073)
  8. City-owned pools to get security cameras to deter sexual predators, by Jeff Keele, Political Reporter, CTV News Winnipeg, Published Monday, October 17, 2016 12:34PM CST
  9. Jury Finds Rose Bowl Aquatic Center Liable for Abuse, By Rebecca Robledo, in Aquatics International, July 03, 2018