Drowning detection system explained

Drowning detection systems are video monitoring or camera 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].

Classification

Pool monitoring systems fall into two broad categories: Passive or Active. 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.^[4]

Passive systems

Passive system underwater cameras let lifeguards inspect multiple underwater views simultaneously from a single location.^{[5] [6]} 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.^{[7] [8]}

Notes and References

1. News: Europe. 0921-9986. 26. Borzo. Jeanette. 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. Brussels. 2001-11-26.
2. News: Underwater cameras save girl in swimming pool . Paul . Marinko . 1 September 2005 . The Guardian . Bangor, Wales . Dec 30, 2015.
3. The Spa of Bad Steben Strengthens its Security with Aimetis Symphony, Waterloo, ON (PRWEB) March 23, 2017
4. News: . 4 April 2001 . Poseidon Technologies Unveils 'Computers That See' Using Breakthrough Computer Vision Software . Canada NewsWire . Toronto.
5. High-tech tools can help lifeguards prevent drowning, By Sarah Sookman, CBC News, Jul 22, 2010
6. Preventing Drowning Accidents Using Thermal Cameras, Soren Bonderup, Jonas Olsson, Lecture Notes in Computer Science book series (LNCS, volume 10073)
7. 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
8. Jury Finds Rose Bowl Aquatic Center Liable for Abuse, By Rebecca Robledo, in, Aquatics International, July 03, 2018