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WISHLIST
Imagine having an extra set of eyes that never blinks, never gets distracted, and can detect subtle signs of drowning even before they become obvious to the human eye.
Now imagine that capability being available across every aquatic environment – from local swimming pools to beaches and even premier Olympic water events.
This is no longer science fiction – AI-powered systems are already being deployed at swimming facilities worldwide, becoming an almost invaluable assistant to the work of human lifeguards.
Think of sophisticated systems that use standard security cameras combined with advanced algorithms to monitor swimming areas at all times – instantly alerting lifeguards when potential dangers arise. Innovative new technologies can recognize patterns associated with drowning or distress, overcrowding in specific areas, and even identify underwater hazards.
The future is here – and here at Kemp USA, we’re fascinated with the latest technologies that are helping lifeguards and other life-saving professionals do their jobs better. But is the technology all it’s cracked up to be? And could AI potentially replace lifeguards completely? (Hint: not yet.)
You’ve probably interacted with AI systems in some shape or form by now. There are algorithms learning and adapting behind almost any type of digital tool we use today – and the release of ChatGPT has rocketed AI into our regular conversation.
But it’s the tech behind these incredible systems that holds such promise for water rescue. Through a combination of computer vision, deep learning, and behavioral analysis, AI brings some pretty impressive tools to the industry:
Cameras positioned above and sometimes below the water capture real-time footage of the entire swimming area – a constant vigilance that can alert lifeguards and other staff to any unusual activity that might be dangerous.
Unlike human eyes that naturally scan back and forth, these digital sentinels observe everything simultaneously, taking in the data and analyzing it simultaneously. This helps to create a comprehensive view of the aquatic environment that even teams of lifeguards can struggle to manage!
AI algorithms analyze this footage, identifying swimmers and tracking their movements. The system learns to recognize normal swimming behaviors versus signs of distress.
This is where the power of machine learning is key – the more data these systems process, the better they become at distinguishing between a swimmer who is playing and one who is in genuine danger.
This “learning” at such a rapid pace means that the worst these systems will ever be is today - they’ll only continue to grow more effective.
That learning pays off quickly! When the AI detects a potential problem – such as a swimmer showing signs of drowning, a child venturing into deep water, or dangerous water conditions – it immediately alerts lifeguards.
These systems can detect incidents in as little as 10 seconds, dramatically reducing response time in situations where every moment matters.
Alerts are sent directly to lifeguards' smartwatches, providing the exact location of the incident and sometimes even categorizing the level of emergency.
For instance, some systems use color coding – blue for advisory alerts (like overcrowding), yellow for potential distress situations, and red for dangerous submersion events that require immediate intervention.
Companies like Lynxight and SightBit have pioneered these technologies, creating systems that are already saving lives at facilities from Israel to the UAE and spreading to pools across the United States, Canada, and the UK.
SightBit's technology can monitor up to 300 meters of shoreline with a single camera, while Lynxight's pool monitoring system has been implemented in leisure centers throughout the United Kingdom after successful six-month trials.
So far we’ve looked at the most obvious spot where AI can help in water safety – the swimming pool. But this technology can help enhance water safety and rescue in nearly any aquatic environment – which is good when different environments create different needs.
The consistent monitoring of lake or ocean beaches presents one of the most complex challenges in water safety. Vast areas, changing tides, unpredictable currents, and variable visibility make traditional lifeguarding extremely challenging. At coastal beaches, AI systems can revolutionize safety operations by:
Identifying rip currents and dangerous surf conditions: Advanced algorithms can detect the telltale patterns of rip currents by analyzing water flow and surface disturbances, providing early warnings before these dangerous conditions claim victims.
Monitoring vast stretches of shoreline: While a human lifeguard can effectively monitor only a limited area, AI-powered camera systems can simultaneously cover hundreds of meters of coastline, dramatically extending the protected swimming area.
Detecting swimmers who venture too far from shore: The systems can establish virtual boundaries and alert lifeguards when swimmers cross these thresholds, potentially preventing dangerous situations before they develop.
Tracking multiple swimmers simultaneously: AI doesn't get overwhelmed even on the busiest beach days. It can track hundreds of individuals in the water, maintaining vigilance regardless of crowd size.
Activating emergency responses: The most advanced systems can not only alert lifeguards but also activate automatic speakers to warn swimmers of dangers, illuminate spotlights on distressed swimmers, or even deploy drones carrying life preservers to people in immediate danger – providing crucial support until human rescuers arrive.
In Israel, SightBit's technology has already proven its value by successfully identifying a father and son caught in a riptide off the Tel Aviv coast, notifying lifeguards before the situation became critical. Now, these systems are being deployed in the UAE to enhance beach safety in a region known for its luxury coastal resorts and water-based tourism.
The high-energy, high-volume environment of waterparks presents unique safety challenges. Waterslides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and other attractions can create complex environments where quick action may not be possible due to limitations in sight.
When it comes to waterparks, traditional lifeguarding techniques are stretched to their limits. In these environments, AI can bridge the gaps pretty impressively:
Monitoring multiple attractions simultaneously: AI systems can integrate feeds from dozens of cameras throughout a waterpark, creating a unified safety monitoring system that covers every pool, slide, and water feature.
Detection of overcrowding or bottlenecks: By analyzing crowd density and movement patterns, the technology can alert managers to potential overcrowding issues before they create dangerous situations, allowing for better guest flow management.
Identification of rule violations: The AI can be trained to recognize unsafe behaviors – such as running on slippery surfaces, entering restricted areas, or attempting stunts on waterslides – and alert staff before accidents occur.
Analytics for optimizing staff placement: Over time, these systems gather valuable data about when and where incidents most frequently occur, allowing waterpark operators to strategically position lifeguards and safety personnel where they're most likely needed.
Enhanced response to emergencies: When incidents occur, the technology can instantly alert the nearest staff member while notifying emergency medical personnel, potentially shaving precious seconds off response times.
For waterpark operators, these systems represent enhanced safety, potential operational efficiencies, and liability reduction – powerful incentives for adoption in an industry where safety is paramount to business success.
Community and municipal pools serve diverse populations – from young children learning to swim to seniors engaging in aquatic exercise – and most public pools are forced to maintain rigorous safety standards with limited budgets. AI can help here as well:
Heat mapping of pool usage: The technology generates detailed analytics showing which pool areas are most heavily used during different times of day, allowing operators to optimize lifeguard positioning and resource allocation.
Alerts for unauthorized access: During closed hours, these systems can function as security tools, detecting and alerting staff to unauthorized pool access – a critical feature for preventing unsupervised swimming, which accounts for many pool fatalities.
Detection of potential drowning incidents: Public pools often have varied visibility conditions and high bather loads, making drowning detection challenging. AI systems can continuously monitor every corner of the pool, even in less-than-ideal visibility conditions.
Data collection for operational improvements: Beyond immediate safety benefits, these systems provide valuable insights into usage patterns, helping facilities better schedule programs, staffing, and maintenance to serve their communities more effectively.
Enhanced inclusive safety: The technology can be configured to provide extra monitoring for areas where vulnerable populations, such as children or individuals with disabilities, are swimming, ensuring appropriate safety coverage for all pool users.
Organizations like the Royal Life Saving Society UK have recognized just how important these technologies can be, partnering with companies like Lynxight to bring AI-enhanced safety to public pools throughout Britain.
After rigorous testing and adaptation to meet the specific needs of UK pool operators, these systems are now being installed in an increasing number of community facilities.
AI is already changing the face of life-saving activity – but what does it offer before lifeguards hit the water? Artificial intelligence is also being incorporated into training and equipment, which holds promise for equipping water rescue teams with even more tools to help them do their jobs.
Traditional lifeguard training has always been limited by the difficulty of safely simulating genuine emergencies. But what if you could create near-life-like scenarios that put the trainee in situations where they must react and respond fast?
AI can help enhance training by:
Creating immersive, realistic drowning scenarios that challenge trainees to identify victims showing authentic signs of distress
Simulating various environmental conditions – such as overly crowded pools or rough seas – that lifeguards might encounter
Providing immediate feedback on response times and rescue techniques
Allowing trainees to practice high-pressure decision-making in a safe environment
These VR training systems can be programmed to present increasingly complex scenarios as lifeguards improve, ensuring continuous skill development without risk. The systems can also track performance metrics over time, identifying areas where additional training might be beneficial.
The integration of artificial intelligence extends beyond monitoring and training to the rescue equipment itself – a major innovation we at Kemp USA are keeping an eye on. Some of the latest integrations of equipment and AI include:
Smart rescue tubes that track deployment and recovery times
Buoys with integrated sensors that can detect and report water conditions
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) with AI-guided instructions that adapt based on the victim's condition
Rescue boards with embedded navigation systems to help lifeguards reach victims more quickly in open water
It’s easy to get caught up in the novelty and excitement around AI that we fail to ask the most important question: will the technology replace human professionals? Many individuals across industries are seeing their roles change due to AI’s capabilities – and not all are happy about the innovation.
However, there’s always going to be a role to play by human lifeguards. AI systems aren't meant to replace human lifeguards – they're designed to make them more effective. They come alongside professionals to help them do their jobs better and, most importantly, reduce the risk to everyone involved.
This partnership between human judgment and technology represents the ideal approach to water safety. AI excels at continuous monitoring and pattern recognition, and human lifeguards bring critical thinking, physical rescue capabilities, and the emotional intelligence needed to manage emergency situations.
This framing is crucial – the AI systems assist and enhance human capabilities rather than attempting to replace the irreplaceable human elements of water rescue.
These aren't just theoretical benefits. As we’ve seen in the examples above, there are already AI-powered lifeguarding tools demonstrating value in real-world scenarios:
The technology has successfully identified swimmers caught in riptides at Tel Aviv beaches, allowing for early intervention before the situation became life-threatening.
In pool facilities across the UK, AI systems have alerted lifeguards to potential drowning incidents before they became critical, reducing response times and potentially saving lives.
Pool operators are gaining valuable insights into usage patterns, helping them allocate resources more effectively and identify potential safety concerns before incidents occur.
The Royal Life Saving Society Australia reports that last year, there were 8,000 lifeguard rescues at public pools, but tragically, six drowning deaths and an estimated 18 non-fatal drownings still occurred. Every lifeguard detection and response improvement represents an opportunity to reduce these numbers further, potentially saving lives that might otherwise be lost.
At Kemp USA, we're excited about AI's possibilities for water safety. While we've been providing top-quality traditional lifeguarding equipment for years, we recognize that the future lies in thoughtful integration tools like AI alongside the irreplaceable human elements of courage, training, and quick thinking.
As we brainstorm the future of water safety, we're focused on how technology can minimize human error while maximizing precision and response time – especially critical when someone's life is at risk.
We believe the perfect safety system combines the best of both worlds: the unwavering vigilance of AI with the judgment, empathy, and heroism of well-trained lifeguards.
As we head into pool season, we'd love to hear your thoughts on the future of water safety. Are you a lifeguard or pool manager interested in how AI might change your job? Have you seen these technologies in actionWhat excites or concerns you about these developments? Let us know – and as always, trust Kemp USA as your go-to manufacturer and wholesaler for the EMS, Lifeguard, and Swim industries!
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