biology daily - the biology and biochemistry encyclopedia
biology daily articles and research Encyclopedia Dictionary Forums biology research links Weblinks Pictures Articles Blogs Newsletter

Pool safety camera

There are three broad classes of pool safety cameras:

  • remote monitoring;
  • seeing aids for lifeguards;
  • cameras for automated drowning detection.

Remote monitoring is often less effective because of problems getting to the pool quickly enough to intervene. Remote monitoring includes the recording of video for insurance purposes, to prove that there was no negligence on the part of the pool operator, or the like (e.g. evidence of horseplay, drunkenness, etc., leading up to an incident, might reduce liability).

Seeing aids for lifeguards can help to see under water, or to monitor a facility from various viewpoints simultaneously.

Systems such as the "swimguard" are suitable for large waterparks, bathing complexes, etc., where a variety of different kinds of swimming baths are present.

Computerized drowning detection systems, such as Poseidon, DEWS (Drowning Early Warning System) are often limited to swim-only pools, and may be less effective in the chaotic environment of a wave pool, whirlpool, jacuzzi, or inner-tube ride.

The poseidon system has been installed and used in a number of indoor pools, but is not yet operational in any outdoor pool, wave pool, or whirlpool.

The DEWS was designed specifically for use in outdoor pools.

Swimguard was designed for use in:

  • moving water features;
  • wave pools;
  • fountains;
  • current channels;
  • all other areas of a large facility, including but not limited to swim pools.

The swimguard digitally records and stores all activity for future review. Recorded images are date-stamped for admissibility as legal evidence. Each lifeguard has a unique PIN (Personal Identifier Number) to log time and attentivity. The system also records lifeguard response to compliance signals.

The system is used for:

  • swim coaching;
  • lifeguard training;
  • claims management;
  • addressing the social misbehaviour of individual bathers, or groups of bathers;
  • liability reduction.

External links



07-14-2008 23:18:10
The contents of this article are licensed from Wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. How to see transparent copy
BiologyDaily.com 2005. Legal info   Privacy