Four more ALT Poolview installations in April

Whilst it is not unusual to for us to be regularly installing our Poolview Plus - Assisted Lifeguarding Technology Systems, it WAS unusual to install four different system configurations during April.

We installed :

• One system in a new build

• One retrofit system in an operational pool

• One during a refurbishment project

• One above water only system

If you are in London on 12th or 13th June, why not visit Elevate 2024 and look us up at stand F48

Poolview Ltd offer a turnkey solution - we take care of everything from start to finish

Poolview Ltd offers a rental option of around £900 per month which covers ALL costs for hardware and software maintenance.

Poolview Plus does not store any data in the cloud or in another country - all data is retained and controlled by you on site

Poolview Plus does NOT use or rely on WiFi

Poolview Ltd has a UK team of support engineers dedicated to your sites maintenance.

ALT Guidance Update

It was encouraging to see around 300 leisure professionals on line last week for the Assisted Lifeguard Technology Guidance Webinar presented by the RLSS UK

The industry guidance from CIMSPA, RLSS UK, Swim England, and UK Active was first published in January 2023 and had undergone a review, which considered the technological advances and the experience of those currently using technology in their swimming pools.

I thought it would be prudent to first congratulate members of the Guidance Working Group for their excellent work and I must say I felt a certain sense of pride of how much progress has been made since I managed to pull everyone together in November 2018 to kickstart the need for this guidance.

So here we are over five years later with guidance that actually keeps pace with the times!

Now is a good time for me to remind operators about the attributes and the uniqueness of our Poolview Plus Submersion Detection System

Poolview is the only system on the market that truly works alongside the Lifeguard in the symbiotic relationship of “Blended Lifeguarding”.

We have a pro-active rather than a reactive system, where we take the Lifeguard through a series of alerts which highlights to them swimmers who may be about to be in danger.

Lifeguards are given Additional Essential Vision, whereby ONE Lifeguard can have eyes on 100% of the pool water volume.

Lifeguards include the monitor view as part of their natural 20 scan.

Lifeguards react to developing situations via two “ look at me” alerts, which they can acknowledge or react to.

Lifeguards can see what is happening BEFORE a casualty reaches the bottom and becomes motionless!

Lifeguards are alerted of a possible incident when a body has been submerged below a certain depth for 10 seconds.

Lifeguards can recover a casualty 20 seconds sooner than many other Assisted Lifeguard Technologies.

In addition:

Poolview Ltd offer a turnkey solution - we take care of everything from start to finish

Poolview Ltd offers a rental option of £820 per month which covers ALL costs for hardware and software maintenance.

Poolview Plus does not store any data in the cloud or in another country - all data is retained and controlled by you on site

Poolview Plus does NOT use or rely on WiFi

Poolview Ltd has a UK team of support engineers dedicated to your sites maintenance.

Poolview Ltd are launching an above water only camera detection system at this years Elevate exhibition

Please do contact me (Robin) directly on +44 7768746789 if you have any questions or queries

Poolview Upgrade Month

10 years ago we installed a standard Poolview System in Godalming Leisure Centre. This month we have been back, upgrading this system and its three sister sites to Poolview Plus with Iris Detection.

When we were designing our detection system for Assisted Lifeguarding Technology (ALT), it was important for us to be able to use our existing system architecture and be able to utilise some of the existing equipment.

We pride ourselves in our after sales support and maintenance response, which is second to none in the UK.

Any system failures are normally rectified within 72 hours and more often than not within 48 hours by our UK based engineering team.

An essential prerequisite for all busy pool managers and often overlooked during system evaluations.

Our Poolview Plus system is without doubt the best, for those that wish to take the “Blended Lifeguarding” approach.

If you are interested in an upgrade OR installing ALT for the first time, why not give us a call and discuss our various packages and payment plans?

Poolview Exhibiting at Elevate 23 on 14th & 15th June - Excel - London

Looking forward to meeting old friends and clients as well as making some new ones at this year Elevate Exhibition in the Excel Arena in London. If you are about, call and say hello, it will be great to see you.

Always a great show and it’s great to showcase where we are with assisted lifeguarding technology.

#supportinglifeguards #blendedlifeguarding

This is a Pool View we Love!

Delighted that this view now accounts for almost 50% of our business. Niches installed in the pool walls for a future Poolview Automated Monitoring and Detection system.

Going back to when we started our business just over 10 years ago, it was a couple of years before we were asked to install in a new-build project.

Thankfully this is becoming more and more the “norm” as Pool Operators understand and appreciate the benefits of a Blended Lifeguarding approach.

Currently we have over 15 new build projects in the pipeline which is very encouraging.

We will update you as they all progress

Upgrading to Poolview Plus

Upgrading from Standard Poolview monitoring to Poolview Plus with Detection

The first month of 2023 continues with no less that FOUR standard Poolview Systems being upgraded to Poolview Plus.

These Standard Poolview systems were originally installed in 2015, three years before we released our first version of Poolview Plus (an automatic monitoring and detection system).

Whilst Standard Poolview had served us well, the advancement of technology meant that detection systems and “Blended Lifeguarding” would be the future for some time.

Before we designed Poolview Plus, on the list was the need for it to be modular and have the ability to integrate with all the passive monitoring systems we had already installed.

So thankfully, we can normally don’t need to replace cables, cameras and hardware etc. just some reconfiguration, add a new “brain”, tidy up and then tune up the Ai.

A busy month and a busy time ahead with new builds, retro-fits and upgrades throughout 2023

Swimming Pool operator guidance for Automated Monitoring & Detection Systems

Download the Guidance

In June 2022 whilst exhibiting at Elevate, (which is the UK’s largest trade show dedicated to fitness, sport and physical activity), we had previously lobbied hard for some seminar space to highlight and discuss “Blended Lifeguarding” a technique which combines the traditional methods of pool supervision, safety and rescue with technology driven drowning detection and prevention systems.

With a seven strong panel (chaired by Andy Read) Link to video and a packed audience, the seminar kicked off the need to produce guidance for pool operators wishing to use Automated Monitoring and Detection systems such as ours.

In just six months the guidance was finalised with contributions from some talented industry experts and finally “rubber stamped” by CIMSPA, the RLSS UK, Swim England and UK Active.

The full guidance can be downloaded here.

It was a privilege to be involved in some small way with this and a HUGE thanks to Andy Read, Alan Ritchie, Ben Beevers, Richard Lamburn, Ian Ogivie and last but not least Jo Talbot. (The Elevate Seven) for all their efforts and support.

The future is brighter for Lifeguards and Pool Operators alike.

GLL reveal Poolview as their preferred DDT Supplier

Poolview Plus with Iris Ai - the UK’s preferred Submersion Detection and Drowning Prevention System

Poolview Ltd are so delighted to announce that following a lengthy selection process, GLL have appointed us as their nominated supplier of Drowning Detection Technology for their swimming pools.

Greenwich Leisure Ltd, operating under the brand "Better", is a non-profit charitable Social Enterprise organisation which runs over 250 sport and leisure facilities and libraries on behalf of local authorities in London and across the UK

Poolview Limited have pioneered the development of a “Blended Lifeguarding” solution and with our approach to submersion detection and drowning prevention.

We are very excited about this new partnership and are very much looking forward to cementing this relationship over the coming months and years.

Commissioning Day Madness

📷 Ben Matthews

Commissioning Day - which on new builds is always a moveable feast - can be a testing day!

It’s the little things that can rock the boat as the contractor tries to juggle with everyones requirements.

We almost got tripped up by a carpet - literally! Followed the contractors requests as directed - unfortunately - the carpet layers had put a 24hour embargo on entering a particular zone where we need to get!

Thanks to the ingenuity of our team - commissioning was achieved “Mission Impossible” style. Well done!

The commissioning team will be busy again next week at yet another new build pool, introducing ”Blended Lifeguarding” to even more Lifeguard Chairs, Lifeguards and another 50m Swimming Pool.

Blended Lifeguarding is a technique which combines the traditional 10:20 scanning methods of pool supervision, safety and rescue with technology driven drowning detection and prevention systems. This creates a working practice which harmonises the best capabilities of each to produce a safer swimming environment for all.

Don’t forget the new Online Learning Module for Poolview Plus is Now Live

The CPD session is designed for Lifeguards working in a swimming pool with our technology, or for those who want to find out more about this technology system; and was jointly created by the RLSSUK and Poolview.

Find it in your RLSS UK tahdah account https://rlssuk.tahdah.me/account/login

#supportinglifeguards #blendedlifeguarding #thisisnotagame

Poolview team in daring rescue of Lifeguard Chairs

📷 Ian Pickering and Ben Matthews

For the second week in a row, our installations teams have safely secured four newly born Lifeguard Chairs from a lonely life of existence and partnered them up with spanking new Poolview “Blended Lifeguarding” Monitors.

On this 50m pool installation, workmen had tried to cleverly hide this new and unwrapped specimen in amongst the safety barriers.

Fortunately our teams consist of highly trained individuals, who quickly saw through the workmen’s ruse!

Our install teams will be busy again next week at another new build pool, introducing ”Blended Lifeguarding” to even more Lifeguard Chairs, Lifeguards and another 50m Swimming Pool.

Blended Lifeguarding is a technique which combines the traditional 10:20 scanning methods of pool supervision, safety and rescue with technology driven drowning detection and prevention systems. This creates a working practice which harmonises the best capabilities of each to produce a safer swimming environment for all.

Good luck N Ireland on your long overdue re-opening!

Don’t forget the new Online Learning Module for Poolview Plus is Now Live

The CPD session is designed for Lifeguards working in a swimming pool with our technology, or for those who want to find out more about this technology system; and was jointly created by the RLSSUK and Poolview.

Find it in your RLSS UK tahdah account https://rlssuk.tahdah.me/account/login

#supportinglifeguards #blendedlifeguarding #thisisnotagame

Poolview - Rescuing Lonely Lifeguard Chairs

📷 Ben Matthews

One of our favourite tasks is to partner up lonely lifeguard chairs with Poolview “Blended Lifeguarding” Monitors for life!

Our install teams are out busy on the road introducing ”Blended Lifeguarding” to even more Lifeguard Chairs, Lifeguards and Swimming Pools. Two “retro-fit” installations signed off this week already and on-site in this nearly completed new build facility today!

Blended Lifeguarding is a technique which combines the traditional 10:20 scanning methods of pool supervision, safety and rescue with technology driven drowning detection and prevention systems. This creates a working practice which harmonises the best capabilities of each to produce a safer swimming environment for all.

Looking forward to getting the rest of the UK up and running!

Don’t forget the new Online Learning Module for Poolview Plus is Now Live

The CPD session is designed for Lifeguards working in a swimming pool with our technology, or for those who want to find out more about this technology system; and was jointly created by the RLSSUK and Poolview.

Find it in your RLSS UK tahdah account https://rlssuk.tahdah.me/account/login

#supportinglifeguards #blendedlifeguarding #thisisnotagame

Poolview Blended Lifeguarding Installs Continue

📷 Ben Matthews

12th April has now happened with the majority of pools having re-opened.

Our install teams are out busy on the road introducing ”Blended Lifeguarding” to even more swimming pools.

Blended Lifeguarding is a technique which combines the traditional 10:20 scanning methods of pool supervision, safety and rescue with technology driven drowning detection and prevention systems. This creates a working practice which harmonises the best capabilities of each to produce a safer swimming environment for all.

Looking forward to getting Scotland and Wales and N Ireland back up and running!

Don’t forget the new Online Learning Module for Poolview Plus is Now Live

The CPD session is designed for Lifeguards working in a swimming pool with our technology, or for those who want to find out more about this technology system; and was jointly created by the RLSSUK and Poolview.

Find it in your RLSS UK tahdah account https://rlssuk.tahdah.me/account/login

#supportinglifeguards #blendedlifeguarding #thisisnotagame

Poolview & RLSS UK collaborate for Online Learning

It has been great to part of this project with the Royal Life Saving Society UK - RLSS UK - developing a CPD module for Lifeguards which is tailored precisely for Poolview Limited technology!

The new Online Learning Module is Now Live

The session is designed for Lifeguards working in a swimming pool with Poolview Plus technology, or for those who want to find out more about this technology system; and was jointly created by the RLSSUK and Poolview.

Find it in your RLSS UK tahdah account https://rlssuk.tahdah.me/account/login

Content

The session designed for Lifeguards working in a swimming pool with Poolview Plus technology, or for those who want to find out more about this technology system.

The module contains learning checks throughout, with a competency assessment at the end. On successful completion learners will have access to a certificate.

Cost

£5.00

CPD point value

0.50 (30 minutes)

Access

The module is within the RLSS UK tahdah platform, click on ‘Award & Training’ then ‘Online Learning. 

·       If you have a tahdah account click here https://rlssuk.tahdah.me/account/login

·       If you don’t have a tahdah account click here https://rlssuk.tahdah.me/account/registernew (If you have been a member or have been issued a certificate from us, you will have a Society Number. This Society Number can be found on your certificate or on any membership communication (it begins with a 3)).

·       If you are still struggling to claim your account please use our online chat on the tahdah website or view our how-to guide here https://intercom.help/RLSSUK/en/articles/3793219-how-to-access-your-account

Access for multiple employees

Payment can be made for multiple employees by:

·       Credit card

·       Purchase Order

To place an order for multiple employees the following will need to be completed:

1.     Each employee must have a current RLSS UK tahdah account

2.     Complete the table overleaf with detail from employees tahdah account 

3.     Attach a Purchase Order and send it with the completed table to mail@iql.org.uk

Triple "Blended Lifeguarding" commission week

📷 Ben Matthews

Easter 2021 has passed and once again our install teams are out on the road introducing ”Blended Lifeguarding” to more swimming pools.

Blended Lifeguarding is a technique which combines the traditional 10:20 scanning methods of pool supervision, safety and rescue with technology driven drowning detection and prevention systems. This creates a working practice which harmonises the best capabilities of each to produce a safer swimming environment for all.

Frantic week for everyone in England as they work towards another relaunch on 12th April.

Scotland and Wales need to wait a little longer and as yet N Ireland has unfortunately no date at all!

#supportinglifeguards #blendedlifeguarding #thisisnotagame

Blended Lifeguarding Explained

For the sake of argument and to help illustrate a concept, please indulge me and accept that Lifeguarding and Drowning Detection Technology (DDT) are in fact two separate biological species with entirely different DNA.

Challenging start to an article right there, but please hang on in and I will elucidate!

Our Lifeguard species can function and survive on its own without any trouble - it has for many decades - whilst there is a constant improvement, its DNA remains unchanged and unaffected. This species lives around the edges of swimming pools and has a complex and challenging existence. It does venture into the swimming pool water itself occasionally and always without any prior warning.

Our second species is a little known one called DDT. Only discovered a little over 20 years ago. It can live independently and quite happily in swimming pools without causing any trouble. It has one role in life and it will alarm as required autonomously without any input or assistance from other species. It can be temperamental and sometimes I do compare it to the less intelligent of my two Border Collie dogs Dennis. Dennis you see has a tendency to bark like mad without actually knowing what he is barking at!! Usually he has been set up by his brother Dexter who happened to spot the postman and knows exactly why he is barking!

So, we now have our two species!

Let us proceed

What if our two species have developed a Symbiotic Relationship a Symbiosis? 

The definition of Symbiosis is a close relationship between two species in which at least one species benefits. For the other species, the relationship may be positive, negative, or neutral. 

With careful nurturing over the last four years our two species have developed their relationship into a positive one of Mutualism which is a symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit. 

Blind shrimp and goby; one of the ocean’s most interesting partnerships

A good example of mutualism involves goby fish and shrimp. The nearly blind shrimp and the fish spend most of their time together. The shrimp maintains a burrow in the sand in which both the fish and shrimp live. When a predator comes near, the fish touches the shrimp with its tail as a warning. Then, both fish and shrimp retreat to the burrow until the predator is gone. From their relationship, the shrimp gets a warning of approaching danger. The fish gets a safe retreat and a place to lay its eggs.

You following me so far?

The blind shrimp is our Lifeguard

The fish is our Drowning Detection Technology  

Put them together and they become stronger, safer and more reliable as a partnership - this is the holistic approach of “Blended Lifeguarding”

In March 2017, I had been looking for a word or a key phrase to describe what we had when Lifeguards and Technology worked together in harmony, but I just couldn’t quite grab the right terminology or possess creative enough thinking to ‘work it out’.

I had written a couple of articles, “I don’t want my Lifeguards to rely on technology” and “Technology & Lifeguards - Water & Oil” which expressed my thinking at the time, but I couldn’t articulate my concept without using a group of ten or more words that would communicate or describe my thinking! 

Then out of the blue, up stepped Andy Read from Places Leisure who called me and gifted me the phrase ‘Blended Lifeguarding’ 

Andy (whom I now refer to as the “Godfather of Blended Lifeguarding”) then helped me define the definition as follows:- 

Blended Lifeguarding is a technique which combines the traditional 10:20 scanning methods of pool supervision, safety and rescue with technology driven drowning detection and prevention systems. This creates a working practice which harmonises the best capabilities of each to produce a safer swimming environment for all.

In 2017 when I was reflecting upon this, I was reminded of a methodology that was produced in the late 90’s by the then ISRM called the “Integrated Management System” for Leisure Centres. Simple idea - involved a fair bit of work to get it set up and get running - but worked well. 

In simplistic terms, it utilised much of what we already did on site and of course knew, but it blended our knowledge and work practices and integrated everything together to produce an efficient and effective management framework.

I said at the time. “it really does not take much imagination to realise that we mustn’t separate the two resources that we can have on poolside i.e. well trained lifeguards and drowning prevention technology. There is a good marriage to be had there”

Fast forward four years to present day and I realise that when I take my rose tinted spectacles off - we have only just crossed the chasm and are moving into the “Early Majority” phase as far as detection is concerned and I am asking myself why?

Just three days ago a comment was dropped onto another post I had written about our failure to future proof ALL of our new build swimming pools for drowning detection. It read:-

“This is something I know little about but makes sense. Clearly, the local authorities have not included anti drown cameras (I know that's not what they're called, but that's what they are) are not including them in the spec and none of the bidders know enough about the challenger sale methodology to capitalise on this.”

The penny dropped for me then. I realised that in general terms - everyone “to the right of the chasm” more than likely saw Drowning Detection Technology as a stand alone item - great to have but……..

The integration of DDT into a swimming pools DNA as part of a balanced approach has not been understood nor appreciated.

When considering whether or not to include DDT it was a very black and white choice and it was generally rejected (dare I say it by uninformed luddite decision makers within the scheme) because there are (thankfully) so few drownings in UK pools, it seems expensive, we don’t have a deep pool, our lifeguards are the best trained, we have never had a drowning etc. etc. etc. and of course - we are already over budget!!

The benefits of inclusion were not considered nor understood - put simply, in their eyes - if drownings in swimming pools are such a rarity, then there is not much benefit in including DDT as it might never happen and its only going to be an unnecessary cost!

Considering DDT in isolation instead of as a part of a management solution will end in a negative way.

So let’s have a look at those local authorities and companies who have embraced the Blended Lifeguarding approach - why have they?

1. Without “beating around the bush” - increasing swimmer safety and supporting your Lifeguards is written down as everyones top driver (you can’t put anything else top really). Swimmer safety heads customer service!

2. Is ALWAYS to improve efficiency. This can be dressed up in many ways (it should be noted that efficiency does not always mean reduction but can also be about controlling numbers), but in essence it means if DDT is installed there is an opportunity for the system to pay for itself within 18months, everything after that is a saving! 

3. DDT offers flexibility to the management team to develop their program and lifeguards in a way that ensures No.1 is still No.1 and No.2 is achievable.

4. If we don’t install DDT we can’t do No.1, No.2 and No.3 we are stuck with a rectangular pool and the same way of managing it that has always been.

5. Drownings are a rarity in UK public swimming pools - Immersion Events caused by a medical event have increased and are difficult for humans to detect  - computers provide the additional support Lifeguards need 

6. Whilst we still see an “Immersion Event” as unlikely and should it NEVER happen we will still have a Blended Lifeguarding system that covers all of the above!

Lifeguard Robots May Be Coming to A Pool Near You

In the not too distant future,  DDT will be built into every pool, like a smoke detector is in a new house.

DDT will be part of the Building Management System

There will be two distinct methods for managing safety in swimming pools - with and without DDT

Lifeguards will not want to Lifeguard unless there is DDT support

How we Lifeguard will evolve in a positive way

It will be deemed negligent NOT to include DDT in a swimming pool

When I left Local Authority Leisure in 2009 to get involved in Safer Swimming Technology, I used to ask “if you could have this for nothing - would you want it?” I never ever received a negative answer.

Here we are twelve years later - if you embrace the “Blended Lifeguarding” approach, you can as good as have it for nothing, improve your efficiencies and most importantly of all, increase swimmer safety whilst supporting your Lifeguards 

Turbidity - Can you see clearly Now?

Standing on the deck of your pool,  looking down - you can see your 50p and its heads - the water is sparkling - crystal clear you think.

Perhaps not!

Your water is sh*t, I have been heard to say! Sometimes the incredulous look from the Manager as he/she says “but my water readings are perfect, Free Chlorine is 1.5ppm (mg/l) my combined is 0.5 and my total 2.0 - how can that be?” 

Often at this stage the Manager usually gets quite defensive (as well as a little hurt)

I often thought that maintaining pool water was a little bit of a “black art”, it takes someone with a keen interest in water chemistry, a sound knowledge of the plant room and of course well trained.

It’s the sign of the times that so very few swimming pools have their own dedicated “plant man” much of the duties fall into the laps of the already over stretched Duty Managers who may only “tip a nod” to the pool and do the water tests as trained.

So it is not so surprising that there are not so many on site who are well informed about turbidity (how many sites have a turbidity meter?)

So to try and help explain a little more about turbidity in layman's language and WHY we sometimes can’t see through water, I asked two acknowledged  experts in their field and co-hosts of Poolcast The Swimming Pool Podcast , Robin Mitchell and Ian Ogilvie to join a  session with View from the Pool to enlighten, educate and entertain  us all.

Glad to say, we ticked all three boxe

Manny Kin loves commissioning Days

📷 Ben Matthews

Walking the manikin

Manny has been working plenty of overtime this week as we put our newly installed systems through their paces.

In the middle of one of our busiest weeks ever, this standard manikin gets used extensively as we conduct our initial installation tests.

By the end of this week we will have introduced six more pools and countless Lifeguards to the benefits of Blended Lifeguarding and in the process, hopefully changing lives and making a difference.

Exciting times at the moment as swimming pools begin their preparation for re-opening in England. Hopefully Scotland, Wales and N Ireland will follow on quickly behind and we can begin the next stage of discovering the new normal! We will be there as always - supporting lifeguards!

Friday 50 Metre - Third new build of the Week

📷 All byBen Matthews

It’s fair to say it has been a bit of an intense but satisfying week as one our teams were deployed to attend three of our new build sites which, are all at various stages of completion.

We are currently involved in around 30 new build schemes, ranging from planning to near completion and this next 4 - 8 weeks will see six of these open to the public for the first time.

Two have been handed over during this last lockdown period and are waiting patiently for their first swimmers.

New swimming pools galore!

Sometime in the not too distant future ALL new UK builds will feature safer swimming technology

#supportinglifeguards #blendedlifeguarding #swimengland #sportengland #ukactive #thisisnotagame

Poolview - second of three new builds this week!

📷 All by Ben Matthews

Busy week again - Wednesday was a day of frustration as they were not just quite as ready for us as we had hoped.

This is the second site of three new builds we are on this week and these always brings their own challenges

We are still very much seen as the new boys on the block on this particular contractor has they have never done anything like this before.

Other contractors are very familiar - but as “Blended Lifeguarding” pushes deeper into the main stream the more familiar everyone will become.

As you can see from the cabling this one is a bog old system altogether.

Another few weeks to go yet!

#swimmingpool #swimmingpooldesign #architects #sportengland #buildingdesign #buildingmanagement #supportinglifeguards #blendedlifeguarding #futureproofing #building #thisisnotagame #cimspa #lifeguards #swimmingpools #drowningprevention #drowning #leisureindustry #leisuresector

Poolview - It's just another new build Monday!

📷 Ben Matthews

When we started Poolview in 2012, being specified in a new build project was a rarity but always most welcome.

Fast forward nine years and new build projects account for a significantly higher percentage of our work flow.

We are currently involved in 30+ new build projects which are all as varying degrees of advancement.

The pool featured here has the commissioning team on site again today, tidying up a few loose ends.

Proud to be a part of it.

#supportinglifeguards #blendedlifeguarding #thisisnotagame