Technology and Lifeguarding – Water and Oil

Here's the thing – as the inclusion of Drowning Prevention Systems (DPS) within swimming pools becomes more “normal” and accepted as good working practice, I’m still always asked what others opinions are about making use of technology to facilitate lifeguarding and can you really mix the two?

Lifeguarding and Technology – some dichotomy? Sitting in the sun today pondering this conundrum, wondering if there is anything I can assimilate it with?  Maybe not exactly but let me tell you a true story……

‘Many’ years ago, I had the audacity to buy the 1st ever PC within my local authority – not just into leisure, but the whole Council – period! The animosity, incredulous talk and bewildered expressions I found to be amazing.

“What do you want one of THOSE things for?” I was repeatedly asked. “Well I can type up my own memos for starters” I replied.

“Forget it, we are sticking to the traditional method of dictation, playback and type up, offer for edit and re-type the page – what’s wrong with that? It will never catch on!” Now as for spreadsheets – finance nearly had a “blue fit!” Rolling the eyes skyward and muttering about the abacus.

Just to bring total anarchy to the Council, I ordered a phone line from BT to bring in a taste of the internet (well that will never catch on either – what a waste of time and money!)

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So what’s my point? I think that history shows us that change, the introduction of any new working practices which involve or require technology invariably meets with general indifference, scepticism and resistance by the majority. It takes time for the abnormal to become normal. It takes time for technology integration to become accepted. I wonder is that where we are with Lifeguarding and the use of Technology?

My “gut feel” at the moment is that the majority (although in ever decreasing numbers) believe that Lifeguarding and Technology use is an either/or question to be answered.
 “Shall we use Lifeguards or Technology?” Oil and Water? They can’t be mixed remember! And so – therein lies the problem, as they can!  

Unfortunately, many within the leisure industry believe that it is only one choice, or the other. Few recognise the “fusion” opportunity. Few recognise or understand that the use of technology (whatever platform or type that may be) is in fact an “additional tool” for the lifeguards.

It is an ‘additional layer of protection’.  It is an opportunity to increase safety, introduce efficiencies AND enhance your Lifeguards capabilities.

Technology for Lifeguards is here to stay. You would not believe the number of new build pools in the last 12 months where we have gone to site the day after hand-over and had to drill holes in a new pool to retro fit a system.

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Many builders/designers and leisure operators said they considered technology two years ago and rejected inclusion. It is almost criminal these days to build a new pool and NOT include at the very least the containment to fit some sort of system in the future.

So, as I finish off this article on my iPad, I reflect on my comments when they first came out – what would I want with one of those – just a glorified iPhone – how wrong I was!  It’s not just about the iPad – it’s about what others have added to it, to add value and increase its functionality, much like including infrastructure in a new pool.  Others will follow and bring better and better systems and technology to enhance your pools safety and lifeguard capability.

We aim to be to stay at the forefront and continue to make a difference!  Don’t just take our word for it. #makingadifference #saferswimmingsystems

"I don't want my Lifeguards to rely on technology!"

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I was on a poolside today, the oldest operational pool that exists in the UK today I am advised.

It opened in 1888. I wonder did the person who dreamt that crazy idea up ever think then where we would all be now?  The public wash house turning into a place of recreational activity!

We sure have come a long way!

Lifeguarding and swimmer safety has moved with the times and advances in qualifications and training techniques, promoted by organisations like the RLSS have surely saved many a life.

The tools of technology have also advanced, particularly in the last few years. The role of the Lifeguard can be helped – “tooled up” so to speak.

“I don’t want my Lifeguards to rely on technology”

Surprisingly enough, in this day and age with all the advances in technology this is a typical response from a thankfully decreasing number of leisure managers.

When I recently attended a meeting to discuss the use of technology to assist lifeguards when performing their duties, this sadly was one of the predictable responses I was up against. 

In contrast, my very next meeting, perhaps less than 50 miles away, I am told “Robin – do you see by 2020 – there is not going to be a pool in the country built which doesn’t have some form of Drowning Detection incorporated – seat belts mate – seat belts!”

Early adopters and fast followers do not need convincing of the advantages and benefits of introducing either Drowning Prevention or Drowning Detection Technology – no - it is the “laggards” and the “not in my pool” Managers, Directors, Accountants, Trainer Assessors, CEO’s etc. etc. who need a helping hand.

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How do I go about this I wondered? Ask the “believers” I concluded.

Rather than writing a “Sales Pitch” about the benefits of Poolview™, SwimEye™, SenTag, Bluefox or any other technologies, I thought it best to simply ask a few responsible individuals to respond to the title question – I think their words say it all: 

“Modern lifeguarding is a skill that is enhanced by the technology available to us that in days gone by was a distant dream for operators. By in-bedding a robust RLSS/NPLQ qualification and training regime, aligned to an underwater camera system the risks associated with managing pools are significantly reduced. The confidence of guaranteeing 100% underwater visibility in all conditions and eradicating the constant challenge of internal and external glare (creating blind spots), is invaluable.

The cost of Poolview is competitive and when integrated into staff training builds a formidable system to combat historical, operational challenges. I would not be without it.“   Steve Goddard - Head of Leisure Services

"Underwater cameras, are not there for Lifeguards to rely on.  Lifeguards are still positioned on poolside for immediate response and nothing will replace the senses and trained performance. Poolview assists the lifeguards in opening up a different view on areas which may not be fully visible for several reasons -glare/reflection/surface disturbance from installed features-issues which are not thought of by designers and only become apparent once we as operators enter the building in it's 'completed' phase.  Lifeguards are trained to scan for 10 seconds; with Poolview this equates to 5 seconds scanning their zone, 5 seconds on the screen.  From experience, good training means lifeguards see it as an extension of their rescue equipment, not a TV.  Which means if, on the few occasions they find themselves without it, this is no way affects their ability to deliver effective pool supervision."

“Lifeguards do not 'manage' pools, they assist in the delivery and effective safety management.”  Donna Bristoll - Operations Manager - MCIMSPA

“Poolview provides Lifeguards with essential additional vision; it allows them to see beyond the surface of the water and identify hazards from all aspects and angles. Poolview is an great example of how technology can aid a workforce to overcome known problems which for years have been accepted or ignored. However, unlike other technological systems designed to aid drowning prevention Poolview does not undermine or supersede the ‘human’ aspect of Lifeguarding. Poolview alone could not save lives but combined with the trained skills of Lifeguards it is a robust system which undoubtedly enhances water safety.”   Helen Meckiffe – Contract Manager

“In an increasingly difficult time with modern build pools surrounded by windows, the positioning of the Lifeguard(s) has become an operational challenge. The Poolview system aids that process and has given us that ability to give our Lifeguards the essential element of Pool supervision; 100% visibility of their allocated zones.”  George Lampshire – Safety & Quality Manager

Words of wisdom from some seasoned and very respected leisure individuals.  Technology is here to stay – why ignore the opportunity to “make a difference?”

Drowning does not look like drowning!

The greatest misunderstanding of drowning, perpetuated by what we see on the telly, is that a drowning person actually does not look like a drowning person. Shouting and splashing? Doesn’t happen. Drowning is almost always a deceptively quiet event.

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Here’s a brutal statistic: Half of all children who will drown this year will drown within a few meters of their parents. Those parents will be completely unaware anything is wrong.

The Instinctive Drowning Response takes over and this is what happens:

1. Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help. The respiratory system was designed for breathing. Speech is the secondary or overlaid function. Breathing must be fulfilled before speech occurs.

2. Drowning people’s mouths sink below and reappear above the surface of the water in quick succession. The mouths of drowning people are not above the surface of the water long enough for them to exhale, inhale and cry out for help. When drowning people’s mouths are above the surface, they exhale and inhale quickly as their mouths start to sink below the surface taking in water.

3. Drowning people cannot wave for help. Nature instinctively forces them to press down on the water’s surface. Pressing down on the surface of the water permits drowning people to lift their mouths out of the water to breathe.

4. Throughout the Instinctive Drowning Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements. Physiologically, drowning people who are struggling on the surface of the water cannot stop drowning and perform voluntary movements such as waving for help, moving toward a rescuer or reaching out for a piece of rescue equipment.

5. From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response, people’s bodies remain upright in the water with no evidence of a supporting kick. Unless rescued by a trained lifeguard, these drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water for 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs.

However, this doesn’t mean that a person who is yelling for help and thrashing isn’t in real trouble. They are experiencing aquatic distress. Not always present before the Instinctive Drowning Response, aquatic distress doesn’t last long. But unlike true drowning, these victims can still assist in their own rescue by grabbing lifelines, throw rings, etc.

Look for these signs of drowning when persons are in the water:

• Head low in the water, mouth at water level
• Head tilted back with mouth open
• Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
• Eyes closed
• Hair over forehead or eyes
• Not using legs, vertical
• Hyperventilating or gasping
• Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
• Trying to roll over on their back
• Appear to be climbing an invisible ladder

Sometimes the most common indication that someone is drowning is that they don’t look like they’re drowning. They may just look like they are treading water and looking around for safety. One way to be sure is to ask them, “Are you all right?” If they can answer, they are probably OK. If they return a blank stare, you may have less than 30 seconds to get to them to safety.

Parents, children playing in the water make noise. When they go quiet, you need to get to them and find out why.

Technology for non-Lifeguarded Swimming Pools

Many of us have read over the past week or so, the results from the inquest about the tragic swimming pool death of young Jane Bell, from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders, who died after getting into difficulty at the Dalmeny Hotel pool in St Annes, Lancashire on 14 August 2014.

A tragedy in it’s own right, but a greater tragedy simply because it could have been prevented.

The inquest heard that “there was no trained lifeguard on duty at the time”   Even though the alarm was raised – it appears that no-one could do anything to help in time.

Coroner, Mr Wilson told the hearing at Blackpool Town Hall there may have been a lack of focus on the welfare of people using the pool at the time and he questioned whether financial reasons were behind the lack of trained lifeguards.

In my experience the majority of hotels, spas and health clubs do operate with trained Lifeguards. However, the designated Lifeguards or Responders whilst on duty are more often than not tasked with many other duties to perform as part of their normal job description.

The RLSS provide a number of options and levels of qualifications for staff positioned within the leisure industry in situations such as this and described fully on their website www.rlss.org.uk - these are vital qualifications to have to help ensure the safety of your swimmers.

At Poolview Ltd we offer a range of technological safer swimming systems for every operational type, shape and size of pool.  The one single thing that we rely on to make ALL of our systems functional is a fully qualified and trained lifeguard or 1st Responder. Someone has to make the rescue!

All the alarms and alerts in the world can be “ringing aloud” – but if you don’t have a staff member who can get into the pool and effect a rescue – all systems fail!

Our technological solutions for non-lifeguarded swimming pools include Sentag, SwimEye™ and Bluefox. Each has its own merits, individual characteristics and methods by which an alarm is activated.  But most importantly, each will alert the designated lifeguard or responder (who is perhaps working in the gym, reception or even cleaning), to the fact that someone in their swimming pool is in difficulty and needs immediate assistance.

For further information or an informal discussion, please do not hesitate to contact me directly on 077 6874 6789robinmcgloughlin@poolview.co.uk.  We are here to help.

What to Do: Car Sinking in Water, You have only SECONDS to react

Following the tragic events in Ireland last week it is worth watching this video.

It could save yours and your family's life!

The Resqme Car Escape Tool you can get on Amazon for just £10 - Hang it from the rear-view mirror!

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Saving a choking baby!

Excellent video produced by St John Ambulance - well worth a look.

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The "Effective Management of Lifeguards" - PfPL and Poolview

Over the past three weeks it has both been a privilege and pleasure to tour the country with the Safety Team from Places for People (Leisure). Delivering, industry and safety updates along with thought provoking presentations to over 350 senior leisure professionals proved to be informative, interesting and challenging.

Our contribution was entitled "Effective Management of Lifeguards - Challenging Preconceived Ideas" which was well received and certainly produced some enlightened discussion and debates around the use of both proactive and reactive safer swimming technology to assist lifeguards with their management of swimming pools

Thanks again to Andy Read who was ably supported by Georgina and Leanne. Thanks also to Nicola, Helen, James, Kelly and Donna who helped facilitate and challenge working groups thought processes.

Shallow Water Blackout - Explained

A couple of years ago, I was fortunate enough to meet Melanie, Luke's mother. This is a very powerful video which explains how Shallow Water Blackout occurs. The hope is that future devastating events like this can be prevented. 

Top 5 Terrifying Drowning Facts

Thought I should share a video my 14 year old son showed me this morning about drowning. He was really amazed about our bodies different pyhsical reactions to drowning in fresh or salt water! As always - the silent drowning fascinated - many questions were asked.

Go underwater. Can't breathe. Die. That's drowning, basically. but a lot of people don't realize that there's actually more to it than that. Welcome Watchmojo's Top 5 Facts. For this list, we're counting down the scariest and most surprising facts about drowning.

Poolview - Saving Lives AND Increasing Efficiencies

Poolview Ltd is the UK's leading manufacturer, supplier and installer of safety swimming pool systems.  Established in 2012 they have installed underwater camera safety systems in over 50 pools UK wide as either part of a refurbishment, new build, or as a stand alone retro-fit.
‘Poolview System’, part of the range of five products produced by Poolview Ltd, is an above water and below swimming pool water CCTV system which digitally records and stores all moving images. Real-time digital video images are relayed to any lifeguard monitoring station in any combination depending on the pools design and risk assessment requirements. The display gives Lifeguards an un-compromised view of below water swimmer activity and behaviour. Lifeguards view these images as part of their 10:20 scan to help with early identification of an incident developing or abnormal events occurring.

When a swimmer is observed getting into difficulty, or the likelihood of an incident developing is unfolding the Lifeguard will initiate their normal ‘Emergency Action Procedures’ by either taking quick preventative action or activate the pool side alarm for additional assistance.
Lead time from a request to install ranges from 4 to 12 weeks depending on the size of the project.  Robin McGloughlin, Sales Director of Poolview Ltd explains, “new builds are usually an 18 month operation with Poolview engineers working with the client from when they are first casting the tank then return a year later just before they fill the pool to install the cameras.  We then arrive on site the last two weeks before handover and complete the installation and training whilst retro-fits can be completed in less than a week”.

Operators can reduce their lifeguarding costs saving between £6k and £20k in a 12 month period through a streamlining lifeguard attendance due to the addition technological safety features of Poolview.  Payback of an installation can be as little as six months.  Further and much more substantial cost reductions can be made when Poolview is introduced to specifically cover “small area” difficult blind spots enabling alternative methods of lifeguarding to be introduced.

Andy Read, Safety & Quest Manager at Places for People has overseen the installation of 30+ Poolview systems at individual facilities throughout the UK with a further 6 new builds installations to come over the coming months.  Andy Read said “We have partnered with Poolview Limited to make our pools as safe as possible for both swimmers and staff using technology. Installations have been efficiently completed with clear communication throughout the process from the Poolview team.”
“This system has allowed us to further demonstrate our commitment to the Health and Safety Executives (HSE) ‘Plan, Do, Check, Act’ approach to successful Health and Safety management using our ‘SAFE Places for People’ quality management system. The introduction of Poolview to our pools has been a seamless operation from initial contact to launch. The professional support and training aligned to the exceptional product has enabled us to achieve our safety goals and pay back of the system in as little as six months in some cases.”

For further information see www.poolview.co.uk.

Blind Spots - Turbulence - Nooks & Crannies

Starting a new Poolview installation today within a leisure facility fraught with difficulty. Our Poolview Safer Swimmer System will provide the lifeguards with the "Additional Essential Vision" required and provide an extra layer of protection for swimmers.

SenTAG - an alternative Layer of Protection

Acting as a second layer of pool security supporting existing lifeguards and pool operators the SenTAG "Safer Swimming System" wristband continuously monitors depth and time for every bather and alerts the operater if preset thresholds are exceeded. Have a look at the animated movie below to see how the SenTAG Safer Swimming System could be of benefit to your patrons and staff!

The SenTAG DDS system continously monitors depth and time for all wristband users and alerts if the wearer has stayed too long beneath a certain depth. Visit www.sentag.com for more information!

SenTAG pool alarm:

• supervises every swimmer individually with personally adjusted settings.
• communicates via ultrasonic frequencies just like the mammals of the ocean.
• supervise all pool areas such as, standard pools, lazy rivers, wave pools, splash pools etc.
• registers depth, time and lack of  “motion” (depth changes) below the surface and does not rely on line of sight within the facility.
• uses retention units to collect the SenTAG security wristbands after use.
• has low operating, maintenance and support costs.

I didn’t see anyone down there!

I was looking at everybody above the water and didn't see anyone down there!

Poolview can resolve this issue - a very powerful video - please take the time to watch.

Poolview provides "Additional Essential Vision for Lifeguards"