AI Technology Gives Lifeguards an Extra Set of Eyes to Boost Pool Safety

This is an abridgement of article by ABC News

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This summer, innovative technology is being rolled out across Australia to help make swimming pools safer for everyone. An artificial intelligence (AI) system is now being used in more than 100 public pools to assist lifeguards by analysing swimmer behaviour and alerting staff when someone may be in trouble. The goal isn’t to replace human lifeguards, but to provide them with a powerful support tool that enhances their ability to spot and respond to potential drowning incidents.

The AI system works by tapping into a pool’s existing CCTV cameras and using advanced software to monitor swimmers’ movements. If the system detects unusual patterns, such as a swimmer remaining underwater for too long, stopping movement, or showing signs of distress. If detected, it sends an alert directly to a lifeguard’s smartwatch. This enables lifeguards to quickly locate and assist the person in need, potentially in situations they might otherwise have missed due to glare, line-of-sight limitations, or other visual barriers around the pool.

Examples of the technology in action already highlight its value. At a facility in Perth, the system alerted staff to a swimmer in distress, prompting a rapid response that contributed to a successful rescue. At another pool, the system sent multiple alerts that led lifeguards to recheck an area where a person was trapped under a movable boom, enabling them to intervene before a serious outcome occurred.

Experts emphasise that AI tools like this are meant to augment, not replace, traditional lifeguarding. Lifeguards still play the critical role of observing, interpreting, and responding to incidents, but the technology gives them an extra “set of eyes,” helping reduce blind spots and improve response times. Organisations involved in the initiative note that adopting such technology can also ease the constant pressure lifeguards face while maintainingvigilance throughout their shifts.

While AI promises enhanced detection and faster alerts, safety professionals caution against over-reliance on technology. Ongoing training is essential to ensure lifeguards understand both the capabilities and limitations of these systems so that core skills, including scanning, risk recognition, and rescue techniques.

Initiatives like this reflect a broader trend in safety management: leveraging smart technology to support human decision-making while reinforcing existing duty-of-care practices. The combination of skilled supervision and intelligent monitoring tools aims to make aquatic environments safer for swimmers, staff, and visitors alike.

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