AusLeisure

Aiming to strengthening drowning prevention and safety at Australian aquatic facilities, Royal Life Saving Society - Australia and Lynxight have announced a collaboration that will use data insights from the lifeguard technology company's artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced analytics to strengthen research, policy and practices.

Founded in 2019, Lynxight's prevention technology combines specialist AI and swimmer behaviour analysis to deliver real-time insights directly to the lifeguard's smartwatch, often with minimal capital outlay for pool owners and operators.

The Royal Life Saving Australia Safe Places to Swim: The State of Safety in Aquatic Facilities Report found that in 2023, there were six drowning deaths, 18 non-fatal drowning incidents, and more than 7,800 rescues in publicly accessible swimming pools. This highlights the importance of ongoing innovations in safety management, and the adoption of technologies which can assist in preventing drowning incidents.

Royal Life Saving General Manager - Capability and Industry, RJ Houston commented “Royal Life Saving is excited to collaborate with Lynxight and believes data derived from AI-enhanced safety technologies can be applied to elevate existing practices and address challenges, making Australian aquatic facilities safer for everyone.

“While lifeguards play critical prevention and rescue roles, supervision in public swimming pools can be challenging. The potential of combining lifeguard expertise with enhanced technological approaches in coming years is exciting.”

Daniel Mulvey, Lynxight's General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, explained that the Israel-based company utilises an overhead security camera system, offering easy setup and maintenance, minimal impact on pool buildings, and a seamless experience for pool visitors. It can operate in a wide variety of pool types, including indoor standard tank swimming pools, freeform pools with irregular shapes, and outdoor swimming pools.

Mulvey noted “Lynxight is very excited to collaborate with Royal Life Saving Australia, who share a common vision to eliminate preventable drowning and ensure Australians have world-leading safety delivered at their aquatic facilities.”

Lynxight is trusted by hundreds of pools globally, supporting sport and leisure centre operators across counties like the UK and Germany, and is currently operating in over 40 Australian public pools with some of Australia's most prominent commercial leisure operators. It is expected that AI-enhanced prevention systems will become the new normal in aquatic facilities in the near future.

Mulvey added “Lynxight is expanding rapidly, driving a safety revolution with a simple, proven technology that empowers aquatic professionals across the board. We are thrilled to collaborate with Royal Life Saving Australia to enable the insights derived from our system to strengthen industry standards, research, and advocacy.”

Both Lynxight and Royal Life Saving emphasise that technological systems are a valuable tool that assist lifeguards in responding early to safety risk and are not intended to replace the need for proactive and vigilant professional supervision.

Image credit: Lynxight.

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