Dubai, UAE – In a groundbreaking effort to bolster water safety and prevent drowning incidents, UAE beaches will soon be equipped with advanced artificial intelligence-based technology. Water safety and first aid company, Blueguard, is collaborating with a technology provider to implement this innovative solution, which will empower lifeguards to efficiently monitor swimmers and identify potential risks.
“With hundreds of swimmers in the sea and only one or two lifeguards on duty during busy days at the beach, this technology becomes a game-changer,” said Luke Cunningham, founder, and managing director of Blueguard. “The AI-powered system can detect the number of people in the water and identify any swimmer in distress. This critical information is then relayed back to the lifeguard for immediate action.”
The AI-driven technology is slated to be deployed on multiple beaches across the UAE by the end of this year. This move coincides with the observance of July 25th as the first-ever Drowning Prevention Day by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Cunningham emphasized the preventability of drowning incidents and highlighted the associated dangers of swimming in open waters. “While water is a safe and soothing environment with healing properties, it also carries risks,” he warned.
Dr. Nisha Ravindran, a pediatric and neonatology specialist at Aster Hospital, Mankhool, shared a harrowing incident of a 1.5-year-old child who nearly drowned in a swimming pool while on vacation in Dubai.
Allah Baksh Shaik and his wife Nilofar were with their son Noraiz when he started drowning in the pool. Without knowing how to swim, the desperate parents sought help from neighbors until a kind-hearted individual dove in and rescued the child. Noraiz’s mother performed CPR, and he was immediately rushed to the hospital.
“Fortunately, Noraiz received immediate treatment and survived the incident. However, drowning remains a significant cause of childhood mortality worldwide, even though it is largely preventable,” said Dr. Ravindran. She highlighted that many drowning cases occur in familiar surroundings, such as swimming pools or bathtubs at home.
According to the World Health Organization, drowning claims the lives of approximately 236,000 people every year, with children between the ages of one and four being particularly vulnerable.
To address this alarming issue, Cunningham stressed the importance of water safety awareness. “People tend to be quite laid-back about water safety, sometimes expecting lifeguards to act as babysitters for their children,” he explained.
He emphasized that supervision is key in water safety, urging parents to constantly keep an eye on their children while they are in the water or appoint a trusted friend or family member to do so. Complacency should be avoided at all costs.
Dr. Ravindran echoed Cunningham’s sentiment and emphasized the need for unwavering attention. “A responsible adult should always be with the child during water activities,” she said. “Even a momentary lapse of attention, like checking mobile phones or engaging in conversations, can lead to catastrophic consequences.”
As the UAE takes proactive steps to employ AI technology for water safety, the hope is that this innovative approach will significantly reduce drowning incidents and promote a safer beach experience for all. With the imminent implementation of this AI-based system, lifeguards can enhance their vigilance and save precious lives in the process.
