Trials of a lifeguard alert system called Sensa will begin in two weeks at several hotels in Dubai, if successful to be adopted by several of the emirate’s 20,000 pools. Swimmers are given wristbands containing a sensor that alerts the lifeguard’s pager if held deeper than 60cm underwater for more than 20 seconds. The complete package costs about 100,000 Dirham for one pool (US$ 27,225), but the makers believe the system in return will allow for more cost-efficient lifeguard staffing levels.
The Swimming Pool Safety Company also has an underwater video system adopted by pools in Britain and the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex in Dubai, used for the Dubai 2010 World Championships, but company owner Rob White says cultural sensitivities mean that wristbands were a better option than cameras in the Middle East. Read The National
