Swimmer's Daily

  • An increasing number of lifeguard organizations around the world are turning to drone technology to help speed up rescue efforts for when swimmers get into difficulties.

    Australia, Germany, and Iran are three such countries that have rescue drones ready to take to the skies in an emergency. And it’s not just their speed in carrying flotation devices to struggling swimmers that makes them so useful. Their onboard cameras also enable the drone pilot to survey the scene and relay important information to lifeguards who are on their way to help.

    The latest demonstration of just how effective drones can be for ocean rescues came this week in the sea off Sagunto, about 15 miles north of Valencia, Spain.

    When a lifeguard spotted bathers caught in an undertow about 70 meters from the shore, the Auxdron Lifeguard Drone was quickly deployed to help out, sUASnews reported.

    Initially receiving guidance from a lifeguard in an observation tower, drone pilot Diego Torres flew the quadcopter toward the distressed swimmers.

    “I had a general location but with the help of the lifeguard giving me instructions and the video feed from the drone, we were on top of them within the minute,” Torres told sUASnews.

    A quick assessment via the livestream revealed that one woman in the group was having particular difficulties in the water, with the other swimmers trying to support her in the choppy surf. Torres responded by releasing one of the drone’s two life vests, lowering it on a tether to within reach of the swimmers. When it touches the water, the vest disconnects from the tether and automatically inflates before being used to help the woman.

    A short while later, lifeguards arrive on a Jet Ski to take the woman back to shore. The drone, which was built by Spanish startup GeneralDrones, stays hovering in the air, relaying information about the condition of the remaining swimmers back to lifeguards as the rescue effort continues.

    See Digital Trends

    https://youtu.be/SEn_rDpMFq8

  • Even before the Islamic State group made Mosul the heart of its self-proclaimed caliphate in Iraq in 2014, conservatism and tradition meant the city”s pools were only for men. But a year after Iraqi forces reclaimed the city from the jihadists, an ambitious team of 12 young girls is changing that.

    Iraqi girls take up swimming in IS-free Mosul

  • Skydiving in Costa Rica goes horribly wrong for Will when bad weather hurls his plane into the sea. He’s left for 24 hours in shark infested waters. Dehydration brings paranoid delusions, but it’s the endless night that horrifies him.

    https://youtu.be/Mngso293nQQ

  • This is a video captured by snorkeler Adam Stern off the coast of Nuku’alofa, Tonga of a curious female humpback whale that swam around his diving group for a half hour (don’t worry, video is a minute and 22 seconds), performing all sorts of barrel rolls and other beautiful acrobatics.

    See Geekologie

  • The ZAC Foundation started over a decade ago after a couple lost their 6 year old son, Zachary, in an accident in their pool.

    ZAC Foundation looks to avoid tragedy by teaching kids to swim

  • Watch half an hour full of Katie Ledecky’s performances at the Olympic Games. We bring you ALL Gold Medal Swimming Races she took part in!

    Katie Ledecky – ALL Gold Medal Races | Top Moments

  • Winning eight Commonwealth Games medals has put 18-year-old Taylor Ruck in high media demand, but her swimming coach leaves no room for distractions.

  • Records are there to be broken and that’s exactly what Ross Edgley has done this week. He’s now set the World Record for the longest ever staged swim. Most people would be happy with just that accolade, but not Ross, who’s quick to acknowledge, despite the celebrations, there’s still a long, long way to go.