It looks a little like a pig's snout, but a new state-of-the-art drowning detection system will give lifeguards an important third eye when looking after the nation's swimmers.
In a first for Australia, and for the southern hemisphere, the $300,000 Poseidon system has been installed in the Blacktown Leisure Centre in western Sydney.
The system uses a network of pig-snout like cameras above and below the water, and computer software, to analyse the movements of all swimmers in a pool.
It gives an audible alarm when a swimmer is judged to be in trouble, alerting lifeguards in as little as 10 seconds.
Developed in France in 2000, the system has for years protected lives in Europe and North America.
At the launch NSW Emergency Services Minister Nathan Rees said the Poseidon would give lifesavers a valuable "third eye".
Three people drown in large public pools each year in Australia, he said.
"In western Sydney we have at this pool one million people using it each year and on hot days these pools get extremely busy," he said.
"It's beyond the capabilities of almost any lifeguard to keep an eye on a thousand people in a swimming pool.
"This device enables lifeguards to be alerted when someone has stopped moving or is in difficulty. It will save lives."
The Poseidon system has been funded by Blacktown City Council and the Royal Lifesaving Society.
Mr Rees said there were no plans as yet to install the system in other pools across NSW, but said he had no doubt that "over time this will be rolled (out) across Sydney and NSW and the rest of Australia".
Asked if the $300,000 price tag was worth it, given that only three people die each year in Australian public pools, Mr Rees said "My oath it is worth it".
"$300,000 is a one off investment, that over time will save lives," he said.
"And you cannot put a price on a life."
news by theage.com.au
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