Different Types of Drowning Prevention Equipment

In the previous two blogs, we mainly focused on tips for improving safety both in the water and around the pool. All these measures aim to prevent accidents and drownings, especially among children. The most effective way to prevent child drownings is through awareness and learning swimming skills. In addition to raising awareness about water safety and mastering swimming skills, additional safety aids can drastically improve the level of protection in and around the pool. In today's blog, we will focus on high-quality security devices for drowning prevention.

Safety Devices for Preventing Pool Drownings - Categories

 Safety devices for preventing drownings can broadly be divided into two categories: 

• Alarms for preventing child drownings in the pool 

• Physical barriers for preventing drownings

Alarms for Preventing Child Drownings in Pools

Pool alarms are generally devices that alert to danger or detect risky activities in the water, such as unintended falls of children or pets into it. Most existing anti drowning alarm devices operate on the principle of wave detection. In summary, the alarm is typically installed in the water and remains inactive when the water is still. Once the alarm detects movement, it is triggered and starts emitting an audible or visual signal. Some alarm devices can provide both types of signals. These alarms operate in various ways, depending on the technology they use. Below are some main types of pool water alarms and their modes of operation: 

1. Water Movement Alarms

These alarms detect water waves or movement caused by falls into the pool. The sensors are usually installed at the pool edge or within the pool and detect changes in water level or pressure.

• How Water Movement Alarms work: 

o When someone falls into the pool, waves are created, triggering the sensor. 

o The sensor sends a signal to the alarm unit, which then activates an audible alarm, warning lights, or a notification to a smartphone. 

2. Safety Underwater Sensors

These alarms use underwater sensors to detect movement or pressure changes in the water. 

• How Security Underwater Sensors Work: 

o Sensors are installed underwater and detect changes in hydrostatic pressure. 

o When the pressure changes due to movement, the sensor sends a signal to the alarm unit. 

o The alarm unit triggers an audible signal or notifies the owner via a mobile device connection. 

3. Perimeter Alarms 

These alarms detect movement around the pool area and are often integrated with protective fences or other perimeter security systems. 

• How Perimeter Alarms work: 

o Sensors are placed on fences or around the pool to detect movement nearby. 

o When the sensors detect movement, they send a signal to the alarm unit. 

o The alarm unit triggers an audible signal or sends a notification to a mobile device. 

4. Wearable Water Sensors 

Wearable sensors are designed for children or pets and are worn as bracelets or collars. 

• How Wearable Water Sensors Work: 

o Sensors detect when the person wearing the bracelet falls into the water. 

o Upon detecting a fall, the sensor sends a signal to the alarm unit. 

o The alarm unit triggers an audible signal or sends a notification to a mobile device. 

Advantages of Safety Pool Alarms: 

• Increased Safety: Antidrowning alarm systems can quickly alert owners to sudden falls or unauthorized entries. 

• Peace of Mind: Provides a greater sense of security, especially for families with young children or pets. 

• Connectivity: Many modern alarms are connected to smartphones, allowing for easy monitoring and remote notifications. 

Disadvantages of Safety Systems for Pools: 

• No Physical Barriers: Pool safety systems only alert to dangerous events in the water; they do not prevent physical contact with the water and only indirectly prevent drowning. 

• Sensitivity to Water Movement: Alarms can be sensitive to waves and may trigger false alarms due to wind and water movement. 

It is important to note that no safety system is perfect, regardless of its quality. Users should be aware of and educated about other preventive measures. In addition to drowning detection alarms, pools should also be equipped with protective fences, covers, and consistent supervision of children while using the pool. 

Physical Barriers for Preventing Pool Drownings 

Top-notch physical barriers are essential for ensuring pool safety and preventing accidents and drownings. These barriers directly prevent access to the water, making them especially suitable for small children. Additionally, they prevent access to the water for animals, both wild and domestic. Let's take a closer look at the features of different physical barriers for pool access: 

1. Pool Safety Nets 

Excellent pool safety nets are a popular choice for enhanced safety and preventing child drownings due to their effectiveness and ease of use. These are strong yet lightweight nets that stretch across the entire pool surface and are secured at the edges. This creates a physical barrier over the water, preventing access to it. High-quality nets are usually made from durable materials like nylon or polypropylene, which can withstand significant loads and are UV-resistant. The benefits of security nets include:

• High Safety: Nets are designed to support the weight of a small child, preventing access to the water. 

• Ease of Use: Nets can be easily installed and removed when not in use. 

• Minimal Visual Obstruction: Nets provide an unobstructed view of the pool and its surroundings. 

2. Pool Safety Fences

Pool fences are a common and popular solution for protecting kids from pool drownings. They physically prevent access to the pool. Generally, they are divided into two categories: movable and fixed. Movable fences are easy to install, while fixed ones require construction work. Key elements to consider for safety fences include:

• Height: The recommended fence height is at least 1.2 meters or more. 

• Gates: Fences should have self-closing and self-locking gates that close behind every person passing through. 

• Materials: Fences can be made from various materials, such as metal (aluminum, iron), glass, or plastic (vinyl). Each material has its advantages, such as durability, ease of maintenance, and aesthetics. When choosing a safety fence, pay attention to certifications and the quality of protective fences. 

• Design and Spacing of Slats: Fences should be designed so that children cannot climb through or under them. 

3. Pool Safety Covers

Premium pool safety covers are made from strong fabric that stretches across the entire surface and is secured at the edges. When choosing safety covers, it is important to consider their purpose. There is a distinction between covers meant for dirt protection and those meant for enhanced safety. In this blog, we focus only on covers designed to prevent access to water and enhance safety. Solid covers are made from durable plastic materials such as PVC, polyethylene, or polypropylene. There are different types of protective covers:

• Solid Covers: Made from strong, superior materials that can support the weight of an adult. They are typically used during the winter when the pool is empty and not in use. They prevent falls and slips into an empty or partially filled pool, protecting people and animals from injury. 

• Load Capacity: Solid covers are designed to support the weight of an adult, which is particularly important for preventing accidents, such as children or pets falling into it. 

• Soft Covers: These are lighter and meant for protection against dirt and do not prevent small kids or animals from drowning. They are not suitable for walking on and do not improve safety. 

4. Pool Covers (Roller Covers) 

Roller covers significantly reduce the risk of child drownings. Although pool roller covers serve multiple purposes, such as aesthetic enhancement, maintaining temperature, and preventing debris from entering the pool, their value for safety should not be overlooked. Always check the quality of roller covers before purchasing. Because roller covers float on the water surface (typically made from PVC, polycarbonate, or aluminum), their slats are hollow and connected, allowing them to support a kid's weight, preventing them from sinking to the bottom in an accidental fall. Let's review the main features of roller covers from a security perspective:

• Physical Barrier: When properly installed and closed, roller covers create a solid barrier that prevents access to the water. This is particularly important for children and pets, as the covers protect them from accidentally falling into it. 

• Load Capacity: Roller covers are designed to withstand a certain weight. Excellent covers can support the weight of an adult, meaning they can support a child or pet standing on the closed cover. However, it is important to remember that roller covers are not meant for walking on, and safety guidelines from the manufacturer should always be followed. 

• Automatic Locking: Some roller covers feature an automatic locking mechanism that prevents unauthorized access and tampering. This provides additional protection as the covers cannot be accidentally or easily opened. 

• Safety Standards: Many roller covers are designed and certified according to international safety standards, such as the French standard NF P90-308. This standard specifies requirements for the strength and safety of covers, further ensuring their effectiveness in preventing accidents. 

Advantages of Physical Pool Barriers

The primary advantage of physical barriers for pools is undoubtedly their ability to prevent direct contact between a kid (or person) and the pool, as well as animals. This means that even when we are not in close proximity, children are completely safe and drowning incidents can be prevented. Besides this key advantage, we can highlight the following: 

• Ease of Use: Many barriers, such as roller covers, safety nets, and fences, are designed for easy installation and removal, providing flexibility based on users' needs. 

• Animal Protection: By preventing access to the water, these barriers effectively protect both wild animals that may visit during the winter or come to drink water out of thirst, and pets or domestic animals that may accidentally wander into the pool. If there is no one nearby to help animals out of the water, they could potentially drown. 

Disadvantages of Physical Pool Barriers 

Like with any product, physical barriers have their downsides. Let's start with the most visible one: 

• Aesthetic Appearance: Most physical barriers significantly impact the surrounding environment and alter its appearance. Although some physical drowning prevention systems are quite refined and aesthetically pleasing, it is generally agreed that the surroundings look more attractive without a safety net. 

• Restricted Access: While barriers are intended to protect kids from drowning, they can also make access more difficult for adults who want to enter the pool quickly and easily, which can be inconvenient. It's worth considering whether to prioritize convenience or child security. 

• (Improper) Installation: It is crucial to install physical safety barriers correctly. Failure to follow instructions or improper installation can result in tragic consequences, including drowning. 

Despite the above-mentioned drawbacks, first-rate physical barriers remain one of the most effective methods for drowning prevention in pools. When considering purchasing a physical safety system, several factors need to be taken into account, such as the frequency of kid's presence in the pool, the size of it, the children's age, the number of children, the pool's location, etc. After careful evaluation, it will be easier to decide which physical safety system—fence, net, or cover—is most suitable for you. 

Which Drowning Prevention Equipment to choose?

In the end, the question always arises: which safety system should we choose? Which is the most appropriate? It depends on the specific situation. We advise you to thoroughly think through and determine who or what situations the system is intended for. Is it for a one-week visit from your grandchildren, or will a large number of children frequently visit your pool daily? We believe that the decision on which pool safety system or device to choose would be very different based on the aforementioned example. However, the most effective approach is to combine multiple security measures, systems, and alarms simultaneously. Educate children about swimming skills and pool dangers. Equip the surroundings with both a drowning detection alarm and a safety fence. Pay attention to the quality and certifications of both physical barriers and drowning prevention alarms. If you're not experienced with installation, seek help from a verified and experienced professional. Most importantly, always ensure that an adult is present when a child is in or near the pool.