Hind Saleh Alhumaimidi
10th Girls High School, Onaizah, Central, SAUDI ARABIA
Swimming pools offer great fun venues for kids and families. Yet, the risks associated with swimming pools are becoming increasingly apparent. It is found that children drowning is the 2nd leading cause of injury-related deaths among children ages 1-14. This is mainly due to the unawareness of the adults about their children falling in swimming pools/lakes. In other words, the challenge is to alert adults of possible drowning threats to their children.
The Electronic Lifeguard Buddy is a device designed to provide an alarming solution for parents to be aware of their kids while not necessarily seeing them.
The device uses two independent circuits that communicate wirelessly. The first circuit is the one fitted in the bottom of the kid`s shoe. This circuit is an open circuit with a transmitter. The circuit becomes active when the kid steps into water.
This, in turn, operates an ultra-sonic unit that measures the depth of water. If the water level is deeper than a prescribed level, a transmitter unit sends a signal to the receiving device. The second device is basically a circuit connected to an audible alarm. The signal will be translated into a loud voice alarming the adults of a potential drowning threat. Needless to say, adults are supposed to keep this receiver with them all the time.
Electronic Lifeguard Buddy is a a very economical and practical solution that is quite helpful for every family having a swimming pool, or simply planning for a water-front trip.