Novel Electronic Wristband that can Automatically Detect & Prevent Drowning Deaths

Drowning accounts for nearly 372,000 preventable deaths per year—the majority of which is dry drowning (silent drowning that commonly happens even with parental supervision and in public unbeknownst to passerbys). During drowning, time is critical for survival and to prevent permanent bodily damage. An electronic device was devised that can automatically detect when a swimmer is drowning and alerts others immediately when a swimmer is in distress so that potentially life-saving assistance to be given much sooner—when the probability of survival is the highest.

 

Through research, it was found that vitals such as one’s blood oxygen concentration level predictably change in experiences such as near drowning. Therefore, a watch-like device comprising pulse-oximetry technology in combination with a transmitter that can send soundwaves to a poolside receiver was developed to create a feasible method of promptly alerting others when a swimmer is in distress.