After decades of progress, drowning deaths across all age groups have been rising since 2020. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 4,500 people died from drowning each year from 2020 to 2022, roughly 500 more annually than before the pandemic.
Several factors are believed to have contributed to the increase:
+ Public pool closures and reduced operating hours
+ Missed swim lessons during the pandemic
+ Lifeguard shortages across the country
+ Increased use of pools, lakes, rivers, and beaches
Not every drowning incident is fatal. However, non-fatal drownings can leave survivors with permanent injuries. One of the most serious is brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen. Given that most pool drownings are preventable, safety experts are looking for new ways to reduce the risk.
How Is Artificial Intelligence Being Used to Prevent Pool Drownings?
One of the newest tools is AI-powered drowning detection technology. These systems use cameras and computer vision to monitor swimmers in real time and alert lifeguards when someone may be in distress.
Unlike a person watching from a pool deck, the system can continuously scan the entire pool. It identifies warning signs such as prolonged submersion, unusual movement patterns, or a swimmer who suddenly becomes motionless.
When a potential emergency is detected, an alert is sent to lifeguards or pool staff. The goal is simple: reduce response times and help staff intervene before a situation becomes fatal.
Technology can also help address a reality many pool operators face. Lifeguard shortages remain a problem in many communities, and even the most attentive lifeguard can't watch every swimmer at every moment. Artificial intelligence gives staff another set of eyes focused on the water.
Why Isn't Drowning Detection Technology More Common?
Most of these systems are currently found in commercial settings such as hotels, resorts, municipal pools, schools, and water parks.
The biggest barriers to widespread public use are cost and implementation. Installing cameras, monitoring systems, and supporting equipment can be expensive, whether it’s for a hotel pool or a city-run aquatic center.
These high costs and limited availability impact the consumer market. It’s why most residential pools don’t have these drowning detection tools. Many backyard pools still rely primarily on supervision, fencing, alarms, and other traditional safety measures. This is noteworthy because many child drowning incidents occur in residential pools rather than public facilities.
Can Technology Replace Lifeguards and Adult Supervision?
No. Drowning detection technology should be seen as one layer of protection, not a replacement for pool lifeguards, parents, caregivers, or swim instructors.
Preventing pool accidents requires multiple safeguards working together, including:
+ Active adult supervision
+ Accessible swim lessons
+ Pool fencing and self-latching gates
+ CPR training
+ Lifeguards where possible
+ Technology designed to identify emergencies quickly
What’s on the Horizon for Pool Safety Technology?
Researchers are developing wearable devices that may one day help detect distress in the water. At the same time, many communities are pushing for additional funding to improve public pool facilities, expand swim lesson programs, and address ongoing lifeguard shortages.
As drowning incidents continue to rise nationwide, technology is becoming an important part of the conversation. But experts agree that preventing pool drownings will require a layered approach that combines technology, supervision, education, and proven safety measures.
Attorney J.J. Dominguez of The Dominguez Firm explains what to do in a worst-case scenario. “A drowning accident can change a family’s life forever. If a loved one suffered serious injuries or died, it’s important to contact an experienced pool accident attorney immediately. They can explain your rights and legal options.”
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