42 people drown everyday, even at beaches monitored by lifeguards. Especially on a packed beach with hundreds of people enjoying the water, it can be really difficult to spot a person that is drowning. So how can we help lifeguards to localize and rescue active drowning victims. You can use rush with a wristband or clip it to your swimwear. Once you flip the lever, the alarm goes off and the lifeguards get notified. Microphones in the water can pinpoint your location and then guide the lifeguard through sound via a bone conduction headset.Rush is equipped with a sensor setup that monitors your vital signs and triggers the alarm if it detects that you are drowning. Additionally to being a lifesaver, Rush also works as a key for the lockers at the beach.

Introducing a smart wearable for enhanced swimming safety. Wearable as a clip or wrist strap, it monitors vital signs to predict and detect drowning incidents. Additionally, it features a manual trigger for self-initiated help. With innovative sound technology, it can send distress signals. These signals are then picked up by a sensor buoy, facilitating the locating of drowning victims by lifeguards.

Beaches attract crowds of swimmers, sunbathers, and beachgoers, creating a bustling environment that can obscure lifeguards‘ view of the water. With so many people present, it‘s challenging for lifeguards to quickly identify swimmers in distress amidst the busy scene. Environmental factors such as glare from the sun, breaking waves, and murky water conditions can impede lifeguards‘ visibility, making it difficult to spot individuals in need of assistance. These conditions create visual obstacles, further complicating the lifeguard‘s task of surveillance and rescue. Drowning is often a silent and inconspicuous event, with victims unable to call out for help as they become overwhelmed by water. Amidst the noise of the beach, lifeguards must rely on keen observation and awareness of subtle cues to identify signs of distress and respond promptly to those in need. Swift action is paramount in water rescues to prevent brain damage and other serious consequences. However, amidst crowded or turbulent waters, locating drowning individuals quickly can be challenging. Lifeguards must act decisively to minimize risks and ensure the safety of beachgoers.

The aim of this project was to merge sound technology with a real-world application, prompting us to delve into the pressing issue of drowning. Our journey began with brainstorming and concept development, culminating in a refined focus on supervised beaches. I then crafted initial prototypes using Cardboard and subsequently advanced to constructing an Arduino prototype for user evaluation. We then progressed to creating 3D printed prototypes to assess the effectiveness of the trigger mechanism. Through iterations, we opted for a soft-switch, considering its suitability for use in aquatic conditions. An important lesson learned was the importance of keeping the device as low-tech as possible to minimize costs and maximize accessibility. To validate our prototyping results, we devised various user tests. Initially, users listened to sounds and pinpointed their direction using bone-conducting headphones. Subsequently, we covered the test candidates‘ eyes and guided them via sound through the headphones, simulating the navigation system to reach a drowning victim in the water. All candidates successfully located the victim within seconds using sound guidance alone. Following this, we conducted additional tests to evaluate the usability of the trigger mechanism. Following this, we sought to assess the prototyping in a real-world setting, leading us to the swimming pool. Here, we evaluated both the product‘s usability and the effectiveness of the guiding system in aquatic conditions. This phase proved to be the most fun part of the project. The Rush device offers versatile wearing options, functioning either as a clip or a wrist strap. When used as a clip, it securely attaches to your swimsuit, ensuring that the sensor maintains contact with your skin and the trigger remains unobstructed. Alternatively, the strap, crafted from durable waterproof material, provides a reliable and comfortable option for wearing during aquatic activities.

In conclusion, Rush monitors vital information such as heart rate, breathing, and blood-oxygen level, using this data to predict or detect potential drowning incidents. The device can also be manually triggered for immediate assistance. With Rush we want to assist lifeguards in locating and rescuing drowning victims to enhance swimming safety for everybody.