Brief
Improving upon modern lifeguard rescue operations and equipment.
Programs | CLO, Keyshot, Gravity Sketch
“Globally, around 300,000 people drown each year. In the United States, there are typically around 4,000 drowning deaths per year.” - World Health Organization
A Lifeguard’s Mission
A lifeguard's primary duty is to ensure the safety of individuals in and around water by monitoring activities, preventing accidents, and responding quickly to emergencies. They are trained to provide first aid, rescue swimmers in distress, and enforce safety regulations to maintain a secure environment.
Duties of a Lifeguard
Decades of No Development
1980’s - 2020’s
There has not been much change in the methods of rescue, equipment, or uniform that would assist lifeguard’s ability to rescue. There is a large opportunity to innovate with modern technologies and rethink rescue practices to reduce the number of deaths in the ocean.
A Rise in Drownings
28% Increase
19% Increase
28% Increase
Children deaths
Preventable Deaths
Over 4,500 people drowned each year in the United States from 2020 to 2022. This is about 500 more drowning deaths each year compared to 2019. - CDC
Adult Deaths
Ethnic Deaths
Common Cause for Drowings
Understanding What Causes Emergencies
Some elements cannot be controlled that a victim will be subject to whether it be natural disasters or an inattentive lifeguard. It needs to be well-understood to find solutions to reduce the impact of these occurrences.
Physical Exhaustion
Rip Currents
Missed Observations
Efficacy Of Rescue In Different Senarios
Scope Of Range
Far From Shore Emergencies
A lifeguard has to be attentive to a large area of water, and when there is an emergency very far from shore there will be a higher risk of drowning. As the lifeguard swims out to the victim, he/she will still have to be brought back to shore if there is a medical emergency.
Simultaneous Emergencies
Crowded Areas and Natural Disasters
Identifying emergencies in a large crowd is difficult as it can hide in plain sight. Lifeguards have to be extremely focused for long periods which could lead to oversight.
Immediate Attention
Nonresponsive Victims
If a victim is incapacitated in the water, lifeguards often have two choices to rescue the victim. Perform first aid in the water or decide to bring them back to shore if close enough to continue to operate. It is a matter of time and seriousness.
Concept
Adaptable Equipment
With emergencies changing with unpredictable outcomes, lifeguards need to receive the most assistance they can. There will be a focus on reducing the time to rescue, a place to rest, and options for self-rescue.
Why Aren’t Uniforms Designed for Performance?
Olympic Level Quality
Most lifeguard uniforms, don’t have many features that assist them in their ability to swim or rescue victims. They tend to be simple rashguards with board shorts.
Designed for Identification vs Designed for Speed
Lifeguards tend to have striking red, white, and yellow to help victims and other rescuers to easily identify them in the blue waters. The wetsuits/speedsuits of Olympians are mainly used to reduce water resistance and help swim at faster speeds.
Technical Inspirations
Performance Based Equipment
There are many running clothes and speedsuits that effectively works to support the user in areas of high impacted muscle groups.
Ideation
UniFlex Lifeguard Wetsuit
Responsive and Flexible
This suit was designed with the intention to maximize the efficiency and speed of the lifeguard’s ability to swim and rescue in any condition.
Firm Sealed Collar
This prevents any water from coming into the suit, keeping the user warm and comfortable from the cold ocean water.
Logo
The Red logo plays homage to the traditions and the responsibility to serve and rescue those victim to the waters while being very loud and recognizable.
Compression Fit
Integrated with compression technology the body is supported on impacted joints and muscles while reducing the drag of the user.
Dexterous Lycra Spandex
The qualities of the Lycra Spandex does a lot to keep the body aerodynamic in the water and retain a adaptable shape that is best for swimmers.
Rubber Chest
Functioning as a surfing support, the user will not easily slip off their board and maintain an ease of control.
Return on Energy
The flexible fibers forming over the contour of the shape of the lifeguards will help to conserve the energy of the swimmer by snapping back to shape which provides a boost to their swims.
A Modern Take, Designing Over Muscles
The design is meant to improve the abilities of a lifeguard but it also emphasizes the the muscle groups of the lifeguard. The lines and color blocking of the design directly show how the wetsuit supports the body in a beautifully technical form.
How Can We Improve Methods of Rescue?
Exploring Other Options
Current lifeguards come from shore to the deep water with a surfboard to reach a victim as fast as possible. They may use jetskis or boats, but at the end of the day, they always come from shore a distance away from the actual danger.
Offshore Lifeguards
Closer to the Emergency
If lifeguards were located in the water, they will have a second view of the danger and will be closer to victims in the water. Time is reduced and first aid would be able to be administered faster.
Options for Self Rescue
Resting Platform
One of the leading causes of death is because the victim is often too tired to swim back to shore. If there is a platform that they can swim to if they are tired, they will be able to recover and eventually swim back or ask a lifeguard for escort.
Technical Inspirations
Inflated Platforms
There are many variations of floating tents, so it wouldn’t be too strange to see a platform meant for emergency response. Moving the haven would be powered by a jetski and halted by water buckets or anchors.
Life Haven
Midwater Lifeguard Tower
This floating platform gives lifeguards a whole new perspective on rescuing victims. It also functions as a place of rest for anyone who needs a break from an exhuasting swim.
Sun Tarp
This provides extra comfort for the lifeguard or victims incase of a long uncomfortable wait under the sun.
Side Holds
Whoever is swimming towards the haven will have an easy grip to assist them onto it.
Life-Saving Accessories
Standard equipment is included in the haven in case of a severe emergency or any other situation that may require it.
Water Bucket/Anchor/Storage
The water buckets fill with ocean water to slow down the haven to stabilize it, but it also may act as a storage unit. There is a strap attached to the bottom if the haven that flattens the bucket if it needs to be moved.
Jet Ski Powered
The haven also acts as jetski station that can be ejected at ease or it may act as propulsion for it.
Semi-Stationary Rescue Platform
Acting as a secondary lifeguard tower, lifeguards will have a faster time reaching a drowning victim with a nearby platform to operate cpr.
Longer Distance = More Exhaustion/Time
Victim
Reduction of Distance
Diving Platform
There is a solid platform along the center of the Life Haven which makes for an easy diving point.
Immediate Response
Once the victim is brought aboard, lifeguards will be able to perform CPR on the solid surface rather than swim back to shore or perform in the water.
Side Handles
It will be easy to climb up the haven with the handles located all around it. Behind the haven is much lower, so it’ll also be easy climb onto.
Approachable On All Sides
Just as it is easy to jump from any direction, it is really important that it is easy to climb on top of any side.
Effective Rescue
Located far from shore, often behind most of the victims, lifeguards will be able to recognize danger closer up, deploy faster, and provide help sooner.