Wave Drowning Detection System in use by Clearfield Aquatics
Jun 8, 2023, 9:30 PM
The Clearfield Aquatic Center is using technology called the Wave Drowning Detection System as a way to prevent drownings. Children 12 and younger are required to wear a headset when they swim in Clearfield pools. Photo credit: Clearfield Aquatic and Fitness Center Facebook page
CLEARFIELD, Utah — A new detection system called the Wave Drowning Detection System is being used by Clearfield Aquatics. It will alert lifeguards if a child is under water for 20 seconds or longer.
Clint Warnick, director of the Clearfield Aquatic Center, joined Dave and Dujanovic on Thursday to discuss the headset that could potentially prevent drownings.
Debbie Dujanovic opens the conversation by asking, “Walk us through, first of all, how it works and then tell us how this could save a child’s life?”
“I’m really excited about it,” Warnick said. “And what it’s gonna do for helping with kids’ safety at our pools.”
Warnick says the headset is similar to a bluetooth headset, and all swimmers would wear one. Children ages 12 and younger are required to wear one when swimming at a Clearfield pool.
“Something similar to you, what you would wear at the gym for listening to music,” he said.
Warnick says it goes on the back of your head. If an individual is under water for 20 seconds or more, it will alert the lifeguards. Warnick says the lifeguards will be wearing wristbands. The wristband will vibrate if someone has gone under water for more than 20 seconds.
Warnick says there is also a locator beacon at each pool that would go off as well.
“So that way, we’ll know which pool they’re in,” he said. “And hopefully within those first 20 seconds, we can respond and make the rescue.”
Push back on the Wave Drowning Detection System?
Dujanovic asked, “Has there been any resistance by kids to wear these things? And what scenarios do these things fall off?”
“It’s (like) any kind of rule regulation, people are going to be upset about it when they hear about it,” Warnick said. “Or when they’re presented with having to wear it or not coming to the center.”
Warnick says no matter the rule, kids are always going to try and push back.
“So, there’s definitely been some of that,” he said. “Some of that with parents as well as new technology, something new that’s being required.”
Warnick says it cost the city about $20,000 to initially install the software. And that is for the headsets, the main hub creating the sound and the beacons.
Currently, Warnick says the city has 160 headsets, but is expecting an additional 20 headsets in the near future.
Listen to the entire segment.
Dave & Dujanovic can be heard weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon. on KSL NewsRadio. Users can find the show on the KSL NewsRadio website and app, as well as Apple Podcasts and Google Play.
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