Swimming is considered to be one of the best exercises for a human body.
It is a recreational and rejuvenating exercise. People, irrespective, of their ages, take a lot of interest in swimming.
However, it can lead to some lethal consequences if some basic safety precautions are not followed. Thus, it becomes a major responsibility of each individual to ensure that the safety parameters are religiously followed.
Violating these safety rules may lead to unfortunate events including even drowning. Especially, children and youngsters need special attention to adhere to these precautions.
According to published sources, hundreds of children die each year as a consequence of accidental drowning in domestic pools.
The most surprising thing according to report is that the most drowning cases have occurred even in the presence of basic safety precautions like fencing of the pool, locking gates of pool etc.
The report portrays the immediate need of have a better security system to ensure minimal pool accidents.
Fortunately, we have today, a large variety of swimming pool safety sensors which are capable enough to solve the very concern of swimming accidents.
A pool safety alarm is basically a sensor which detects an undesired entry into the pool. For instance, if a child is sitting by the poolside, then, the sensor can easily detect it triggers the alarm.
Types of swimming pool safety alarms
Swimming pool safety alarms are of various kinds and are based upon a lot of technical know-how. Let’s have a quick look at these various kinds of alarms.
Infrared Sensors
The first kind of sensors is Infrared sensors which work by detecting the infrared(IR) waves in the specified region. These are of two types: Passive IR detector and Active detectors.
Passive Detectors:
These IR sensors detect the IR waves emitted by the human body near the pool area. These sensors, mounted at the poolside (along with the periphery of the pool) easily detect the presence of IR waves emitted from the human body and consequently trigger an alarm.
The main disadvantage of this sensor is the occurrence of a false alarm. Since IR waves can be emitted by various bodies, the cases of false alarms are increasingly reported.
Even, the alarm could be triggered due to IR wave emission from the sun. Another disadvantage is that these detectors need a set of 4 detectors (one for each side of the pool) for an effective operation.
Active detector:
These detectors emit the IR waves and respond to any change detected in the reflected IR wave.
The sensor circuit has one main sensor and 3 other IR wave reflecting surfaces. All the four components are mounted at the corner of poolside along its periphery. The set up can be understood through the following figure:
The sensor emits IR wave towards reflecting surface1. This RS1 is placed so that the incoming waves are reflected towards RS2 which, itself, is mounted to reflect the incoming waves towards RS3.
Finally, from RS3, the waves get reflected towards the sensor and the path gets completed. The sensor works by detecting any change in the reflected waves which it receives from RS3.
If any intruder makes an entry into the pool, this IR wave path is blocked, as a result of which the sensor triggers the alarm.
In order to prevent the occurrence of false alarms, the sensor is placed 1 meter above the poolside so that the cases of false alarms are reduced.
Another kind of pool detector senses the frequency range of the sound waves created in the pool water due to an entry of an object in the pool. The sensor, on detecting this frequency, triggers an alarm.
The detector is initially preferred with a frequency range which it compares with every sound wave frequency created in the pool. If the frequency of the sound wave created matches with the pre-fed frequency range, the alarm is triggered.
Few of the sensors which operate through the abovementioned mechanism are set up in a different manner. These sensors are placed on the surface of the water so that their sensing portion is above the water surface.
On detecting any frequency wave in the water, the sensor triggers an alarm.
Another type of pool alarm can be widely used by the new swimming learners and children. The detector has a sensor portion and a timer which is fixed for an interval of time for which the sensing portion can remain in contact with water.
Once, the sensing portion remains in touch with water for the time beyond that of the timer, the alarm is triggered.
There is one more type of safety alarm which can be used while swimming. This device is fixed on the arm of the swimmer and it works by detecting the physiological movement of the arm.
As it is a well-known fact that the swimming incorporates the swinging of arm on a very large scale. However, when a person drowns, the movement of his arms is dramatically reduced.
This sensor, generally, detects the change in the frequency of the arm movement of the swimmer. Once the movement of the arm attains a frequency lower than the pre-fed frequency range of the sensor, the alarm is triggered.
Benefits of pool safety alarm
The pool safety alarm has a lot of benefits. Some of these are enlisted below:
- It can detect the entry of small children into the pool in the absence of elder person so as to avoid accidents.
- It can detect the unwanted intrusion of strangers or animals into the pool.
- These alarms can be used by new beginners and children and can, surely, make swimming an enjoyable experience each time.
Limitations of pool safety alarm
The pool safety alarm can have some kind of limitations also. Here are some of them:
- Maintenance of the sensor is a big problem.
- The cases of false alarms, due to non-human factor, also contribute to the problem.
- The space for installation and storage (when not in use) is a typical problem faced by many users.
- The type of batteries (power source for the sensor) also plays a problem. However, thanks to the advanced technology that today most of the sensor use solar batteries.
How to buy a good pool alarm system?
There is a large variety of pool safety alarms available in the market. So the buyers must decide judiciously before choosing a correct product. Here, in this article, we provide a set of features of a good pool safety alarm. Buyers can surely take into their considerations following points before they go out for a pool safety alarm.
- It is always advisable to purchase the safety alarm attachable to the poolside or those which could be mounted on the swimmer’s body rather than those which monitor water surface movements in the pool.
- The alarm should have an appropriate sound range.
- The duration, for which the alarm rings, should be adjustable.
- The device must have been designed with the latest technology.
Popular brands of swimming pool alarm systems
At the conclusion of the article, we provide a list of some popular brands which have been delivering quality pool safety alarm products.
The readers can certainly rely on these brands:
Poolguard: It is a US based company which manufactures various pool safety alarms along with door and gate alarms. The company provides good customer care services. Its main products include Poolguard PGRM-2 In-Ground pool alarm and PGRM-SB Safety Buoy Pool Alarm. Check out its products here>
AquaGuard: The brand is famous for producing the most reliable pool safety alarms. The products are simple and easy to use. Check out its products here>
Safety Turtle: The company is known for manufacturing products which are easy and simple to use. In fact, the pool alarm of this company can be easily installed without much problem. Its key product is Safety Turtle Swimming Pool Alarm Wristband. Check out its products here>