There is now a new and innovative way to save humans from drowning. The technology is now making its way to Brighton. Brighton people could benefit from this technology more than ever.
321 people died from drowning in 2015 alone, in the UK. The statistics, published by the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF), determined that the majority of the drownings was non-intentional. There is also worry about the amount of drunk people that end up losing their life in the beaches of Brighton. The government has worked towards finding a solution to the issue. The technology is operated with the use of a remote-control. The remote-control buoy, named Dolphin 1 has been deployed to Brighton after local businesses worked together to make that happen. The buoy can travel 10 knots in any direction. It is equipped with handlers that people can cling to in order to make their way to the shore.
The float can be guided from 150 meters and it has a battery life of 30 minutes. The buoy is yet to be tested in different situations and conditions to determine exactly the efficiency percentage in each situation. Going to the beach and swimming is a fun and enjoyable activity until situations and circumstances change. Every decision made while being under water can be critical. Most people do not expect issues when going to the beach with their families. Unforeseen situations, however, arise all the time and the remote-control buoy is a potential way of reducing drownings and preventing accidents from happening. Brighton Beach Patrol, the company in charge of testing the technology, is hoping to make rescue missions more efficient without putting other people’s lives on the line.
‘It is those vital few moments in-between the arrival of the RNLI and emergency services and someone who is suffering from cold water shock’.
The technology is not a replacement, it is simply an addition to the rescue teams.
