A Smart Multi-Sensor Device to Detect Distress in Swimmers
Drowning is considered amongst the top 10 causes of unintentional death, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Therefore, anti-drowning systems that can save lives by preventing and detecting drowning are much needed. This paper proposes a robust and waterproof sensor-based device to det...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/3/1059 |
| _version_ | 1797484675249209344 |
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| author | Salman Jalalifar Afsaneh Kashizadeh Ishmam Mahmood Andrew Belford Nicolle Drake Amir Razmjou Mohsen Asadnia |
| author_facet | Salman Jalalifar Afsaneh Kashizadeh Ishmam Mahmood Andrew Belford Nicolle Drake Amir Razmjou Mohsen Asadnia |
| author_sort | Salman Jalalifar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Drowning is considered amongst the top 10 causes of unintentional death, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Therefore, anti-drowning systems that can save lives by preventing and detecting drowning are much needed. This paper proposes a robust and waterproof sensor-based device to detect distress in swimmers at varying depths and different types of water environments. The proposed device comprises four main components, including heart rate, blood oxygen level, movement, and depth sensors. Although these sensors were designed to work together to boost the system’s capability as an anti-drowning device, each could operate independently. The sensors were able to determine the heart rate to an accuracy of 1 beat per minute (BPM), 1% SpO<sub>2</sub>, the acceleration with adjustable sensitivities of ±2 g, ±4 g, ±8 g, and ±16 g, and the depth up to 12.8 m. The data obtained from the sensors were sent to a microcontroller that compared the input data to adjustable threshold values to detect dangerous situations. Being in hazardous situations for more than a specific time activated the alarming system. Based on the comparison made in the program and measuring the time of submersion, a message indicating drowning or safe was sent to a lifeguard to continuously monitor the swimmer’ condition via Wi-Fi to an IP address reachable by a mobile phone or laptop. It is also possible to continuously monitor the sensor outputs on the device’s display or the connected mobile phone or laptop. The threshold values could be adjusted based on biometric parameters such as swimming conditions (swimming pool, beach, depth, etc.) and swimmers health and conditions. The functionality of the proposed device was thoroughly tested over a wide range of parameters and under different conditions, both in air and underwater. It was demonstrated that the device could detect a range of potentially hazardous aquatic situations. This work will pave the way for developing an effective drowning sensing system that could save tens of thousands of lives across the globe every year. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:07:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-64f8653a47034b2a95b9d9452fb80a7b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:07:48Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-64f8653a47034b2a95b9d9452fb80a7b2023-11-23T17:49:59ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202022-01-01223105910.3390/s22031059A Smart Multi-Sensor Device to Detect Distress in SwimmersSalman Jalalifar0Afsaneh Kashizadeh1Ishmam Mahmood2Andrew Belford3Nicolle Drake4Amir Razmjou5Mohsen Asadnia6School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, AustraliaFaculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran 1983969411, IranSchool of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, AustraliaSchool of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, AustraliaSmile Like Drake Foundation, Brookvale, NSW 2100, AustraliaCentre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, AustraliaSchool of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, AustraliaDrowning is considered amongst the top 10 causes of unintentional death, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Therefore, anti-drowning systems that can save lives by preventing and detecting drowning are much needed. This paper proposes a robust and waterproof sensor-based device to detect distress in swimmers at varying depths and different types of water environments. The proposed device comprises four main components, including heart rate, blood oxygen level, movement, and depth sensors. Although these sensors were designed to work together to boost the system’s capability as an anti-drowning device, each could operate independently. The sensors were able to determine the heart rate to an accuracy of 1 beat per minute (BPM), 1% SpO<sub>2</sub>, the acceleration with adjustable sensitivities of ±2 g, ±4 g, ±8 g, and ±16 g, and the depth up to 12.8 m. The data obtained from the sensors were sent to a microcontroller that compared the input data to adjustable threshold values to detect dangerous situations. Being in hazardous situations for more than a specific time activated the alarming system. Based on the comparison made in the program and measuring the time of submersion, a message indicating drowning or safe was sent to a lifeguard to continuously monitor the swimmer’ condition via Wi-Fi to an IP address reachable by a mobile phone or laptop. It is also possible to continuously monitor the sensor outputs on the device’s display or the connected mobile phone or laptop. The threshold values could be adjusted based on biometric parameters such as swimming conditions (swimming pool, beach, depth, etc.) and swimmers health and conditions. The functionality of the proposed device was thoroughly tested over a wide range of parameters and under different conditions, both in air and underwater. It was demonstrated that the device could detect a range of potentially hazardous aquatic situations. This work will pave the way for developing an effective drowning sensing system that could save tens of thousands of lives across the globe every year.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/3/1059drowning detectionheart rateoxygen saturationaccelerometerwater depthtime of submersion |
| spellingShingle | Salman Jalalifar Afsaneh Kashizadeh Ishmam Mahmood Andrew Belford Nicolle Drake Amir Razmjou Mohsen Asadnia A Smart Multi-Sensor Device to Detect Distress in Swimmers Sensors drowning detection heart rate oxygen saturation accelerometer water depth time of submersion |
| title | A Smart Multi-Sensor Device to Detect Distress in Swimmers |
| title_full | A Smart Multi-Sensor Device to Detect Distress in Swimmers |
| title_fullStr | A Smart Multi-Sensor Device to Detect Distress in Swimmers |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Smart Multi-Sensor Device to Detect Distress in Swimmers |
| title_short | A Smart Multi-Sensor Device to Detect Distress in Swimmers |
| title_sort | smart multi sensor device to detect distress in swimmers |
| topic | drowning detection heart rate oxygen saturation accelerometer water depth time of submersion |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/3/1059 |
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