Inside the lifesaving AI technology that has already saved two Australians as it rolls out nationwide
The system monitors pools for signs a swimmer may be in trouble.
AI-powered cameras designed to detect swimmers in distress and alert lifeguards in real time are set to be installed at two of Brisbane’s busiest pools.
The technology is being rolled out in about 100 facilities nationwide and has reportedly already saved two lives.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: AI cameras to assist lifeguards at Australian pools
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The new safety system simultaneously monitors all pools users, detecting signs a swimmer may be in trouble and immediately alerting lifeguards through a smartwatch.
The alert pinpoints the swimmer’s exact location, allowing lifeguards to intervene rapidly when every second counts.
Royal Life Saving Australia chief operating officer RJ Houston said the technology would “superpower” lifeguards by giving them “eyes in the back of their head”.
“Australian pool lifeguards do a great job. They respond to about 8,000 rescues every year in Australian public pools and maybe 14,000 medical episodes,” Houston said.
“But they can’t be everywhere and see everything all at once.”
Houston stressed the system would support lifeguards rather than replace them or reduce staffing numbers.
“It’s not a replacement for lifeguards. It’s really there as an extra layer of support,” he said.
The cameras do not identify swimmers or collect personal data, functioning solely as a safety tool.
The rollout comes after Australia recorded 357 drowning deaths in 2024-2025, according to Royal Life Saving Australia’s 2025 National Drowning Report.
That number is a 27 per cent above the 10-year average.
Of those deaths, 35 occurred in swimming pools.
Originally published on Sunrise
