My Innovation:
The Basics
My innovation consists of an improved life saving flotation device. Essentially, the new flotation device would resemble a typical life ring, but would have a built in GPS tracker. sea dye marker and weather-proof protective case.
GPS Technology
The technology behind the GPS is very similar to a GPS that is found in a phone. This GPS would water-proof. As soon as the flotation device is taken out of its protective the GPS will be activated. Once activated the GPS will send a signal to the nearest coastguard or life guard station. The rescuers will be given exact coordinates of where the device is so that they know where to go. This is crucial because time is a drowning person's enemy. The quicker the rescuers can be notified and know where to go the higher chance a victim has of surviving. Each time the tracker is activated the data will be saved. This data can be used to better predict areas of high risk swimming and areas that would benefit from having a lifeguard.
The technology behind the GPS is very similar to a GPS that is found in a phone. This GPS would water-proof. As soon as the flotation device is taken out of its protective the GPS will be activated. Once activated the GPS will send a signal to the nearest coastguard or life guard station. The rescuers will be given exact coordinates of where the device is so that they know where to go. This is crucial because time is a drowning person's enemy. The quicker the rescuers can be notified and know where to go the higher chance a victim has of surviving. Each time the tracker is activated the data will be saved. This data can be used to better predict areas of high risk swimming and areas that would benefit from having a lifeguard.
Sea Dye
The sea dye is a florescent green dye which spreads across the surface of the water. It would be encased in a water soluble bag located on the bottom of the flotation device. The case would dissolve once it came in contact with the water. The purpose of this dye is to help the victim to stand out in the water. One of the things a first responder tells a person who is reporting a drowning to do is to watch where exactly the victim went under. This dye would help to show where the victim went under and make it easier for the rescuers to spot them.
The sea dye is a florescent green dye which spreads across the surface of the water. It would be encased in a water soluble bag located on the bottom of the flotation device. The case would dissolve once it came in contact with the water. The purpose of this dye is to help the victim to stand out in the water. One of the things a first responder tells a person who is reporting a drowning to do is to watch where exactly the victim went under. This dye would help to show where the victim went under and make it easier for the rescuers to spot them.
Weather-proof Protective Case
The case will be made of the same material that an electrical box is made of, which will provide protection from harsh outdoor elements. There will be both word and picture instructions on how to use the device on the outside of the case. To prevent vandalism, there will be a ticket associated with anyone who tampers with the flotation device when it is not needed for saving a victim's life.
The case will be made of the same material that an electrical box is made of, which will provide protection from harsh outdoor elements. There will be both word and picture instructions on how to use the device on the outside of the case. To prevent vandalism, there will be a ticket associated with anyone who tampers with the flotation device when it is not needed for saving a victim's life.
Cost and Implementation
How much will this cost?
A normal flotation device costs about $60. A waterproof GPS tracker will cost about $30. The sea dye will cost about $20. The weatherproof case will cost about $25. All of these costs added up come to be about $135. There would be maintenance costs to make sure the boxes and everything in them were still working. After a certain amount of time the box and flotation device would need to be replaced. While it may seem like a lot of money to invest into, the reality is that this flotation device would in a sense take the place of a lifeguard (this lifeguard is one who is certified to watch a beach or lake). A lifeguard on average makes $22 per hour. Lifeguards are needed seven days a week and work about 50 hours a week. This comes to a total of $7,700 that is spent on lifeguards a week. This cost far exceeds the amount that it would take to place one of the new life saving flotation devices. Additionally, the value of one's life will outweigh any cost.
How will this be implemented?
A device would be placed at any beach, lake, or pond that is public, but does not have a life guard on duty. The device cannot be placed on a private residential beach unless the owners have purchased it and maintain it.
A normal flotation device costs about $60. A waterproof GPS tracker will cost about $30. The sea dye will cost about $20. The weatherproof case will cost about $25. All of these costs added up come to be about $135. There would be maintenance costs to make sure the boxes and everything in them were still working. After a certain amount of time the box and flotation device would need to be replaced. While it may seem like a lot of money to invest into, the reality is that this flotation device would in a sense take the place of a lifeguard (this lifeguard is one who is certified to watch a beach or lake). A lifeguard on average makes $22 per hour. Lifeguards are needed seven days a week and work about 50 hours a week. This comes to a total of $7,700 that is spent on lifeguards a week. This cost far exceeds the amount that it would take to place one of the new life saving flotation devices. Additionally, the value of one's life will outweigh any cost.
How will this be implemented?
A device would be placed at any beach, lake, or pond that is public, but does not have a life guard on duty. The device cannot be placed on a private residential beach unless the owners have purchased it and maintain it.