Sink or swim
How a new technology helps ease the risk of drowning
My parents used to warn about the dangers of eating a large meal before taking a swim. They would insist I wait at least fifteen minutes to join other youngsters in our community pool—and reluctantly I would. Their caution didn’t stop there. While visiting my grandparents near the Long Island Sound, my arms were shoved through giant floatation devices before I was allowed to go for a dip in the ocean. They held my hands as we waded through shallow waters.
Although it seemed overcautious and at times unnecessary, my family worried there would be an accident. Turns out for a good reason. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about ten people die from drowning per day, and approximately two out of those ten are under age fourteen.
Recently, a new technology has emerged to ease parental anxieties and create a safer swimming environment. Meet Kingii: the smallest inflatable in the world.
I learned about Kingii while reading the New York Times Well section, and it immediately piqued my interest. The Kingii is worn around the wrist, and deployed when a child or adult feels they are in imminent danger of drowning. Many people might feel inconvenienced by personal flotation devices while kayaking or paddle boarding. Face it, lifejackets aren’t always comfortable or the most fashionable either. What makes Kingii special is its compact size and instantaneous response method. It straps on like a watch, and is reportedly 78 times smaller than a standard lifejacket.
The product is currently being funded on Indiegogo— a site where e strangers can help fund projects like this. So far, it has garnered over $600,000. However, not everybody can afford such high-tech gear. A less-expensive, more longterm solution, is to educate children on proper swimming techniques and other water safety measures.
Although Kingii is wearable technology, it’s different than the iWatch or FitBit. Kingii is designed to help in emergency situations, rather than keep patients healthy. It may help keep patients out of emergency rooms, which can prevent overcrowding and reduce patient wait times. But even more importantly, it will give parents like mine peace of mind when taking their children to swim.