Technology & lifeguards Working together to keep pools safe

Jo Talbot Commercial Director RLSS UK

Technology is integral to everyday life, from commuting to work and helping children with their schoolwork to doing the weekly shop and enjoying sports. Our industry is no exception, with swimming pools increasingly embracing technology. Today, almost 10% of swimming pools are utilising swimming pool supervision technology to enhance safety and to support their lifeguards; a development that is encouraged by RLSS UK. As the UK’s leading water safety experts, swimming pool safety sits at the very heart of RLSS UK’s purpose: to prevent drowning, so everyone can enjoy water safely. We are committed to supporting operators in all aspects of pool safety, starting with our research-backed National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ), which was awarded over 45,000 times in 2025. In addition, we provide free, expert-led guidance to help operators navigate new activities, challenging situations and implement best-practice safety standards.

We are proud to have played a key role in helping the industry embrace technology by offering clear, practical guidance for operators. Swimming pool supervision technology is widely available across the UK and Ireland through four main suppliers. These systems provide automated monitoring and detection, alerting lifeguards when a swimmer may need help, which significantly enhances safety and operational confidence.

Why is technology adoption increasing in the industry? Operators are facing significant challenges, including rising operational costs, energy prices, staffing shortages and increased staffing costs.

Many operators are turning to technology to help address these pressures. Technology enables smarter management of resources, for example, optimising low-risk sessions and monitoring pool occupancy to improve programming and reduce costs.

Beyond operational efficiency, enhancing safety is a key reason for adopting technology. Swimming pool supervision technology provides lifeguards with extra support and adds a layer of protection, reassuring both operators and pool users.

Will technology replace lifeguards? We are commonly asked: “Will lifeguards still have a role in the future?” The answer is clear: lifeguards are essential. Their role extends far beyond rescue; they are critical in prevention. Lifeguards actively educate pool users and intervene before incidents occur, whether it’s identifying a child who has wandered from the changing rooms alone, preventing a backstroke swimmer from colliding with the wall, or assisting a parent who has momentarily lost sight of their toddler.

While technology can detect emergencies such as a swimmer becoming submerged, lifeguards often prevent these situations from happening in the first place.

They are also essential for rescue, recovery and immediate first aid. Unless technology evolves into robotic systems capable of performing these tasks, lifeguards will continue to be a permanent and vital fixture in swimming pool safety.

Guidance available to support operators To support operators who are considering adopting technology or are already using these systems, we have worked with CIMSPA, Swim England and ukactive to provide free and comprehensive guidance since 2023.

Join us to meet with the four main pool supervision technology suppliers, see a system demonstrated and hear from leading experts at a dedicated Swimming Pool Supervision Technology event, proudly sponsored by RLSS UK. The event will take place on Thursday 29 January 2026, at Kirby Leisure Centre, Nottingham. For further details, email [learnmore@rlss.org.uk](mailto:learnmore@rlss.org.uk)

While technology can detect emergencies such as a swimmer becoming submerged, lifeguards often prevent these situations from happening in the first place