Advancements in Sonar Technology for Enhanced Water Safety

Water safety technology has made impressive leaps in recent years.

And the numbers don’t lie: drowning is a major issue. According to the CDC, from 2020 to 2022, more than 4,500 people on average died by drowning each year. That’s 500 more drowning deaths per year compared to 2019.

So you have to wonder, are we doing enough?

We’ve decided to take a closer look at how modern sonar technology is helping search and rescue teams save lives by pinpointing the location of water safety victims more quickly than ever before.

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably got some questions too.

What you’ll discover:

1. How Does Sonar Technology Work in Water Rescue?
2. The Role of AI in Modern Sonar Systems
3. The Limitations of Traditional Search Methods
4. Key Features of Advanced Rescue Sonar Technology
5. The Future of Water Safety Technology

Let’s dive right in and take a look at how this important technology is making a difference.

How Sonar Technology Works for Water Rescue

Sonar technology stands for Sound Navigation and Ranging.

Sonar systems use sound waves to bounce off objects and determine their location. The sound waves travel through water and then are reflected back as an echo from the object below the surface.

The returning echoes are then analyzed and processed to determine the target location.

This technology is commonly used in the fishing industry to identify fish, detect wrecks, and for underwater mapping applications.

Sonar has also proved itself as an effective tool for rescue operations to find victims submerged underwater.

Modern sonar technology for police and rescue teams is more sophisticated than ever, with advances in AI and software for human body detection and direction finding.

Handheld sonar devices, such as aquaeye sonar, combine advanced sonar technology with artificial intelligence. This technology has become water safety technology that helps first responders identify human bodies below the surface. Sonar systems equipped with AI are also reducing search times.

That allows first responders to scan large areas in minutes instead of hours, speeding up rescue efforts and improving chances of survival.

Sonar systems can be operated with a single hand, allowing first responders to search up to 8,000 square meters of water in less than five minutes.

The comparison is grid search patterns that take hours or days to complete.

Traditional methods are proving to be completely ineffective when it comes to rescue missions.

The Role of AI in Modern Sonar Systems

Artificial intelligence has completely changed the way sonar systems function.

Instead of expert analysis to interpret complex readings, AI sonar can automatically detect potential targets. The in-built intelligence in the system will process the returning echoes in real-time and will automatically highlight potential human bodies on the display.

Speed is key to saving drowning victims, so the fact that AI can quickly cut through false positives to find the target is huge.

The WHO’s 2024 report shows that more than 30 people every hour die from drowning. In total, almost 300,000 drowning deaths in 2021.

AI-enabled systems are being developed on the back of thousands of scans and evidence, so they can be more reliable.

AI systems can quickly sort out which objects in the water are human bodies and which are debris or rock formations.

As well as showing the direction, the technology will provide depth information on the detected target.

Why Traditional Search Methods Fall Short

Traditional underwater searches for victims are complex and dangerous.

Divers can only see a few feet in murky water. Searches take a long time, are extremely physically demanding, and are not always successful in finding victims.

Side scan sonar has been available for years but has had significant practical drawbacks, including being expensive and needing trained operators.

Towed systems from manufacturers work well but take time to set up and aren’t particularly practical for quick reaction operations.

The development of a handheld and portable device that can be deployed within seconds of the first responder’s arrival on the scene is the real game-changer.

Rescue teams are able to get started with their search and rescue mission before boats and dive teams are even ready.

Key Features of Advanced Rescue Sonar

Sonar technology is not created equally.

The most efficient and effective water safety technology for rescue missions will have a set of features in common.

Rescue sonar devices should:

• Be instantly ready for deployment on arrival at the scene
• Have AI target detection
• Offer dual-frequency sonar
• Have depth indicators

Systems that meet these criteria have reduced search times by up to 90% in some instances when compared to traditional search methods.

It goes without saying that rescue equipment needs to be durable.

Rescue devices must be able to withstand drops, bumps, knocks, and immersion. IP68 is one of the highest water-resistance ratings.

Sonar Technology Integration With Other Technologies

Water safety technology does not work in isolation.

The best rescue operations integrate and combine several different technologies to get comprehensive water safety and location information.

Sonar systems can be integrated with underwater drones, cameras, and positioning systems.

ROVs equipped with sonar can be remotely navigated around difficult areas. Feedback and updates are immediately given to an operator.

Ultra-short baseline positioning systems help track the precise location of equipment underwater.

Doppler velocity systems give stabilization.

This collaborative technology approach works together to get the best from the different water safety technologies. While sonar can quickly identify potential targets, cameras can be used to visually confirm them.

ROVs can access confined spaces and areas that would be unsafe for divers.

Navigation sensors can also help teams keep track of where they are underwater.

The Future of Water Safety Technology

Sonar technology continues to rapidly advance.

3D multibeam imaging sonar technology is the next generation of underwater target detection technology. This new generation of sonar creates three-dimensional point cloud images in real-time. This provides more details about the underwater environment.

The advancements of intelligent unmanned underwater systems in recent years have put demands on sensors with more functions and more flexibility. A future-proof solution could be software-defined sonar architectures that can be easily upgraded and altered for different underwater detection requirements.

Wrapping It All Up

Sonar technology is making a real difference to water safety and rescue operations.

The combination of advanced sonar and artificial intelligence are providing first responders with the tools needed to locate victims in minutes instead of hours.

• Modern sonar uses sound waves to locate objects underwater
• Artificial intelligence (AI) is being integrated into sonar systems to remove guesswork
• Handheld devices can be deployed immediately upon arrival
• Searches can be reduced by up to 90%
• Sonar technology is continuing to advance

Drowning statistics are still staggering. But with continued investments in water safety technology and more advanced rescue operations, we are giving first responders the tools needed to save more lives.

Time is of the essence when it comes to water emergencies. Advanced sonar technology is helping rescue teams use those seconds to their full potential.