WHO?
WHERE?
WHAT?
WHY?
Female and male lifeguards (aged 17-30)
Summer at the beach during workhours
Create a more comfortable and convenient work-experience
Less distraction for the lifeguards will positively influence the safety of the visitors
Analysing current situation
Life vests are used to add more buoyance when swimming with person in need. But it restricts the lifeguard in his sights and flexibility while swimming.
Analysing the evolution of the current life vests: becoming small, yet still considered disturbing (eg.: while running)
Analysing tools of the lifeguards to find room for improvement.
Working towards solutions:
Combine the traditional buoy (not used anymore due inefficiency while swimming) with the current life vest.
The drowning persons first interaction could with the rescue tool, and in almost every situation it would situate itself between swimmer and lifeguard. Therefore, the feeling it radiates is important.
Pointy forms are related within our brains with danger and agitation, while round ones are not.
Exploring options
Exploration forms: based on animals in nature
Concept
This inflatable buoy is made with the thought of designing a more comfortable work experience for lifeguards. The usual life vest will be replaced by a less disturbing waist band made out of neoprene to suit different body types. By optimising the work experience for the lifeguards, their focus will increase and a person in need could be noticed faster. The buoy is suited for different situations due his flexible, yet solid shape. This is a life tool designed for both the lifeguard and person in need, which makes it an exceptional design.
This inflatable buoy is made with the thought of designing a more comfortable work experience for lifeguards. The usual life vest will be replaced by a less disturbing waist band made out of neoprene to suit different body types. By optimising the work experience for the lifeguards, their focus will increase and a person in need could be noticed faster. The buoy is suited for different situations due his flexible, yet solid shape. This is a life tool designed for both the lifeguard and person in need, which makes it an exceptional design.
User testing with neoprene prototype to find out user-friendliness in putting on waist band and during use.
Rapid prototyping of buoy to test flexibility shape in multiple situations
Suitable for different situations
The strength of this design is that the buoy can be used in different situations. Depending on the lifeguard and the person in need, the most efficient and fast way of attaching can be used.
Buoyance makes hips and legs "float" near surface
+
Lifeguard can easily grab shoulders of person in need.
Head person in need stays above water without effort
+
Lifeguard can more easily swim (use both arms and legs)
Context situation
