The summer of 2026 has once again placed water safety at the center of the conversation.
According to data collected by EL PAÍS, 363 drowning deaths were recorded in Spain between January 1 and September 2, 2026. Of these, 239 occurred between June and August, making this period the summer with the highest number of drowning deaths since record-keeping began in 2015.
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Beyond the figures, there is a reality that is particularly relevant for those who manage aquatic facilities: a drowning incident does not always look like a drowning.
The danger of silent drownings
In contrast to the typical image of shouting and sudden movements, many episodes can occur rapidly and virtually silently.
In crowded pools, visually detecting an anomalous situation among dozens of swimmers can be challenging, even for trained professionals.
Drowning incidents can escalate very quickly. Therefore, safety should not rely on a single preventive barrier.
Professional monitoring remains essential, but it can be reinforced through training, protocols, and technology capable of providing real-time information.
Technology that reinforces the lifeguard’s work
nagiGuard connects swimmers with the lifeguard and generates real-time alerts when the system detects a drowning incident or a potential drowning. The lifeguard receives the notification via a vibration on their wristband, and it can also be viewed on a fixed display.
The goal is not to replace the lifeguard, but to provide an additional layer of information that facilitates earlier risk detection.
Learn more about nagiGuard: https://nagi.es/nagiguard
People + protocols + technology
Drowning prevention requires a comprehensive approach. Active supervision, training, protocols, and awareness-raising remain fundamental. Today, technology can serve as an additional preventive barrier.
This vision connects nagi and the Royal Spanish Lifesaving and First Aid Federation (RFESS): specialized knowledge in prevention and lifesaving combined with technological innovation applied to aquatic safety.
There is a public history regarding the relationship between the two approaches. Nagi Smartpool participated in the International Congress on Drowning Prevention organized by the RFESS, where it presented technology applied to pool safety and the detection of prolonged submersion.
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