Highlights Reveal Understaffing Issues in Numerous Bath establishments
Staff Shortages Plague German Public Pools Amid Demand Surge
Indoor and outdoor pools across Germany are confronting staffing shortages, according to a recent survey by the Association of Municipal Enterprises. As of the beginning of the month, nearly four out of ten facilities are yet to fill all their vacant positions, with more than a quarter reporting more than ten percent of positions still unfilled.
This staffing crunch threatens the operation hours of outdoor pools, which have commenced or resumed their season. A fourth of pool operators have earlier been forced to close temporarily on weekends due to staff shortages or overcrowding, according to the survey.
Implications for Opening Hours
"The demand for pools and lifeguards amongst the German public is substantial yet limited," stated Ingbert Liebing, managing director of the association. He added that the trend could intensify due to demographic changes. The lifeguard team's decision regarding pool operation hours will likely resemble a chef's choice of restaurant hours, according to Liebing.
Several pools have transitioned to AI-assisted video surveillance in indoor pools as an adjunct to human lifeguards. However, the use of AI for outdoor pool surveillance is more expensive and intricate, as it requires more cameras.
Potential for AI Adoption
Approximately one-third of surveyed operators anticipate adopting AI for water surveillance within the next three years, the survey revealed. Though the technology is currently sparse, AI-supported systems have the potential to detect individuals in distress on the pool floor and alert lifeguards.
This technology has been around for about two decades. Its novelty stems from its proactive approach, which identifies potentially hazardous movement patterns before emergencies occur, thus allowing lifeguards to intervene promptly.
Legal and Regulatory Uncertainties
Many pool operators express uncertainty over the legal landscape, as the legislature grapples with data protection concerns, according to the survey. The societal importance of AI's life-saving potential necessitates its reliable regulation, Liebing asserted. Some respondents cited expensive system purchases or acceptance concerns among bathers as obstacles to the technology's implementation.
Germany's "Bäderatlas" lists over 6,000 indoor and outdoor pools nationwide. The Association of Municipal Enterprises represents more than 1,500 municipal utilities and communal enterprises in areas such as energy, water, and wastewater, according to its own information.
When considering the possible legal and practical challenges associated with implementing AI in lifeguarding tasks in Germany, the broader EU regulatory framework provides a useful perspective. These challenges include operationalizing the Artificial Intelligence Act, ensuring public trust, and addressing technical challenges for enhanced AI performance.
- The lifeguard team's decision-making process might resemble that of a restaurant chef, who managing operating hours to meet demand, much like the lifeguards dealing with staff shortages in public pools.
- The potential adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) for water surveillance in public pools could revolutionize the industry, with AI-supported systems capable of detecting individuals in distress and alerting lifeguards before emergencies occur.
- The implementation of AI in lifeguarding tasks in Germany faces challenges, including concerns over data protection, public trust, and technical challenges for enhanced AI performance, as well as costly system purchases and acceptance concerns among bathers.
