This winter, Penn State will become the first university in the nation to benefit from the latest technology used for saving lives in its pool facilities.

A camera system being installed at McCoy Natatorium will constantly scan activity in the pool to see if a body is lifeless.

This is a major step in preventing accidents in the pool, said Tom Griffiths, aquatics facilities manager.

The system will be installed in the six-lane 25-yard competition pool, which is one of three indoor pools in the Natatorium.

"This system will make McCoy Natatorium one of the safest pools in the United States," said Josh Brener, vice president for North American aquatic safety for Poseidon Technologies, the company which created the system.

The system features 12 underwater cameras and computers that detect motion. The system uses computer vision technology to evaluate activity in the pool. A network of cameras mounted above water, as well as below the surface, captures movement.

If a body stops moving for 10 seconds, the system pages a lifeguard to further investigate the situation.

Although there have not been drowning incidents in the past, Griffiths said, officials still think preventative measures are important.

Although the Poseidon System is often referred to as the lifeguard's third eye, Griffiths said the number of lifeguards on duty would not be cut.

"It does not reduce the number of lifeguards but provides a backup. It should make the lifeguards on duty more vigilant, " Griffiths said.

The system should have other benefits.

"We also hope to conduct research with the new technology as well as better train our guards with it," Griffiths said.

The new system may help the swim team's performance, and Brener said he is willing to work with coaches to help the system work in the team's favor.

"This is an experimental idea to help with technique and analysis of strokes," he said.

Jon Larson, the Natatorium's pool coordinator, said the camera could improve team members' skills.

"The cameras underwater could possibly provide video which could be used for stroke correction and technique work," Larson said.

Coaches and instructors will also be able to analyze strokes underwater.

Swim meets may also be filmed entirely underwater and televised, Griffiths said.

One potential problem with the system would be if a person was doing the "dead man's float" on the surface of the water, because the lifeguard would be buzzed once the technology sensed the still body.

A public demonstration of the system will take place at noon Dec. 17 at the McCoy Natatorium.