Pocket Patrol is the latest innovation in beach safety designed to help beachgoers see the hidden dangers that lifesavers see. It utilises mobile technology that everybody already takes to the beach, and turns it into a life saving tool. With Pocket Patrol, beach goers are now able to identify dangers for themselves and learn more about how to avoid them.

Accuracy was critical, so we developed the most advanced AR experience possible,

capable of displaying exact positions of live dangers.

But standard AR techniques aren't reliable enough to show a specific position anywhere on a broad open area like a beach.

So we developed a far more accurate means of marking exact locations in open areas, using a bespoke algorithm that combines GPS, compass and gyroscope data.

Allowing the app to place and view virtual markers in true 3D space with pinpoint accuracy, while being incredibly simple to use.

The smartphone app was launched on October 22nd on a stretch of coastline marked as one of Australia’s deadliest – The Sunshine Coast.

Fulltime lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers were trained on integrating Pocket Patrol as part of their daily routine while walking up and down patrolling the beaches, creating a direct educational contact with the beachgoer public to learn about the app and how to download it.

Live event activations also promoted the app to beachgoers as well as a 360 VR experience to feel what it’s like to drown in a rip and learn how to swim out of one.

Our social media educational posts challenged viewers to try and spot the rips.

An online content film demonstrated just how quickly anyone can get dragged out to sea in a rip, by running for the same length of time it could take you to be pulled into deep water.

The real impact of Pocket Patrol has been in changing beach behaviour for all Australians. It’s a completely new way to teach beach safety – training people to recognise the dangers and empowers them to make safer swimming decisions.

It’s been so well received by lifesavers that it’s now part of the official kit for the SLSA national education program.

3600 people downloaded Pocket Patrol and identified beach dangers during the launch month.

A further 13.2 million beachgoers learned about beach safety though live events, social media, a VR 360 film and online film.

From a PR perspective, the story was covered by 144 tech websites, family blogs, as well as local and international news helping reach a total audience of 20 million.

Data and metrics in the post campaign analysis returned an 81.5% increase in positive sentiment for Samsung and brand engagement results are 15% above the norm.