Device and method for monitoring a person in water

1. A means for monitoring waters comprising:

at least one control unit assigned to one person which comprises at least one sensor device, one analysis device and one transmitter,

at least one receiving device disposed within the waters at a designated location, wherein a carrier frequency of a signal emitted by the control unit is selected so as to substantially minimize its absorption by the media between the control unit and the receiving device at the designated location,

at least one transmission device which is signal connected to the receiving device, and

at least one display unit which is signal connected to the transmitter,

wherein the transmitter is designed such that it emits a signal of a predetermined pattern in the event of an alarm, and the receiving device is designed such that it recognizes the alarm based on said predetermined pattern of the signal and emits an alarm signal to said at least one display unit.

2. The means according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pattern of the signal is defined by a succession of signal pulses of a predetermined intensity and predetermined temporal sequence.

3. The means according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit comprises an identifier which is transmitted with the signal to at least one display unit.

4. The means according to claim 1 , wherein the transmitter of the control unit transmits signals by ultrasonic waves at a frequency range of from 20 to 600 kHz and particularly at a frequency range of from 20 to 100 kHz.

5. The means according to claim 1 , wherein the transmitter of the control unit transmits a signal when the analysis device ascertains an emergency situation from one and/or a combination of values detected by the sensor device.

6. The means according to claim 5 , wherein the values detected by the sensor device relate to the characteristics of the ambient pressure over time and/or motions of the control unit.

7. The means according to claim 1 , wherein said means comprises various control units which derive an emergency based upon individual characteristics or abilities of defined groups of bathers or individual wearers.

8. The means according to claim 7 , wherein the values of the parameters used to define an emergency can be modified.

9. The means according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is worn by bathers or vulnerable persons on their wrist.

10. The means according to claim 1 , wherein an emergency situation is identified when a predetermined value is exceeded or undercut at the control unit for a predetermined length of time.

11. The means according to claim 1 , wherein an emergency situation is identified when excess pressure on the control unit prevails beyond a predetermined length of time.

12. The means according to claim 1 , wherein movement of the control unit is included as a criterion for the analysis device to detect an emergency situation.

13. The means according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises a closure device requiring a tool or input of information for its actuation.

14. The means according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is first activated as soon as it enters into the water.

15. The means according to claim 1 , wherein the monitoring function of the control unit is switched to inactive and thereby emits a disconnect signal to the receiving device as soon as same becomes separated from the bather or not used in the intended way.

16. The means according to claim 1 , wherein an alarm signal is transmitted to a portable hand-held device.

17. The means according to claim 1 , wherein an alarm signal is directly or indirectly relayed to an emergency dispatch center.

18. The means according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit further comprises additional devices not predominantly serving safety purposes.

19. The means according to claim 1 , wherein said means is operated in a passive monitoring mode in which the receiving device detects signals indicating water motion and upon a fixed intensity threshold being exceeded, transmits a distress signal to the transmission device.

20. The means according to claim 19 , wherein the receiving device also detects signals from a control unit in the passive monitoring mode and relays a distress signal to the transmission device analogously as in the active monitoring mode.

21. A means for monitoring waters comprising:

at least one control unit assigned to one person which comprises at least one sensor device, one analysis device and one transmitter, said control unit including a closure device requiring a tool or input of information to unlock the closure device and release the at least one control unit,

at least one receiving device disposed within the waters, at a designated location, wherein a carrier frequency of a signal emitted by the control unit is selected so as to substantially minimize its absorption by the media between the control unit and the receiving device at the designated location,

at least one transmission device which is signal-connected to the receiving device, and

at least one display unit which is signal-connected to the transmitter,

wherein the transmitter is designed such that it emits signals of a predetermined pattern in the event of an alarm, and the receiving device is designed such that it recognizes a case of alarm based on said predetermined pattern of the signal and emits an alarm signal to said at least one display unit.