Watch Relay

Connecting…

Watch Relay

Open this app from a web address

This page was opened as a file on your computer, so the browser won’t run it. Upload the whole watch-relay folder to Netlify Drop (docs/SETUP.md, step 3) and open the https address it gives you.

Watch Relay

Finish setup first

The app isn't connected to a database yet. Paste your Firebase settings into js/config.js, then deploy again.

Step-by-step instructions are in docs/SETUP.md.

Watch Relay

Take turns watching kids in the water. If the watcher steps away, everyone’s phone knows.

1One adult is the watcher. Their phone stays on the watch screen.
2When the shift ends, the next adult taps to take over.
3If the watcher leaves the screen, walks away, or sets the phone down too long, everyone gets an alert.

Start a group

Your first name

Others see this when they join, so they know it’s your group.

Shift length

Safety groups suggest switching about every 15 minutes.

Alert if the watcher walks farther than

Use a bigger distance for large public pools or beaches.

Where is everyone swimming?

Open water adds tide times, rip current alerts, and buttons to report rough or rising water.

Join a group

Group code

Your first name

This group belongs to .

Only join if you know the host and you’re at the same pool.

Waiting for to let you in

The host sees your name and taps “Let in.” This page updates by itself.

Water watcher

Weather

Storms

Tides and water

Asking to join

People in this group

What happened

Shift changes and alerts show up here.

, you’re the watcher

Eyes on the water

--:--

Keeping the screen on…
Finding the pool spot…
Checking motion…
Checking the weather…

Keep this screen open and the phone with you. Leaving it for a few seconds alerts your group.

Check-in

Still watching?

Your phone hasn’t moved in a while. Tap anywhere, or your group is alerted in

Warning

Your group has been alerted. If you’re back, tell them.

Lightning danger

Everyone out of the water

Go indoors or into a hard-top car.

Invite people

Have them scan this with their phone camera, or type the code.

When they join, they’ll see that this is ’s group, and you approve each person before they’re in.

How it works

One adult is the watcher at a time. Their phone watches for three signs that they stopped watching: leaving the watch screen, walking away from the pool, or setting the phone down for too long. If any of these happens, everyone in the group gets an alert.

What we store

First names and whose turn it is. Nothing about the kids. No accounts, emails, or phone numbers.

What stays on your phone

Your location and motion are checked on your phone only and never uploaded. The group only learns “walked away,” never where you are.

Storms and tides

During a watch, the watcher’s phone checks the free National Weather Service every 5 minutes for thunderstorm and tornado warnings and for thunder in the forecast. At the beach it also gets rip current and coastal flood alerts, and tide times from NOAA’s nearest tide station. Any adult can report thunder, which sounds a storm alarm on every phone.

The phone sends only a rough location (about 1 km) to check the weather. It isn’t stored. Warnings don’t catch every storm: lightning can strike before any warning, so if you hear thunder, get out.

Deleting

The host can end the group at any time, which deletes it. Groups also lock themselves after 8 hours.

Scanning codes safely

Only scan a group code from a host you know. Before joining, check the web address and the host’s name shown on screen. This follows Take9’s advice: pause before you scan or click.

Limits

This app helps adults supervise. It does not replace watching the water, and it can’t detect drowning. Phones on silent or Do Not Disturb may not sound alerts.