Lifeguard VR: Immersive Training for Saving Lives Earns Auggie Awards Finalist Recognition
Lifeguard VR, developed by Lucid Reality Labs in collaboration with the American Red Cross,, has been voted by the public as one of the top finalists in the ‘Best Societal Impact’ category at this year’s Auggie Awards — the world’s most prestigious AR & VR industry recognition.
This acknowledgment highlights Lifeguard VR’s mission to address the global challenge of drowning prevention by transforming how lifeguards train and respond to emergencies. The project leverages immersive simulation to improve surveillance, recognition, and decision-making skills, offering a more engaging, scalable, and effective learning experience. Though still in development, Lifeguard VR is already earning awards and international recognition for its innovation and societal value.
The Auggie Awards: Celebrating Global Impact through Immersive Innovation
The Auggie Awards, established in 2010, represent the highest honour in the AR, VR, and XR industries. Now in their 14th year, they continue to celebrate groundbreaking achievements that use immersive technology to drive progress across sectors such as healthcare, education, safety, and sustainability. The Auggie Awards category specifically recognises XR experiences that deliver measurable positive change for people and communities.
Finalists are currently under expert jury review, with winners to be announced at the Auggie Awards Ceremony on June 1st during AWE USA 2023 in Santa Clara, California.
Reimagining Lifeguard Training with Immersive Technology
In the United States, drowning remains a critical public health issue. For children ages 1–4, it is the leading cause of death; for ages 5–14, it ranks second only to motor vehicle crashes (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). To confront this challenge, the American Red Cross continues its century-long mission to save lives by innovating how lifeguards learn, practice, and prepare for real-world emergencies.
Lifeguard VR, created by Lucid Reality Labs, is one of the organisation’s most impactful training initiatives. The immersive program modernises lifeguard education by enabling trainees to experience realistic water environments, practice surveillance, and recognise drowning victims in dynamically simulated pool settings. Developed for Oculus Quest 2, it recreates diverse aquatic conditions with high-fidelity visuals, lighting, and motion physics that mirror the complexity of real-world lifeguard scenarios.
Data-Driven Insights for Training Excellence
Beyond simulation, Lifeguard VR incorporates a comprehensive analytics system that supports instructors and aquatic managers. The built-in admin dashboard collects and evaluates performance data, tracking individual progress, accuracy, and decision-making under pressure. This data-driven approach enables personalised feedback, fosters motivation and friendly competition, and helps aquatic training centres maintain consistent standards of excellence nationwide.
About Lucid Reality Labs
Lucid Reality Labs is a leading XR development company specialising in complex immersive solutions across Healthcare, Life Sciences, Aerospace, and Defence. From concept and design to full-scale development and deployment, the company’s mission is to harness responsible immersive technology to solve global challenges and improve quality of life.
With a growing portfolio of award-winning use cases, Lucid Reality Labs continues to demonstrate how Extended Reality (XR) can drive positive change, enhance education, and deliver measurable societal impact.