Watch Around Water was started in 2004 in WA following a number of drowning deaths involving young children at public swimming pools. The incidents prompted the WA Coroner to state that:
‘Competent lifeguards acting responsibly should provide an important safety feature, but they are not intended to, and cannot be expected to replace the close supervision of parents which is required for many children. Public awareness needs to ensure that adults in the community understand that supervision of children in the water must be direct, competent and alert.’
There was also a growing concern amongst the Western Australian aquatics industry regarding the levels of parental supervision of young children at public swimming pools. At the time many centres were promoting safe supervision policies and messages, however it was acknowledged that an industry wide program was needed to promote a consistent message regarding supervision and make venues safer.
Lifeguards Are Not Babysitters!
Watch Around Water was developed by the aquatics industry for the aquatics industry and is based on the premise that it is unrealistic to expect lifeguards to provide the constant and close supervision required for each young child at the pool at all times. Although lifeguards are present, the responsibility of supervision of children is shared between lifeguards and parents — Lifeguards are not babysitters!
The success of the program in Western Australia has seen it expand to New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Contact your local Watch Around Water coordinator today for more information →
Registration
It’s never too late to get involved with the Watch Around Water program. If you are interested in registering to be part of the of the Watch Around Water program please click the link below:
