KEEP WATCH @ PUBLIC POOLS PROGRAM
The Royal life saving society Australia has developed a program called KEEP WATCH.
The program is aimed at preventing children under 5 years of age from drowning by getting parents and carers to undertake four simple steps:
1. Active Supervision
Ensuring that even when your child is near or in water they are within arms reach at all times.
2. Restricting Access
Ensuring that where possible there is a barrier between the child and water such as a pool fence.
3. Water Familiarisation
Enrolling your child in an infant's aquatic class. When arriving at an aquatic location, familiarising yourself with the location and set rules for your children such as no swimming unless an adult is present.
4. Learning Resuscitation
Enrol in a resuscitation course, update annually – it is a skill of life.
Keep Watch @ Public Pools Program
Royal Life saving is targeting risk areas for toddler drowning deaths such as public pools. Lack of direct supervision of the parent or carer while the child was in the water has been the main factor in 70% of the drowning deaths at public pools. As a parent you have the responsibility to look after your own children – lifeguards do a great job of keeping our pools safe but they are not babysitters.
WHAT IS GOOD SUPERVISION
There are three key elements of active supervision:
1. PROXIMITY
Always be within arms reach of your child particularly when they are 0-5 years of age and non swimmers.
2. ATTENTION
Always keep your attention on your child particularly if they are under 10 years of age – this in not an occasional glance while reading the newspaper.
3. CONTINUITY
No matter how old your child is you should check on them on a regular basis. The younger the child the more often you should check and if they are under 5 years of age you should never leave their presence.
KEEP WATCH @ PUBLIC POOLS POLICY
- Children under 10 years are not allowed entry unless under active supervision of a person 16 years or older.
- Parents or guardians should actively supervise their children at all times. As such, they should be dressed ready for action, including unexpected entry to a pool.
- For 0-5 year olds a parent or guardian is in the water at all times (within arms reach) of the child. It is best if you are engaging with your child i.e. playing with them, talking to them, touching them.
- For 6-10 year olds a parent should be close enough to make eye contact with the child and be constantly watching them.
- For 11-14 year olds a parent must regularly check on their child by physically going to the point where they are in or around the water.
Information provided by Royal life Saving Australia, for more information visit www.royallifesaving.com.au