Anti-drowning technology recommended by a Queensland Coroner no longer has an Australian distributor

The extensive recommendations by the Queensland Coroner at the recent Rockhampton Rock Pool Water Park Drowning Inquest included a recommendation that the Workplace Health and Safety authorities should implement an anti-drowning safety alert system at public pools.

Yet Australasian Leisure Management has discovered that the Poseidon anti-drowning technology, as installed in more than 180 public pools around the world, no longer has an Australian distributor.

Queensland Coroner Annette Hennessy made the recommendation at the coronial inquest into the drowning of a nine-year-old boy at Rockhampton's The Rock Pool Water Park in January 2007.

The Coroner made 16 recommendations designed to help prevent further tragedies at The Rock Pool and in swimming pools around Australia.

Poseidon, the world's leading anti-drowning system, was installed at Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope (BLCS) in 2007 by local distributor Third Watch. The system was retrofitted to BLCS' existing 25 metre pool and at the time was seen by many as important pool safety innovation.

At the time, Rob Bradley, Chief Executive of the Royal Life Saving Society Australia stated that "the Poseidon system is an excellent example of how advances in technology can support the work of our pool lifeguards.

"I believe that this technology will play an important part in aquatic life saving in the future."

In addition, Australasian Leisure Management Publisher Nigel Benton wrote, "the Poseidon system as a component in risk management will become vital in facilities' 'duty of care' to their pool users.

"There exists a potential scenario of a post drowning coronial inquest asking those responsible for a facility questions such as 'would an anti drowning detection system have prevented this fatality?' and then 'why did your facility not have an anti drowning detection system installed?'"

Yet beyond the BLCS installation, Third Watch received no further orders for the system and their distributorship for Australia and New Zealand ceased at the end of last year.

Explaining Third Watch's lack of orders, an aquatics industry expert, who asked not to be named, told Australasian Leisure Management "while drownings are tragic, and deeply affect aquatic facility staff, when those who plan and pay for new and upgraded facilities look at features they would rather install a couple of waterslides than an anti-drowning system."

"Waterslides and other features are reckoned to attract visitors and many people feel 'why do we need an anti-drowning system when we have lifeguards?'.

"It's a bit like saying why should I wear a seatbelt - my car has brakes!"

The source suggested that recent aquatic facility developments and redevelopments funded by Federal Government's Regional and Local Community infrastructure program to have not included anti-drowning systems was a "missed opportunity."

The source also suggested that Third Watch could have been more active in developing partnerships with water safety and life saving organisations and could have developed more client-friendly payment options.

At the present time, France-based Poseidon can deal with inquiries, quotes and provide information on the system.

As Poseidon Director Thierry Boeglin explains "the Australian market is definitely part of our business development strategy (and) we are presently considering either a direct sales approach or a partnership with an Australian distributor well-positioned in the public pool business."

The Poseidon system at Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope was featured in the November/December 2007 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

Boeglin and Poseidon can be contacted on +33 683 877 314, Skype: tboeglin-poseidon, E: tboeglin@poseidon-tech.com, www.poseidon-tech.com

30th June 2010 - EXTENSIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ROCK POOL WATER PARK DROWNING INQUEST

Update, 18th January 2012: as of January 2012 Maytronics Australia is distributing the Poseidon system - see 18th January 2012 - MAYTRONICS AUSTRALIA TO DEVELOP POSEIDON COMPUTER-AIDED DROWNING DETECTION SYSTEMS