Lifeguards at Sydney’s Whitlam Leisure Centre rescue two-year-old boy

Liverpool City Council has advised that its pool lifeguards helped to avert a family tragedy at its Whitlam Leisure Centre on Sunday, after a two-year-old boy passed out in the facility’s 50 metre swimming pool.

Commenting on the incident at the Belgravia Leisure-managed facility, Liverpool City Council Manager Community Recreation, Craig Lambeth stated “those who leapt into action and revived the child deserve the community’s thanks and praise for their rapid and appropriate reaction.

“A life was saved on Sunday, and a family tragedy was averted. It clearly demonstrates the benefits of good training and proper procedures.

“Fortunately, the child is now in a stable condition and is recovering well.”

After the incident, the Western Sydney facility was evacuated and later advised on social media that it was closed for the remainder of Sunday afternoon.

The Council said it was also a timely reminder to all families of the need to be extra vigilant when young children are in the water, and the value of learning basic CPR techniques.

Lambeth added “children should never be left unsupervised while playing in and around water, even if they know how to swim.

“This is especially true for children under the age of five. It is important to always maintain constant and direct supervision of children whenever they are near water. All children should also learn swimming and survival skills.”

Last week, Liverpool City Council launched its Float to Survive initiative offering four-weeks of free swimming lessons for residents who are first-time swimmers, either at Whitlam Leisure Centre or at the Michael Wenden Aquatic Centre.

Lambeth went to say “it’s a vital skill in Australia where there are so many places to swim. Liverpool Council recognises this, and that’s why we want to do all we can to ensure families have a safe summer swimming season.”

Last month, the Centre posted a message on its website urging parents of young children to maintain constant adult supervision.

It advised “most fatal drownings in young children aged 0-4 years occurred in swimming pools and bathtubs.

“All children and weak or non-swimmers should have constant adult supervision from parents or carers when in and around water.

“While we do have lifeguards prepared for extreme circumstances, it is important that parents and guardians are fully aware of what their children are doing at all times.”

Images: The indoor pool at the Whitlam Leisure Centre in the Western Sydney suburb of Liverpool. Credit: Whitlam Leisure Centre.