LIWA uses customised waterborne inflatable to promote Watch Around Water

Industry body LIWA Aquatics has been using a specially designed 'low profile' aquatic inflatable to assist in the promotion of its Watch Around Water (WAW) campaign across Western Australia.

The inflatable has travelled across Western Australia, from Kojonup to Moora, and other locations inbetween. After a further two weeks in South West the inflatable will head to the North West of the state to some of our more remote communities.

Able to be borrowed by WAW registered regional and metropolitan pools for special events, LIWA acquired the inflatable from New Zealand-based Aflex Technology in order to enhance the aquatic experience for the regional communities.

Having the inflatable available for special events was also a way LIWA Aquatics could give something tangible back to its members and local councils.

The 'low profile' aquatic inflatable has been specially designed with safety and supervision in mind and pools using it need to agree to ensure operational guidelines are followed at all times.

The inflatable takes account of the new interim Australian Standard for constant airflow aquatic/waterborne inflatables: Australian Standard AS 3533.4.5 (Int)-2012 Amusement rides and devices Specific requirements Waterborne inflatables.

Designed for use in shallow swimming pools, the new inflatable has a lower pad height, 400 mm; a lower slide height; steps to access the slide along with extended entry pad length, conforming to the interim Standard's 1.5 metre minimum requirement; and no webbing straps.

The initiative has been funded through contributions from LIWA members and once the program has been evaluated the Board will look at how it could service all of Western Australia with a number of devices.

Now in its ninth year, the 2012/13 season Watch Around Water aquatic facility safety program continues to raise awareness of the importance of parental supervision of young children while at public swimming pools.

Designed and delivered by the Royal Life Saving Society Australia in Western Australia (RLSSWA) and owned by industry association the Leisure Institute of Western Australia (LIWA) Aquatics, Watch Around Water addresses the "misconception by parents that the supervision of young children is the sole responsibility of lifeguards."

Confusion surrounding the adoption of the new interim Australian Standard for constant airflow aquatic/waterborne inflatables and the upcoming Safe Work Australia code of practice for managing risks associated with amusement devices is the subject of a feature in the November/December 2012 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

For more information on the LIWA Aquatics inflatable contact Lauren Nimmo, Senior Manager - Health Promotion and Research, RLSSWA on 08 9383 8200, E: lnimmo@rlsswa.com.au, www.lifesavingwa.com.au

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