Northern Territory Drowning highlights need for Watch Around Water

The recent drowning of a four-year-old boy at a Northern Territory waterpark has led Western Australia's LIWA Aquatics to highlight the importance of its 'Watch around Water' campaign.

In a statement on its website LIWA (the Leisure Institute of Western Australia) Aquatics says that the drowning "once again raises questions as to why there was not a discrete parental supervision program in place at the facility."

The LIWA Aquatics statement adds "the facility has following guidelines in place on their fact sheet: Lifeguards are on duty when Water Park is open. However, children under 10 must be actively supervised by an adult over 16 years. If you are an adult with children under your care, please make sure your kids are safe. Keep a careful watch on them as they play. Be there when they need you.

"Unfortunately without the promotion of and the enforcement by Lifeguards there is no requirement for parents to be in the water with children under the age of five.

"In this case the Watch Around Water requirement of 'hands on' supervision in the water could have saved the young boy's life. It may have averted a tragedy for the family and for all the staff at the Water Playground who were involved in trying to resuscitate the child. They will now live with the images of the young boy for the rest of their lives. Our hearts go out to all those involved.

"As we move into winter there is still the need to be just as vigilant on the pool deck and ensure lifeguards, parents and guardians are discharging their responsibilities and Watching Around Water."

Watch Around Water is a program owned by LIWA Aquatics, backed by Royal Life Saving Society Australia (WA), and coordinated in South Australia by Aquatic Recreation SA and in Victoria by Aquatics and Recreation Victoria.

In recent years, with Watch Around Water competing the Royal Life Saving Society Australia national office's 'Keep Watch at Public Pools' program, LIWA Aquatics has followed drownings in public aquatic facilities outside of Western Australia by highlighting the value of its Watch Around Water program.

For more information go to www.watcharoundwater.com.au

11th January 2011 - FEDERAL FUNDS TO IMPROVE REMOTE NT SWIMMING POOLS 

11th November 2009 - DROWNING SPARKS CALL FOR NATIONAL WATER SAFETY PROGRAM