Pool Super Vision completes training of 600 lifeguards: looks to future

The close of 2016 saw Pool Super Vision™ quietly mark two years of aquatic industry operations, and pass the milestone of having trained over 600 Australian and New Zealand lifeguards in the technique.

Originally designed to improve a lifeguard’s ability to pre-empt and then detect a drowning event, the program has now been expanded to include a due diligence model.

This allows organisations to determine what is reasonably practicable for their operation and this goes to the heart of exercising due diligence. Some organisations have used the model to determine where they are already strong and where further work is required.

Director Gary Johnson explains “it’s been an incredible two years.

“I’ve worked with over 65 organisations across a scope that includes new centre audits, signage audits, supervision strategies, lifeguard training and scenario training. You learn so much being involved with so many centres.”

After presenting at the Just Add Water Seminar (JAWS) in Wellington last year, the New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) sponsored a two week tour of both the North and South Island so that interested centres could experience the changes that Pool Super Vision™ fosters.

Johnson adds “New Zealand leads the world on many issues, so I’m not surprised by the level of interest in Pool Super Vision™.

“NZRA, Skills Active, centre managers and lifeguards have been incredibly easy to work with.

“Creating these silos of research is important. This is how Pool Super Vision™ began in the first place; amongst one group of lifeguards.

“The Moana Pool in Dunedin is a particularly complex centre with an enthusiastic team and it’ll be interesting to see what they do with the new knowledge. This is how further improvements will be made.”

This week, Johnson is in the USA presenting at the Association of Aquatic Professionals (AOAP) conference.

Speaking before his departure he recalls “I went to the AOAP conference two years ago and it was a huge leap in my knowledge and understanding.

“To hear how others are tackling the same issues from different angles has been refreshing. There are a lot of free thinkers in the US and Canadian industries and their enthusiasm for sharing is a credit to their passion for the role.”

Johnson’s attendance at the AOAP conference has been made possible by the generous support of the Leisure Institute of Western Australia Aquatics (LIWA Aquatics).

Johnson sees that LIWA has worked hard over the years to be in the enviable position of being able to support the aquatic industry in many ways, one of those being the seeking out of new information and ideas.

He comments “I’d like to think I bring a value to what they do in return, and am extremely thankful for their support.”

As for the key to preventing drowning, Johnson says that, as bland as it sounds, it’s risk management and layers of protection.

He concludes “I’d love to say it’s about lifeguards heroically diving in but that’s only part of it.

“In fact prevention is more effective, and easier, than the things we do after someone starts to drown. Once the event starts it can be a bit of a lottery.

“Preventing drowning is the Holy Grail but what’s probably more important is that we prevent injury or death as a result of drowning.”

“Australia and New Zealand have good track records in this area. Currently you’re more than twice as likely to be struck by lightning than to fatally drown in a public swimming pool!

“(But) fatal or otherwise, whenever people drown in our pools there are things to learn.”

Click here to contact Pool Super Vision via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

Image: Pool Super Vision training (top) and Gary Johnson (below). 

18th January 2017 - LIWA AQUATICS TO BENEFIT FROM EXTRA FUNDING FOR POOL SAFETY AND TRAINING

27th December 2016 - WARNINGS FOLLOW SEVEN CHRISTMAS PERIOD DROWNING DEATHS IN NSW

20th July 2016 - NEW ZEALAND AQUATIC SECTOR PREPARES FOR JAWS

24th February 2016 - POOL SUPER VISION TECHNIQUE ADOPTED AT FIRST NEW ZEALAND FACILITY 

3rd February 2015 - AUSTRALIAN POOL SUPER VISION TO BE SHOWCASED TO US AQUATIC PROFESSIONALS 

25th September 2013 - POOL SAFETY PROGRAM WINS STATE AWARD 

20th May 2011 - MANUKAU SWIM PROGRAM DELIVERS 200,000 FREE LESSONS 

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