If you have ever been through a drowning or near drowning situation on the pool deck you will know the range of emotions that go through your mind after the event.  You continue to replay the event over and over again with images, smells and your actions whirring through your mind. 

 It is not something that you want to experience but in Western Australia we are better prepared to deal with these situations if they do occur.  Some people would say we are lucky, but luck has nothing to do with the way the industry prepares its staff to intervene before we have a situation could involve a rescue and possibly resuscitation.

The attached link to an article published in the Northern Territory News clearly demonstrates the need for LIWA Aquatics to continue to promote and support the Watch Around Water Program.  We can make no judgments on the circumstances that surround the two near drownings at the Leanyer Recreation Park as we are not across the facts.  But what we can say is that Western Australia has a Supervision Program in place at over 70 facilities across the state that promotes parental/guardian supervision of children under the age of 10 years at all times.

The goal of LIWA Aquatics is to have Watch Around Water in all Group One Aquatic Facilities in Western Australia and to assist the rest of Australia understand the importance of a consistent approach to constant supervision in the aquatic environment.  Lifeguards perform many functions on the pool deck and they need to be sure that parents and guardians accept their responsibilities and Watch Around Water. 

To read the report from the NT News [Click Here]

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