Staying safe at the swimming pool

Wednesday, 14 January 2015

Lifeguards at Thorndon Pool explain water safety in 2015. Things have not improved since then, according to the New Zealand Recreation Association, which says caregivers are increasingly distracted by their handheld devices.

Swimming can be dangerous - oceans have unpredictable waves and rips, while rivers have hidden hazards lurking beneath their surface.

Pools may seem the safer option for kids, especially with trained lifeguards on duty, but parents and caregivers still need to be vigilant.

New Zealand has the third highest rate of drownings in the developed world, with young children making up an alarmingly high proportion of water deaths.

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While the local public pool is a great place for children to become more water-confident, experts urge parents to be careful.

Thorndon Pool lifeguard Sam Aitken said he and his colleagues were there to prevent accidents and react in emergencies, but children remained the responsibility of their caregivers.

Children under the age of eight must be 'actively supervised', which meant their caregiver was able to provide immediate assistance and be within arms reach at all times.

The message was echoed by Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Matt Claridge.

'You've got to be sure they're within arm's reach, and ideally be in the water with them,' Claridge said.

'Parents, supervise your children - get really close to them, be in the water with them and have fun.'

Preschool children in particular were 'fairly adventurous'.

'Kids will think they can go a little bit further than they may be capable of, and those who have had a bit of time in the water will push themselves a bit more.

'You've got to be onto it, you've got to be vigilant, and stay close, stay really close - within arm's reach is the rule.'

Adults were not immune from getting into trouble in the pool, he said.

Regardless of ability, no one should ever swim alone.

'Anything can happen, and it's unpredictable most of the time, even if you are in a swimming pool - so make sure someone's around.

'And it's important that you know your own ability and match it with the situation, don't go out of your depth if you can't look after yourself.'