Public Pool Safety
Public pools are generally safe places to swim and recreate, with trained pool lifeguards on hand to help in the unlikely event of an emergency. However, it is important to note that lifeguards cannot watch your children for you. Parents and Guardians still need to supervise children at all times while at the pool.
This means focusing your attention on your children all of the time, when they are in, on, or around the water.
Parents and Guardians should always
Aquatic Supervision
Our aquatic safety and supervision policies are based on the Guidelines for Safe Pool operations and industry best practice. Our aquatic safety program is an education and awareness program that addresses the levels of parental supervision of children required while visiting aquatic facilities.
Even though lifeguards are on duty, you are responsible for your children at all times. Our lifeguards are not babysitters and parents and guardians have a crucial role in the supervision of children while visiting our pools.
It’s not about shifting responsibility; it’s about having both parents and lifeguards working together to keep children safe in our aquatic facilities.
Children can drown in less than 20 seconds – it happens quickly and silently. It often occurs as a result of parents and guardians being momentarily distracted or not maintaining visual contact.
Key Messages for Parents and Guardians
Be aware of distractions: Take steps to minimise distractions – such as mobile phones or chatting to other parents – to avoid lapses in supervision.
Be responsible: All guardians must be 16 years and above.
Be prepared: Ensure you have everything you need before getting into the water, such as towels and dry clothes.
Frequently Asked Questions – For Parents
It is not only about swimming ability, it is also a safety issue. If a child gets hurt, a parent or guardian within close vicinity can act on the incident immediately, thereby preventing any further complications. It is very easy for young children who are good swimmers to get out of their depth or become tired, making it difficult for them to get back to the edge and often causing children to panic.
See above. This has become a condition of entry. If you do not comply with the conditions of entry, you will not be permitted to visit the aquatic centre.
No. If you have your shoes off, pants rolled up and are prepared to get wet, this is ok. You must be ready to respond if something happens to your child in the water. You must be prepared and willing to enter water up to the depth of water your child is in.
No. It is important to remember that active supervision is about constantly watching and always having a clear view of your child. Remember, it only takes 20 seconds for a child to drown, so an incident may easily occur during a short lapse in supervision.
It is important to remember that active supervision is about constantly watching and always having a clear view of your child. Remember, it only takes 20 seconds for a child to drown, so an incident may easily occur during a short lapse in supervision.
The Centres conditions of entry are based on the Guidelines for Safe Pool operations, which governs supervision policies for children 5 years and under. As part of the Centres commitment to providing a safe environment for children, parents and guardians can be reported for negligence to the relevant state government agency.
Yes. Your child will only be allowed to swim outside of swimming lessons in line with the Centres supervision policies.
All children 5 years and under must have a parent or guardian within arm’s reach at all times. Your child will only be allowed to swim in the toddler pool, and you must have your shoes off and be prepared to get wet if anything happens to your child in that pool. As deep as the child is in the water, you must also be. If your child would like to swim in a deeper pool, you will need to bring another guardian that is able to swim.
September 7.00am- 5.00pm
October 7.00am- 6.00pm
November 7.00am- 7.00pm
December 7.00am- 8.00pm
January 7.00am- 8.00pm
February 7.00am- 7.00pm
March 7.00am- 6.00pm
April 7.00am- 5.00pm