Watch Around Water

Water safety

Monash Sport is a Watch Around Water facility. Watch Around Water is a joint initiative program between Aquatics and Recreation Victoria (ARV) and Life Saving Victoria (LSV) to assist in the education of parents/guardians about the appropriate supervision of children around aquatic environments.

The prevention of children drowning is a key focus of Watch Around Water, and child supervision is the key. Unfortunately, drowning can occur in any depth of water, can take only moments, and is usually silent. It is also the leading cause of unintentional death in children under 5 years. The role of the pool lifeguard is to supervise the entire aquatic facility and therefore it is important that parents/guardians are supporting the lifeguard to provide direct and constant supervision to the children in their care.

Whilst the following Watch Around Water policies are practiced at the Doug Ellis Swimming Pool, Monash Sport strongly advises that these practices should be implemented by parents/guardians whenever children are around any body of water, i.e. bath, pond, swimming pool, beach, river, lake or dam.

Please observe and follow the Watch Around Water policies below:

Children under 5 years

The parent/guardian must at all times within the facility, including change rooms:

  • Wear wristbands & ensure the child also wears a wristband.
  • Ensure the child remains within arms reach.
  • Enter the water with the child and remain within arms reach.
  • The parent/guardian must not be responsible for supervising more than 2 children under the age of 5 years at any one time.

Children under 10 years

The parent/guardian must at all times within the facility, including change rooms:

  • Wear wristbands & ensure the child also wears a wristband
  • Maintain constant visual contact with the child
  • Ensure no distractions, including physical barriers, use of mobile devices or reading materials.
  • Be prepared to enter the water if the child requires immediate assistance.
  • The parent/guardian must not be responsible for supervising more than 4 children under the age of 10 years at any one time.

Children over 10 years

  • Parents/guardians must use their knowledge of an individual child’s swimming ability and general development to determine the level of accompaniment required.
  • It is recommended that children 10 and over not be left at the pool unsupervised.

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