An eye on survival

Brianna and Stevie at Casey ARC as life guard Darral keeps a watchful eye on them. 41323 Picture: Stewart Chambers
THE YMCA is urging parents to actively supervise their children around water this summer as a safety program is piloted at Casey ARC and Casey RACE.
The Watch Around Water program is being piloted at the aquatic centres in Casey and aims impress upon parents and carers the importance of keeping a watchful eye on children.
Casey ARC manager Wes Hurrey said the important messages could save a life.
“Too many people think that once they enter a public pool the responsibility for their children falls to the lifeguards or other staff,” Mr Hurrey said.
As part of the program, parents are encouraged to actively supervise their children by ensuring a child under five years old has an adult swimming in the water within arm’s reach at all times.
Parents must ensure children under 10 years are accompanied into the centre by a person 16 years or older and supervised at all times, and to always watch what their children are doing.
“It is a tragedy that many incidents occur in the first few moments that parents are distracted.
“For each child that drowns, there are at least five other near drownings in pools in Australia.”
For more information visit www.caseyarc.ymca.org.au.