What is active supervision?
Active supervision is the key to preventing drowning. Children under five must be actively supervised at all times when around water. This means the child is in the direct line of sight of an appropriate adult at all times.
When in the water, kids under five must be within arm’s reach of the designated supervisor at all times, regardless of their swimming ability. Young children easily forget what they have learnt in swimming lessons.
If you leave the pool area, always take the child with you. Children under five can’t reliably follow an instruction to stay out of the water when not supervised.
Supervision at public pools is your responsibility - lifeguards cannot provide the close and constant supervision young children need.
Also remember, flotation devices are no substitute for active supervision.
Who should be a supervisor?
A child under five requires active supervision from a capable adult. Other children are not appropriate supervisors for young children.
Make sure the designated supervisor is aware of their responsibilities. Young children have drowned when adults aren’t clear who is responsible for watching them.
You can't provide active supervision if you are:
- swimming elsewhere in the pool
- chatting with others
- looking at your mobile phone
- affected by alcohol.
What if my child isn't around water?
Kids who aren't around water can get access to a pool and drown before you realise they’re missing. Check on your child regularly even if they are not around water.
