WynActive lifeguards have rescued more than 150 children who have experienced difficulty in and around public pools during the past six weeks.
WynActive – which manages AquaPulse in Hoppers Crossing, Werribee Outdoor Pool and Eagle Stadium on behalf of Wyndham council – is warning parents and carers that the safety of children in and around water has been significantly impacted by the shutdown of swimming lessons and school carnivals, due to COVID restrictions last year.
A statement issued by WynActive last week said that the organisation has experienced a “significant rise in rescues and near misses” involving youngsters at AquaPulse and Werribee Outdoor Pool, since the facilities reopened to the public late last year.
WynActive aquatic facilities general manager, Barry Harrison, said it was vital that families ensured children continue to learn swimming and water safety skills, now that pools are operating close to normal again.
“We’re making this call out to all Wyndham City parents and guardians – make kids’ safety around water your top priority,” he said.
“Over the last six weeks we have actioned over 150 rescues, which is a huge rise on previous numbers.
“Lifeguards have noted that many of the children involved have said that they had forgotten what to do or overestimated their abilities or fitness due to not having been in the water for up to 12 months.
“We have a highly trained and vigilant group of lifeguards, who quickly realised that there was an extra threat post COVID and reacted accordingly.
“Their vigilance and skill have ensured that every incident has been resolved without escalation or injury, however we believe most could have been avoided entirely.”
Around 35 rescues carried out by the WynActive lifeguards occurred during school carnivals held last month.
Since then, WynActive has drafted a message for local schools, warning that pupils may lack the level of fitness, confidence or swimming ability they previously held.
Mr Harrison said the message would be sent to local schools.
“WynActive is asking that students strongly consider their abilities before entering a school swimming event,” he said.
“In the case of uncertainty, students simply should not enter events and should work to build up their water confidence and fitness levels in a secure environment.
“Staying safe around water is always the priority.”
