Watch Around Water (WAW) is a campaign educating the public about active supervision, and encouraging parents / guardians to take on the responsibility of this role while visiting aquatic facilities.
The campaign aim is to reduce the number of fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents and associated injuries in public aquatic facilities in Victoria within the 0-14 year age group.
Campaign Components
Structured policies
Water safety principles
Increased communication
Multicultural awareness
Staff up-skilling
Active application
Facility specific
Evaluated formally
Mandatory Policies
1. Children under 10 years:
must be accompanied into the centre by a responsible parent / guardian
must be constantly and actively supervised
parents / guardians must position themselves to have a clear view of the child with no physical
or structural barriers between them and the child / children
2. Children under 5 years:
must be accompanied into the centre and the water by a responsible parent / guardian
must stay within arm’s reach during recreational play activities
3. Children 10 years old and over:
parents must use their knowledge of an individual child’s swimming ability and general development to determine the level of accompaniment required
Recommended Policies
Children under 10 years:
maximum 1 Parent / Guardian to 4 Children
Children under 5 years:
maximum 1 Parent / Guardian to 2 Children
20 Seconds is all it takes to drown – Play It Safe By The Water
Injuries in public aquatic facilities is a major issue faced by the Victorian Industry. Inadequate levels of personal supervision have been identified as a major area of concern when relating to the number of fatal and non-fatal drowning incidences involving young children.
Watch Around Water intends to raise the profile of the need for active parental supervision in public aquatic facilities, change management practices and increased staff knowledge / skills. As a result Watch Around Water is a must for public pools in Victoria. The program is supported and endorsed by LSV and ARV and links into the Play It Safe By The Water campaign.
For more information or to register your interest on joining the program please complete the form below and email to waw@lsv.com.au
Being an accredited facility means that you are part of a State-wide initiative. The program and industry has the peak body support of both LSV and ARV, including the link to the highly recognisable Play It Safe by the Water campaign (PISBTW).
Evaluation 2013/15:
The 2013/15 (two yearly) evaluation saw LSV trainers and assessors visit over 90% of accredited WAW facilities The objectives of the visits was to review the systems and processes being implemented at a facility level to support the program as well as a review of the communication / marketing materials being used. WAW Evaluation 2013-14.pdf
Evaluation 2012/13:
The 2012/13 evaluation project was aimed at establishing whether or not there had been any change in the awareness / perception of what constitutes appropriate active parental supervision. It was based on surveys and communications with facility staff and management regarding the program implementation. WAW_evaluation_2012-132.pdf
Evaluation 2009/10:
The 2009/10 evaluation project was aimed at establishing the perspectives of parents and facility staff regarding what constituted appropriate levels of supervision and how this could be improved through the program. It was intended to establish whether the proposed program content was appropriate. Watch_Around_Water_Awareness_Evaluation_Summary_2009-10.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Watch Around Water is a communications campaign. To support the program ‘FAQ’ documents have been developed and are continually updated to ensure a clear and consistent message is sent and that challenges associated with the program can be appropriately managed.
The Watch Around Water Advisory Committee (WAWAC) was established in 2015 and has the task of providing guidance and advise on the future and development of the Watch Around Water program in Victoria. The WAWAC represent accredited Watch Around Water facilities and meet twice yearly with program staff from Life Saving Victoria to achieve these goals and drive the direction of the program. The current members of the committee are:
– Krysti Mirabella (Austswim) – Ray Smith (Aquazone Warrnambool) – Mel Elkin (Active Monash) – Dylan Wyatt (Aligned Leisure) – Reyna Johanson (City of Stonnington)
– Janelle Falkingham (YMCA Victoria) – John Barton (Casey ARC)
– George Koumantatakis (Casey ARC) – Adrian Paino (Maroondah Leisure) – Trent O’Hara (Belgravia Leisure) – Marty Moran (City of Yarra) – Alek Olszewski (Western Leisure Services) – Corey Ramsay (Coburg Leisure Centre) – Lachie St Clair (Thomastown Recreation and Aquatic Centre) – Rose Horzitski (City of Greater Geelong) – Amy Cross (Life Saving Victoria) – Program Coordinator
– RJ Houston (Life Saving Victoria) – Manager Pool Safety – Andy Dennis (Life Saving Victoria) – Chair
There are currently no vacancies on the WAWAC. To express your interest in joining the committee please email waw@lsv.com.au
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