Watch Around Water

Watch Around Water is an education and awareness raising campaign run throughout public aquatic facilities in Western Australia. The campaign was developed to address growing industry concern regarding the supervision of children whilst visiting aquatic facilities. Watch around Water takes a comprehensive approach to promoting and encouraging adequate supervision of children by parents and appropriate centre policies and practices.

The aims of the Watch Around Water campaign are to:

  • Provide state-wide supervision standards and practices
  • Increase lifeguard skills
  • Raise awareness of and provide knowledge to parents of what constitutes appropriate levels of supervision of children
  • Increase the proportion of parents who effectively supervise their children while in the water
  • Reduce incidents of drowning, near drowning and associated injury

Watch Around Water is a joint initiative between Royal Life Saving Australia’s Western Australian branch (RLSSWA) and the Leisure Institute of Western Australia Aquatics (LIWA).

  • Children under 5 years must be accompanied by a responsible adult over 16 years of age and supervised at arm’s reach at all times.
  • Children under 12 years must be accompanied by a responsible adult over 16 years and supervised at all time

Swimming instructors and Coach's do not count as a responsible adult, Parents or Guardians must remain within the centre for the duration of the under 12's Visit

Frequently asked Questions - For Parents

What is Watch around Water?
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.

I have not heard of it before?
Watch Around Water started in 2004 in WA and is currently implemented in 131 pools throughout the state, including a number of metropolitan, regional and seasonal facilities.

What are the guidelines for Watch Around Water?
There are two key supervision guidelines: one for children under 5 (0-4 years), and those under 10 (5-9 years).
• Under 5: Children must be constantly supervised and to remain within arm’s reach of a parent or guardian. (If the child is in the water, the parent or guardian must be in the water too).
• Under 12: Children must be accompanied into the facility and constantly supervised by a parent / guardian. The parent / guardian must have clear, constant and direct access to the child at all times.

My child is a competent swimmer. Why do I need to be in the water with them?
It is not only about swimming ability, it is also a safety issue. If a child gets hurt, a parent or guardian within close vicinity can act on the incident immediately, thereby preventing any further complications. It is very easy for young children who are good swimmers to get out of their depth or become tired, making it difficult for them to get back to the edge and often causing children to panic. I will jump in if I need to, but I do not want to enter the water. See above. This has become a condition of entry. If you do not comply with the conditions of entry you are welcome to go to reception for a refund on your entry fee.

My toddler is in the toddler pool. Do I need to wear bathers?
No. If you to have your shoes off, pants rolled up and are prepared to get wet, this is ok. You must be ready to respond if something happens to your child in the water. As deep as the child is in the water, you must also be. Can I read a book or use my phone while watching my child? No. It is important to remember that active supervision is about constantly watching and always having a clear view of your child. Remember, it only takes 20 seconds for a child to drown, so an incident may easily occur during a short lapse in supervision.

I am only just ducking off to grab a coffee or go to the toilet. Why is that an issue?
As stated previously, it is important to remember that active supervision is about constantly watching and always having a clear view of your child. Remember, it only takes 20 seconds for a child to drown, so an incident may easily occur during a short lapse in supervision.

Is this legislation?
Yes. Supervision policies for children under 5 years are included within the Code of Practice for the Design, Construction, Operation, Management and Maintenance of Aquatic Facilities developed by the Department of Health WA. Some local councils have also included the policies as part of their by-laws and conditions of entry to the facility.