Aquatics & Recreation Victoria

The aim of the 'Watch Around Water' program is to encourage parents to actively supervise their children by:

Always being within arm's reach
Never turning their back
Always watching what their child is doing

There is often a misconception by parents that the supervision of young children is the sole responsibility of lifeguards. With the large numbers of families attending pools and aquatic facilities, it is unrealistic for parents to expect that lifeguards can keep an eye on everyone all the time.

Facilities that deliver the 'Watch Around Water' program will be displaying the 'Endorsed Centre' logo and will be adhering to the following guidelines as a minimum.

Safer Swimming Guidelines

Children under 10 years must be accompanied into the centre, and constantly supervised while in the centre at all times.
Children under 5 years must be constantly supervised within arms reach while in the centre at all times.
Unsupervised children will be removed from the water

"A swimming child should never leave your sight"