{"id":7242,"date":"2026-06-29T14:27:53","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T04:27:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onedarebindev.wpenginepowered.com\/narc\/?page_id=7242"},"modified":"2026-09-24T11:51:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T01:51:27","slug":"watch-around-water","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/darebinleisurevenues.com.au\/narc\/swim\/watch-around-water\/","title":{"rendered":"Watch Around Water"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Watch Around Water (WAW)<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n
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Home<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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Active supervision around water saves lives<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Watch Around Water (WAW) is a campaign educating the public about active supervision, and encouraging parents and guardians to take on the responsibility of this role while visiting aquatic facilities.

Implemented in over 160 pools throughout Victoria. The campaign aims to reduce fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents in the 0\u201314 year age group.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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In partnership with<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\/\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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20 seconds is all it takes<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t

20 seconds is all it takes for a toddler to drown. Never take your eyes off children around water.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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NARC's supervision guidelines<\/h2>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n
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Under 5 years<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Pink Wristband<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Required for all children under 5.
<\/strong>Ratio: 1 parent\/guardian to 2 children.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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Accompanied at all times<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Must enter the centre and the water with a responsible parent or guardian<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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Within arm's reach<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Must remain within arm's reach of a parent or guardian during all recreational play<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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Active supervision<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Under 5s are at highest risk\u2014always keep eyes on them around water.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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Under 10 years<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yellow wristband<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Required for all children under 10.<\/strong>
Ratio: 1 parent\/guardian to 4 children.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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Accompanied at all times<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Must enter with a responsible parent or guardian<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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Constantly supervised<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Must be actively watched at all times while in the centre<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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Clear line of sight<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

No physical or structural barriers between the
guardian and child at any time<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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During swim lessons<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Swim lesson rules<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Watch Around Water applies to children in swim lessons too.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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Stay on pool deck and off your phone<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Parent or guardian of under 10s must remain attentive for the full lesson<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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Collection policy<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Under 10s will not be released without a parent or guardian present<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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Non-compliance policy<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Management reserves the right to suspend membership<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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LSV\u2019s online training for parents & guardians<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t

A short online learning module for parents and guardians \u2014 available anytime, anywhere, completely free.<\/p>\n\t\t

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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\t\t
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What is Watch around Water? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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I have not heard of it before? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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It is currently implemented in over 160 pools throughout Victoria, including a number of metropolitan, regional and seasonal facilities.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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What are the guidelines for Watch Around Water? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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There are two key supervision guidelines: one for children under 5 (0-4 years), and those under 10 (5-9 years).<\/p>

  • Under 5:<\/strong> Children must be constantly supervised and to remain within arm\u2019s reach of a parent or guardian. (If the child is in the water, the parent or guardian must be in the water too).

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  • Under 10:<\/strong> 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.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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    My child is a competent swimmer. Why do I need to be in the water with them? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    I will jump in if I need to, but I do not want to enter the water. <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    Can I read a book or use my phone while watching my child? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    I am only just ducking off to grab a coffee or go to the toilet. Why is that an issue? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    Is this legislation? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    No. It is a framework and set of guidelines as well as a condition of entry to the facility.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    My child has swimming lessons, do the guidelines apply? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Yes, the guidelines for Watch Around Water still apply at Northcote Aquatic & Recreation Centre even while your child is participating in a swimming lesson.<\/p>

    For children under the age of 10 years, a parent\/guardian is to remain within the pool hall and be available as required for the duration of the child\u2019s lesson. This will assist with the timely provision of any poolside assistance.<\/p>

    For the safety of your child, a hand over of students between Parent \/Guardian and Teacher occurs promptly at the start and end of each lesson. Students under the age of 10 will not be released from a class unless the parent\/guardian is present to take over direct supervision of the child.<\/p>

    Parent\/Guardians must actively supervise their children in the water in line with the Centre\u2019s \u201cWatch Around Water\u201d safety program.<\/p>

    Children under 5 \u2013<\/strong> must be fully supervised and remain within arm\u2019s reach of an adult\/guardian (16 years or older) and wear a yellow wristband provided by staff (excluding whilst in swimming lessons).<\/p>

    Children 5-9 \u2013<\/strong> must be accompanied into the facility and constantly supervised by a parent\/guardian (16 years or older) and wear a wristband provided by staff (including whilst in swimming lessons).<\/p>

    Children who are not supervised will be removed from the water.<\/strong><\/p>

    Management reserves the right to terminate or suspend your membership for not complying with any of the terms and conditions listed.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t

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