Otago Daily Times

Neardrowni­ngs lead to changes in pool rules

- By MARGOT TAYLOR

CAREGIVERS will face tighter rules on the supervisio­n of children at Dunedin pools because of the number of near drownings of under 10s.

Moana Pool manager Nicola Smith said 18 of the 21 water rescues at the pool in the past year had been children aged 59.

In the past four years, 90% of rescues at the pool involved chil dren under 10, she said.

The new policy would require children under the age of 10 to be under ‘‘active’’ supervisio­n (care givers must watch their children at all times and be able to physically assist) and wear wristbands identifyin­g them as being part of the high risk group.

Parents of children under 5 will be required to be in the water with their child.

At present, children over 8 do not require supervisio­n and caregivers of under5s must be within arm’s reach of the child.

Children under 9 would need to be accompanie­d to and from swimming lessons and under5s accompanie­d for the whole lesson, Ms Smith said.

The changes were similar to those at pools in Invercargi­ll and Auckland.

The policy begins on July 24.

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