BE A WATER WATCHER

AUSTSWIM teachers are the backbone of swimming and water safety education. All teachers are urged to take the pledge to raise awareness regarding the importance of child supervision in, on and around water this summer. AUSTSWIM further encourages its teachers to engage communities in the Water Watchers programme this summer to further help reduce the incidence of fatal and non-fatal drowning.

The Water Watchers campaign encourages AUSTSWIM’s 30,000+ licensed teachers to:

• provide children with enquiry learning opportunities during lessons, and;
• include parents, grandparents, families and friends in learning and understanding the importance of constant and continual supervision of children when they are around water.

THE WATER WATCH PLEDGE

I am a water watcher
I will be there, be aware and avoid distractions
I will ensure constant supervision
I will appoint a replacement watcher

In their 2016/2017 national drowning report, the Australian Royal Life Saving Society notes that 45% of drowning deaths of children aged between 0-4 years were in backyard swimming pools.

Raising awareness of the importance of adult supervision around water is one of the key objectives of the Australian Water Safety strategy, to help reduce the incidence of drowning by 50% by 2020.

AUSTSWIM, the peak body for the training and education of swimming and water safety teachers, is a member of the Australian Water Safety Council that produced the strategy.

“The Water Watcher drowning prevention campaign encourages AUSTSWIM licensed teachers to pay it forward by highlighting the importance of constant and continual supervision of children in, on and around water. Taking the pledge raises everyone’s awareness for a reduction in child drowning this summer season,” says AUSTSWIM CEO Jennifer Schembri-Portelli.

“This is a simple initiative that teachers and parents can easily commit to when they are near water, and it will save lives. The Water Watcher's role is to be aware and mindful when supervising – absolutely no distractions. AUSTSWIM’s reach is wide and our capability can create a positive ripple effect,” continues Jennifer.

AUSTSWIM teachers taking the pledge can then nominate a friend, parent or colleague to be a designated Water Watcher, in the hope that the message about adequate safety supervision is at the forefront of everyone’s mind this summer.

For further Information contact:

Craig Halliday | General Manager Education and Communication
challiday@austswim.com.au | 0408 373 964

Jade Hanson | Marketing & Events Manager
jhanson@austswim.com.au | 0404 507 121