Karen Baildon, founder of Superfish Swim Schools, was featured in Get It Magazine sharing expert insights on drowning prevention and water safety. This article highlights the importance of supervision, swimming skills, and simple steps every family can take to reduce risk around water.
GET-IT MAGAZINE FEATURE, NOVEMBER 2021 Featuring Karen Baildon, Superfish Swim Schools
Protect your child from DROWNING
Summer is fast approaching. Unfortunately, so is ‘drowning season’
According to Royal Life Saving, lockdowns and prolonged periods of stay at home due to Covid has drowning facilities skyrocketing.
Drowning rates for the 0–4 age bracket have increased 108 per cent in 2021. This result is devastating.
There are steps we can all do in preparation for the silly season and achieve ‘zero’ unnecessary drownings, that devastate families.
✔ Complete a Pool Safety Checklist
– Check your pool gate and fences, latches and locks are all compliant and safe.
✔ Don’t EVER ‘prop’ pool gates open! Make sure of this if your child goes on play dates at homes that have pools!
✔ Do YOU hold your CPR? Make sure all parents, carers and older children in the household hold their CPR.
✔ A CPR course takes two hours to be qualified and courses are held in multiple locations across the Coast!
CPR is a lifesaving skill.
✔ All Australian babies, toddlers and young children should be attending structured, progressive swimming classes – Make sure your children can all back float and tread water independently.
Until they can perform these skills INDEPENDENTLY they are not strong swimmers.
Additionally
✔ Don’t ever leave children in the bath alone or with other children – even to answer the phone. Always supervise!
✔ Don’t leave pool toys in, or around pool areas – small children will climb and scale over pool fences in any way possible, especially if toys are attracting their attention.
✔ Kids are still at risk in portable pools! Constantly watch children swimming in portable pools and then empty as soon as they are finished their swim.
✔ Don’t involve adults drinking alcohol while children are swimming – ALWAYS make sure there is a ‘Responsible Adult’ in charge of supervision while kids are swimming.
✔ Avoid alcohol when around the water!
✔ Always wear lifejackets when on the water while kayaking, in canoes, jet skiing, boat trips, when in rivers, lakes, dams, the ocean and seas.
✔ Avoid boating or swimming alone.
STAY SAFE! AND HAVE FUN ON THE WATER THIS SUMMER!
Karen Baildon is the Founder and Owner of Superfish Swim Schools now in its 25th year, with five locations across South East Queensland.
Karen is a qualified Trainer and Assessor, specialising in swimming development in children.
She was a key-note speaker at The World Aquatic Development Conference 2020.
She has been a multi-time speaker at The Australian Swim Coaches and Teachers Association National Conferences and National Swim Info Sessions, talking to Swim School Owners, Managers and Teachers.