Goldfields pool helps drowning research
The indoor pool at the Goldfields Oasis Recreation Centre is providing breakthrough research into the prevention of drowning in public pools around Australia.
Director of See Clearly Now Gary Johnson visited the centre this week to continue research after making breakthroughs during a trip to Kalgoorlie-Boulder last year.
Mr Johnson said the design and location of the pool made it tricky for lifeguards to patrol.
“Because there are so many curves, walls and light issues in that pool, it is a really complicated pool for lifeguards to supervise,” he said.
“Last time we were here we realised the light conditions between day and night were basically reversed.
“The best place to supervise the pool during the day is not the best place at night because the glare, which creates what I call ‘dead water’ has changed sides.”
He said findings from the group’s research at the centre would help provide a safer design plan for architects to use around Australia.
“This is a very complex piece of water and I think if we can begin to understand this one a bit better, we could come up with a good plan to solve or prevent the problem elsewhere, ” he said.
“We want to do some more research here with things like in-pool lighting and seeing if that takes away the glare or makes it safer.
“We want to be able to eventually show architects the best and safest way to build and design a pool to prevent a drowning.”
During Mr Johnson’s visit, he also trained the centre’s lifeguards on how to detect these “dead” spots.
“I was a lifeguard at a pool where I lost a young boy right in front of me and we couldn’t revive him, ” he said.
“So it was that event that drove me to start asking how I could have missed it. That was when I started seeing glare and these barriers where we can’t see the bottom of the pool or anybody who is in it.”
Mr Johnson praised the local lifeguards.
“There have been some near misses here and they have spotted them and found them and it is really good, ” he said.
“These guys here work very hard.”
He said the key to effective patrolling was ensuring lifeguards remained on the move, rather than fixated on specific sections.
