1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:04,040 Speaker 1: Royal Life Saving Australia is urging Northern Territory parents and 2 00:00:04,280 --> 00:00:07,360 Speaker 1: carers to keep a close eye on young children around 3 00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:10,400 Speaker 1: water now. The warning comes as part of the Keep 4 00:00:10,440 --> 00:00:14,600 Speaker 1: Watch campaign, which highlights that drowning is quiet. We know 5 00:00:14,720 --> 00:00:18,040 Speaker 1: that and it's well, it's it's quiet, but it's also 6 00:00:18,079 --> 00:00:22,040 Speaker 1: incredibly quick and most often it happens when adults are 7 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:26,079 Speaker 1: distracted or when pool gates are left open. Over the 8 00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:30,400 Speaker 1: past decade, one hundred and eighty three children under four 9 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:35,120 Speaker 1: have drowned in Australia, two thirds in backyard swimming pools. 10 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:38,680 Speaker 1: It is it's terrible, it is a terrible thought. And 11 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:41,840 Speaker 1: joining us on the line right now is the Executive 12 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:45,200 Speaker 1: director of Royal Life Saving here in the Northern Territory, 13 00:00:45,320 --> 00:00:46,199 Speaker 1: Floss Roberts. 14 00:00:46,200 --> 00:00:48,920 Speaker 2: Good morning, Floss, Good morning Katie. 15 00:00:49,159 --> 00:00:52,159 Speaker 1: Lovely to have you on the show, Floss. The numbers 16 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:55,680 Speaker 1: are alarming and it is so concerning to think that 17 00:00:55,720 --> 00:01:02,400 Speaker 1: the majority of these drownings are actually happening in backyard pool. 18 00:01:00,040 --> 00:01:06,039 Speaker 2: Yes, Katie, look, they're heartbreaking, heartbreaking statistics. I've got goosebumps 19 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:10,880 Speaker 2: whenever I need to talk to about this, and you know, 20 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:14,880 Speaker 2: it's definitely we've got more swimming pools than a lot 21 00:01:14,880 --> 00:01:19,800 Speaker 2: of other states and territories. And what they're founding in 22 00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:23,119 Speaker 2: the well, it's not actually it's more than numbers. It's 23 00:01:23,160 --> 00:01:27,119 Speaker 2: about lives. And what they've found is that accidental fall 24 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:31,040 Speaker 2: ins are also that leading cause around the swimming pools 25 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:33,160 Speaker 2: as well. So they've not been in the pool, but 26 00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:37,640 Speaker 2: they've accidentally fallen in. So it's an absolute tragedy. And 27 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:41,840 Speaker 2: across one hundred and eighty three across Australia, that includes 28 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:44,119 Speaker 2: eight across the Northern Territory. 29 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:47,280 Speaker 1: And that's eight little lives. You know, it's like you said, 30 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 1: it gives you goosebumps because you just think it is 31 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:54,840 Speaker 1: an utter tragedy when a drowning occurs. And I mean 32 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:57,559 Speaker 1: like it just I mean it makes me question why 33 00:01:57,600 --> 00:02:01,200 Speaker 1: are backyard swimming pools still the most place where young 34 00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:02,200 Speaker 1: children are drowning? 35 00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:08,120 Speaker 2: Well, I mean I think that what you've already touched 36 00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:12,000 Speaker 2: on before. The two leading areas are the pool fence 37 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 2: itself might have just worn out and they've been able 38 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:18,680 Speaker 2: to get through, or the gate isn't self latching anymore. 39 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:21,519 Speaker 2: Like I know, my glass one, I replace that for 40 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:25,120 Speaker 2: the bar one because the glass one kept on to 41 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:29,160 Speaker 2: stay in the jar. And of course you know with children, 42 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:31,160 Speaker 2: you know this for sure, KD. I know with my 43 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:34,200 Speaker 2: three boys there was no fence or tree they couldn't climb. 44 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:38,480 Speaker 2: An accident, you get themselves over with intent, and the 45 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:42,680 Speaker 2: supervision is often the parents are supervising or the cares 46 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:46,600 Speaker 2: are supervising the children, but one thought the other one's watching, 47 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:50,280 Speaker 2: or they just went I just popped out to do this, 48 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:56,600 Speaker 2: and then it just goes quick, silent, and unfortunately the 49 00:02:56,680 --> 00:03:03,639 Speaker 2: tragedy's occurred. What also happens, Katie, is that for every drowning, 50 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:08,040 Speaker 2: there is up to eight non fatal drownings, and that's 51 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:11,440 Speaker 2: meant where the child has gone underneath the water and 52 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:14,160 Speaker 2: the parents or the cares have brought them up and 53 00:03:14,200 --> 00:03:18,200 Speaker 2: they've been hospitalized and they may have no further injury 54 00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:23,880 Speaker 2: or they may have permanent injuries. So that's also a 55 00:03:24,160 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 2: terrible statistic around. If something happens, you know that they've 56 00:03:29,440 --> 00:03:31,480 Speaker 2: got to be able to get them to hospital quick enough. 57 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:37,520 Speaker 2: But yeah, it's definitely the pools are an area where 58 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:40,119 Speaker 2: all families and carers have got to have their own 59 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:44,040 Speaker 2: have a really detailed supervision plan and there's no exceptions 60 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:47,120 Speaker 2: doesn't matter if it's someone's birthday or Christmas Day. 61 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:52,040 Speaker 1: It's like they are almost to me, they're almost the 62 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:56,440 Speaker 1: more important days in some ways, Floss, because anyone that's 63 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:58,640 Speaker 1: been to a kid's birthday party that's at a pool, 64 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:01,200 Speaker 1: you'll know that unless there's there's one parent that is 65 00:04:01,400 --> 00:04:06,200 Speaker 1: actively supervising, or a couple of parents that are actively supervising, 66 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:09,760 Speaker 1: sometimes what happens is people think that grandma or think 67 00:04:09,800 --> 00:04:12,800 Speaker 1: that you know, your auntie or whoever is looking after 68 00:04:12,840 --> 00:04:15,840 Speaker 1: the kids, and no one actually is. 69 00:04:17,279 --> 00:04:20,560 Speaker 2: That's right, And look, they can also I had this 70 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:24,400 Speaker 2: experience firsthand. They actually think that. I actually think, you know, 71 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:27,480 Speaker 2: my three year old can swim. He's just an absolute 72 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:30,000 Speaker 2: fish in our pool. He's so good with all this. 73 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:33,159 Speaker 2: And then he fell into the water as we were, 74 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:35,880 Speaker 2: you know, heading off to get a bit of cake, 75 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:40,120 Speaker 2: and we got to the fridge. He wasn't there. And 76 00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:42,440 Speaker 2: then I said to my husband, where is he? And 77 00:04:42,520 --> 00:04:45,039 Speaker 2: there he was, both down in the pool. He could 78 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:47,520 Speaker 2: have stood up, but he didn't. Wow and like he 79 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:49,719 Speaker 2: pulled him out and I nearly passed out. Okay, he 80 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:53,279 Speaker 2: was already blow around the lips. I'm like, oh my goodness, 81 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:58,160 Speaker 2: and you know, he just coughed and then vomited, and 82 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:00,320 Speaker 2: I was surprised at the amount of water that came 83 00:05:00,360 --> 00:05:04,560 Speaker 2: out of his mouth. And then you know, I'll cough, cough, 84 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 2: and then honestly, I remember it. I mean it was 85 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:10,640 Speaker 2: twenty eight years ago. I remember that day for ever, 86 00:05:11,320 --> 00:05:14,839 Speaker 2: and sadly I didn't realize that I probably should have 87 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:17,839 Speaker 2: taken him to hospital. But we slept with him, you know, 88 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:22,080 Speaker 2: with our sleep, sitting up and everything. But yeah, it 89 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:26,680 Speaker 2: just happens quickly and it can be it's just so dangerous, 90 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:31,280 Speaker 2: and you've got to have that non negotiable that the 91 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:35,440 Speaker 2: supervision is arm's reach and not the twelve year old 92 00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:39,080 Speaker 2: or the babysitter or that has to be the adult responsibility. 93 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:42,560 Speaker 2: And if someone's going somewhere, they've got a hand over 94 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 2: that duty. It's like lifeguarden at home. 95 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:49,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, it is spot on off loss. That made me 96 00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:52,839 Speaker 1: get goroosebumps thinking about your family going through that, and 97 00:05:52,839 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 1: then thinking about the work that you do now, the 98 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:58,920 Speaker 1: incredible work that you do, you know to help other families, 99 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:01,560 Speaker 1: to make sure that we are switched on when it 100 00:06:01,640 --> 00:06:05,320 Speaker 1: comes to looking after our kids around the water. I mean, 101 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:07,320 Speaker 1: what are some of the simple things that we can 102 00:06:07,360 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 1: do to keep our kids safe. 103 00:06:10,279 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 2: Well, keep watch, meaning you know, all of your attention, 104 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:16,440 Speaker 2: all of your time around that home swimming pool, so 105 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:20,520 Speaker 2: that supervision is number one. The second one is restrict 106 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:23,120 Speaker 2: the access. So it's not okay to have your pool 107 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:26,080 Speaker 2: fence propped open. You've got to keep that sorry gate. 108 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 2: You've got to keep that gate closed. And when the 109 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:30,520 Speaker 2: children are in there, you're in there with them, so 110 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:34,120 Speaker 2: restrict that access so they also know the rules. You know, 111 00:06:34,279 --> 00:06:36,240 Speaker 2: you're not in the pool unless Mum or Dad or 112 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:40,560 Speaker 2: Auntie your grandma's there with you. Teach them to swim. 113 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:43,599 Speaker 2: We've got the amazing learn to Swim vouchers so you 114 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 2: can go to a range of wonderful swim schools. We've 115 00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:50,960 Speaker 2: got more swim school providers now, so go teach them. 116 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:53,440 Speaker 2: And you've got that funded, you know, one hundred dollars 117 00:06:53,480 --> 00:06:56,440 Speaker 2: twice a year to use that towards your swimming lessons. 118 00:06:56,880 --> 00:07:00,520 Speaker 2: And then also Katie, know how to respond so you 119 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:04,160 Speaker 2: know nothing. You know that first day as a parent 120 00:07:04,440 --> 00:07:07,400 Speaker 2: is really important, so know what you have to do 121 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:10,239 Speaker 2: to be able to get them out of the water 122 00:07:10,480 --> 00:07:13,880 Speaker 2: and do CPR, call for an ambulance and then also 123 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:15,800 Speaker 2: you know what you need to do in those actual 124 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:20,720 Speaker 2: emergency situations. So they're the four main things. Supervised, restrict access, 125 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:24,440 Speaker 2: teach and then be able to respond. 126 00:07:24,320 --> 00:07:27,600 Speaker 1: And floss what kind of resources and what does Royal 127 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:30,680 Speaker 1: Life you know, what can people what help can they 128 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:34,240 Speaker 1: get from you guys if they need some some assistance 129 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:37,680 Speaker 1: in terms of improving that water safety awareness. 130 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:41,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely. Well they can first of all go online 131 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:46,000 Speaker 2: and get through the Royal Life Saving website for just 132 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:50,200 Speaker 2: go in there and put ww Royal Life Saving, keep 133 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:53,320 Speaker 2: watch and you can watch some little videos and they've 134 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:58,840 Speaker 2: got the different videos around you know, the children that 135 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 2: are more active and that they're very modern and it 136 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:03,800 Speaker 2: just makes you a little bit more aware. You know, 137 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:08,040 Speaker 2: the adventurous child is the one that's more scared or quiet, 138 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 2: so it's good to just have that. But you know, 139 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:14,480 Speaker 2: we've also got the water safety Awareness program so they 140 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:17,800 Speaker 2: can come in and do they can do that a 141 00:08:17,880 --> 00:08:22,600 Speaker 2: little learning or a little workshop on water safety awareness 142 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:25,520 Speaker 2: at home, so they can do that online so they 143 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:28,320 Speaker 2: can just contact Royal Life Saving Northern Territory for that 144 00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:31,000 Speaker 2: and then do the lessons that come with the water 145 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:35,480 Speaker 2: safety Awareness program. So it's enough to be able to 146 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:38,560 Speaker 2: get them started. And for some people they just ring 147 00:08:39,120 --> 00:08:41,720 Speaker 2: us up, or I'll go to a swim school and 148 00:08:41,760 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 2: say how can I do this or what do I 149 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:46,960 Speaker 2: need to do? Sometimes it's the grandparents because they're like 150 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:49,800 Speaker 2: we helping with the children with the child care, how 151 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:54,080 Speaker 2: can we do this? Now we have those lessons and 152 00:08:54,120 --> 00:08:55,600 Speaker 2: those workshops for them as well. 153 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:59,400 Speaker 1: All wonderful. Well, Loss, it is lovely to speak to 154 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:02,120 Speaker 1: you this morning. I really appreciate your time. Such an 155 00:09:02,160 --> 00:09:04,319 Speaker 1: important message in my view. 156 00:09:05,559 --> 00:09:09,760 Speaker 2: Well, thanks Katie, because it's really important that we all 157 00:09:09,880 --> 00:09:12,520 Speaker 2: help to raise that awareness of the importance of water 158 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:15,240 Speaker 2: safety and we're not telling parents how to parent, we 159 00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 2: just want to be able to keep each other safe 160 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:20,040 Speaker 2: around the water. So thanks for sharing the messages, especially 161 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:23,640 Speaker 2: as we head into the firstive season and Christmas and 162 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:24,160 Speaker 2: New Year. 163 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:28,160 Speaker 1: Yes, spot on. Floss Roberts, the executive director of Royal 164 00:09:28,240 --> 00:09:31,120 Speaker 1: Life Saving here in the Northern Territory, Thanks so much 165 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:31,760 Speaker 1: for your time.