Safety protocols must at swimming pools to prevent drowning | Pune News
Pune: Drowning incidents in the city recently have highlighted the need for adequate safety measures and proper supervision at swimming pools in housing societies and public spaces, even as these facilities continue to operate without trained lifeguards or required precautions.
A six-year-old drowned in a pool under maintenance in Dhayari, raising concerns about access control and supervision. An 85-year-old man ignored warnings and entered a pool and drowned despite the presence of a lifeguard in Wanowrie. The recent incidents call for stronger safety regulations and responsible pool management.
President of a housing society on Salunke Vihar Road said, “We have kept the pool empty for three years since we have no budget for a full-time lifeguard with many defaulters not paying society charges. Our funds have depleted over the last five years.”
Many housing societies cite similar financial constraints to not hire professional lifeguards. Some have taken shortcuts and hired individuals with basic swimming skills instead of certified lifeguards, questioning their ability to ensure safety. These individuals also double up as pool cleaners.
A few societies have turned pools into water storage facilities ahead of summer, but fail to implement safety measures to avoid accidents.
A management committee member of a housing society in Undri said, “The pool area is restricted and covered. We have updated all residents that it is out of bounds. It is up to them to supervise their children, ensuring the latter do not enter restricted areas.”
Public pools are also under scrutiny. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has commissioned an audit being conducted by the Rashtriya Life Saving Society India (RLSS) of all public swimming pools in the city. The report will analyse the safety at 35 public pools, of which eight are non-functional. In collaboration with PMC, the RLSS is conducting a workshop on pool safety on March 24 to address essential lifeguard training and drowning prevention techniques at Bapusaheb Kedari Swimming Pool on Shivarkar Road.
Retired Rear Admiral Purushottam Dutt Sharma of RLSS said, “Citizens need to realise and acknowledge the importance of safety and help people in need. There is complete lack of attention to detail when tragedy strikes. Many societies are reluctant to hire trained lifeguards, putting their own residents, including children, at risk.”
Local leaders have stepped in to push for better pool safety measures. Rohan Gaikwad, MNS Prabhag president of NIBM-Mohammadwadi, circulated notices in housing societies outlining essential precautions such as supervision of children, pool barriers, clear signage, hygiene maintenance, and restrictions on running, glassware, intoxication and smoking near pool areas. “We also reached out to societies to help them hire qualified lifeguards,” he added.
PMC pools are managed by third-party contractors, who sign affidavits to comply with safety, management and maintenance rules. However, civic deputy commissioner (sports) Kishori Shinde said enforcement remains a challenge and adherence varies.
Stricter enforcement of safety norms, regular audits, and responsible pool management are critical to ensure that swimming pools are places of recreation — not tragedy.
A six-year-old drowned in a pool under maintenance in Dhayari, raising concerns about access control and supervision. An 85-year-old man ignored warnings and entered a pool and drowned despite the presence of a lifeguard in Wanowrie. The recent incidents call for stronger safety regulations and responsible pool management.
President of a housing society on Salunke Vihar Road said, “We have kept the pool empty for three years since we have no budget for a full-time lifeguard with many defaulters not paying society charges. Our funds have depleted over the last five years.”
Many housing societies cite similar financial constraints to not hire professional lifeguards. Some have taken shortcuts and hired individuals with basic swimming skills instead of certified lifeguards, questioning their ability to ensure safety. These individuals also double up as pool cleaners.
A few societies have turned pools into water storage facilities ahead of summer, but fail to implement safety measures to avoid accidents.
A management committee member of a housing society in Undri said, “The pool area is restricted and covered. We have updated all residents that it is out of bounds. It is up to them to supervise their children, ensuring the latter do not enter restricted areas.”
Public pools are also under scrutiny. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has commissioned an audit being conducted by the Rashtriya Life Saving Society India (RLSS) of all public swimming pools in the city. The report will analyse the safety at 35 public pools, of which eight are non-functional. In collaboration with PMC, the RLSS is conducting a workshop on pool safety on March 24 to address essential lifeguard training and drowning prevention techniques at Bapusaheb Kedari Swimming Pool on Shivarkar Road.
Retired Rear Admiral Purushottam Dutt Sharma of RLSS said, “Citizens need to realise and acknowledge the importance of safety and help people in need. There is complete lack of attention to detail when tragedy strikes. Many societies are reluctant to hire trained lifeguards, putting their own residents, including children, at risk.”
Local leaders have stepped in to push for better pool safety measures. Rohan Gaikwad, MNS Prabhag president of NIBM-Mohammadwadi, circulated notices in housing societies outlining essential precautions such as supervision of children, pool barriers, clear signage, hygiene maintenance, and restrictions on running, glassware, intoxication and smoking near pool areas. “We also reached out to societies to help them hire qualified lifeguards,” he added.
PMC pools are managed by third-party contractors, who sign affidavits to comply with safety, management and maintenance rules. However, civic deputy commissioner (sports) Kishori Shinde said enforcement remains a challenge and adherence varies.
Stricter enforcement of safety norms, regular audits, and responsible pool management are critical to ensure that swimming pools are places of recreation — not tragedy.
link
