Parap Pool: Serious concerns raised at the quality of lifeguarding after Peter Susanto nearly drowns

Two significant failures have been recorded at a Top End pool, with a well known young Territorian left underwater with a cramp while lifeguards waited for ‘permission’ to save him.

Two serious incidents at Parap pool have raised concerns from the NT swimming community.

Serious concerns have been raised about the quality of lifeguarding at Parap pool following two significant failures of protocol in March — one of which nearly cost the life of a famous Territorian.

Mother Lenny said her son Peter Susanto, 18, nearly died when lifeguards failed to rescue him after he suffered a cramp mid-race at the Top End Sprint Meet on March 29 at Parap pool.

Peter Susanto is a former NT Young Australian of the Year has been named the Territory’s ambassador for the United Nations Children’s Fund. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

Multiple witnesses have verified the chain of events, which saw Swim NT officials notify lifeguards that Mr Susanto sank to the bottom of the water, a lifeguard then called the duty manager for ‘permission’ to rescue and received no response.

Meanwhile a 13-year-old boy, described as a “hero” by Swim NT chief executive Warren Dopson, dived into the water and rescued Mr Susanto.

“There was a complete breakdown in training and communication as the lifeguard didn’t follow the protocols at all,” Mr Dopson told the NT News.

Mr Susanto’s mother said her son was a very competent swimmer, but could not save himself due to the cramp.

Mr Susanto was competing in an event at Parap pool when he suffered the cramp. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“We cannot wait for someone to die in the public pool before we do something about it,” she said.

Mr Dopson said this was not the first example of lifeguards at Parap pool being slow to respond at swim meets.

In a separate incident on March 15, he and other witnesses said a teenage boy suffered an asthma attack at the end of a 400m medley at the NT Swimming Championships at Parap pool.

“There was a quick response from our volunteers, but a slow response from the lifeguards,” Mr Dopson said.

“He was long into recovery when the lifeguards attended, but they did not even bring a puffer or spacer.”

Swim NT runs its championship events at Parap pool. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Parap pool is owned by Darwin Council and operated by The Y NT (formerly YMCA), which manages its programs and staffing — including lifeguards.

A spokeswoman for The Y NT acknowledged both incidents had occurred, adding that in the March 15 incident a lifeguard provided oxygen, which the swimmer did not require.

The spokeswoman said the March 29 incident had triggered an internal investigation which would be shared with Darwin Council.

Mr Dopson said he thought the “biggest issue” was “the turnover of staff”.

The Y NT (formerly YMCA) provides lifeguards for Parap pool. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

“While I am confident all the staff that come in are particularly accredited, they are very inexperienced,” he said.

“Things need to change.

“What’s it going to take to make sure that everyone who enters that facility will walk out?”

The Y NT chief executive Emma Bunting said her organisation was committed to a high standard of lifeguarding.

“The Y NT is committed to maintaining high standards in the safety and supervision of each facility in line with the RLSSA Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations,” she said.

Originally published as Parap Pool: Serious concerns raised at the quality of lifeguarding after Peter Susanto nearly drowns