Water safety warning after Darwin paramedics respond to two near-drowning incidents

A water safety expert has issued fresh warnings to NT families looking to stay cool in the pool after two near-drowning incidents in less than a month.

Water safety experts are warning Territorians to be vigilant around swimming areas after paramedics attended to two near-drowning incidents in less than a month.

St John NT operations manager Craig Garraway told ABC Radio an eight-year-old boy almost drowned in his Karama home over the New Year’s long weekend.

Mr Garraway said the child was in a stable condition when paramedics arrived at 2pm Saturday thanks to first aid provided by the boy’s family and friends.

“We still transported the young fella to hospital,” he said.

“He needed some treatment, he’d inhaled some water so did require to go into hospital and be treated by hospital staff but he’ll make a full recovery which is a great result for that family.”

A St John NT spokeswoman said another near-drowning incident had occurred on December 17 in Farrar.

She said paramedics arrived at midday to transport the two-year-old child to hospital.

There have been 34 drowning deaths across the country since December 1 compared to 31 this time last year, according to Royal Life Saving Australia.

Teaching kids basic water safety skills is critical to keeping families safe when spending time in or near water.

Royal Life Saving Australia senior research and policy officer Lauren Miller said it was important for families with home pools to “supervise, restrict, teach, respond”.

Ms Miller said parents should keep children within arm’s reach when supervising, and to always swim with a buddy.

She said restricting access to water was as simple as a high fence around the pool.

“There’s usually a locking mechanism to open and close the fence, so make sure that mechanism is working,” she said.

“If you can get in and out easily, that’s something that you have to take into consideration because you don’t want your children to be able to access the pool on their own.”

Ms Miller said teaching kids “basic water safety skills” was critical, as well as staying up to date with CPR and First Aid to respond to any incidents.