Children will not be allowed to use civic swimming pools without a buddy. Following the drowning of a seven-year-old in the pool at Andheri Sports Complex on March 12, the BMC has decided to introduce the ‘buddy’ system at its pools.
According to the system, every child will be paired with another in the same ability group. The buddies will check in and out
of the swimming area together.Each child will lifeguard his buddy. Pool instructors will call out for buddies at regular intervals.
Deputy municipal commissioner Chandrasekhar Rokade said that the system will help keep tabs on each and every child. The same system will be followed for adults who are learners. They will not be allowed to enter the swimming area without pairing up with a person in the same ability group.
According to Rokade, the system is already in use in the popular and well-known pools across the country.The BMC has appointed a private consultant to conduct a safety audit for its pools at Andheri Sports Complex and Mulund — the only two pools among seven such BMC facilities. The Rashtriya Life-Saving Society (RLSS) will audit the infrastructure, safety standards, quality of water used, functional value of chlorination and the filtration plans.
The BMC panel probing the drowning case received complaints of poor water quality and lack of safety standards at the pool. Concerns on the operation of the filtration plant were raised too. Rear Admiral PD Sharma, founder trustee, RLSS, said, “Standards norms are prescribed for safety at swimming pools and these must be adhered to.”
Sharma visited the Andheri pool on Friday. While his team will submit a detailed audit report, Sharma said that the water quality at the pool left a lot to be desired.
The agency will also be handed the responsibility of imparting a certified training course for lifeguards.
RLSS has worked as a consultant for safer swimming with the Pune Municipal Corporation.
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