The society made its view known to the police during an investigation into the drowning of China national Zhang Zhenyang last November.

'Safety is a collective responsibility of both the pool user and the lifeguard,' said State Coroner Victor Yeo who recorded the death of the 28-year-old engineering assistant as accidental.

The incident took place at Jurong West Aquatic Centre Pool in Jurong West Sports and Recreation Centre on Nov 4 year.

Mr Zhang had gone swimming there around 5pm that day and was later found submerged in the 1.85m-deep pool.

Despite vigorous resuscitation, he died about 11/2 hours later.

Police investigation showed that Mr Zhang had gone to the pool alone after his flatmates refused to accompany him. No one knew if he could swim but he had gone to the pool alone or with a friend a few times before.

His colleague, Mr Yang Chun Quan, 42, was with his family at the pool when Mr Zhang asked him to teach him how to breathe when doing the breast stroke.

The senior research and development engineer demonstrated how he should take breaths but did not go into the water to show him.

At about 6.30pm, Mr Yang saw Mr Zhang in the competition pool and he appeared to be all right. But 40 minutes later, a couple alerted lifeguard Lee Tiong Kun, 25, that Mr Zhang was submerged in the pool.

He shouted to his colleague to get the automated external defibrillator and a resuscitation unit.

Mr Lee dived into the pool and brought Mr Zhang out with the help of swimming instructor Loo Cheang Yean, 41.

After Mr Loo had given him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, Mr Zhang started vomiting. Resuscitation continued until the ambulance arrived and took him to National University Hospital where he died at about 8.25pm.

The court heard that there were about 60 swimmers at the pool complex at the time. Neither of the two lifeguards on duty had seen anyone struggling in the pool. The spotlights were on and the area was bright.