SportSG committed to boosting pool safety

National agency to enhance preventive measures, after lapses that led to death of 6-year-old girl

SportSG operates 26 ActiveSG swimming complexes, including the Tampines Swimming Complex at Our Tampines Hub (above), and employs 260 full-time and 160 part-time lifeguards. Their guidelines include not switching on personal audio equipment and not leavin
SportSG operates 26 ActiveSG swimming complexes, including the Tampines Swimming Complex at Our Tampines Hub (above), and employs 260 full-time and 160 part-time lifeguards. Their guidelines include not switching on personal audio equipment and not leaving duty points without permission. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
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Last Friday night, The Sunday Times observed four lifeguards on duty at the four pools at the Heartbeat @ Bedok ActiveSG Swimming Complex. Earlier that day, five lifeguards were patrolling the six pools at the Tampines Swimming Complex located at Our Tampines Hub. There were more than five lifeguards there yesterday afternoon.

According to SportSG, its public pools receive more than seven million visits annually. In 2017, it recorded 130 interventions where swimmers required the assistance of lifeguards. From 1989 to 2017, there were 39 drowning fatalities.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on April 07, 2019, with the headline SportSG committed to boosting pool safety. Subscribe