“Drowning can happen very quickly”: Libby Trickett says her daughter silently slipped under water

Expert Advice – 25 Oct 23 By Fiona Wright

"We're lucky the worst didn't happen."

“We’re lucky the worst didn’t happen.”

Olympian Libby Trickett is passionate about water safety and says now is the perfect time to educate and prepare for the warmer months ahead.

Libby, who shares daughters Poppy (8yo), Edwina (6yo), six, Bronte (4yo) and five-month-old son Alfred with her husband Luke, is an official ambassador for Poolwerx.

To help Australians remain safe around water this summer, Poolwerx has unveiled a Summer Safety Checklist. The simple three-step system encourages pool-goers to secure their gates and fences; learn vital swimming skills, CPR, and emergency action plans; and watch your friends’ and family’s back while around water.

“The checklist is a small action that will make a big difference,” says the former Olympic swimmer.

“We’re all eager to be heading back into the water, but before that, it’s important that we brush up on our water safety skills and awareness. Having this checklist by the pool is a simple but effective way to keep life-saving habits front of mind for friends, family and loved ones.”

“Every single life lost to drowning is one too many and that’s why we’re all coming together to show that whether you’re in the pool or at the beach this summer, everyone needs to take water safety seriously.”

Libby Trickett with newborn son Alfred, and standing next to a Poolwerx swim safety checklist — Libby welcomed her fourth child, Alfred, in May, 2023. *(Image: Instagram/Supplied)*

Libby urges parents to be vigilant about water safety and warns drowning can happen quickly and silently.

“Drowning happens in the blink of an eye and understanding that accidents happen all the time and drowning isn’t a very dramatic episode. We imagine flailing or noise but and particularly for older kids, they might knock their head or have an accident and slip and fall or be in the ocean in conditions that are unfamiliar to them and that’s when the scary stuff does happen.”

The former gold medalist has previously opened up about a terrifying almost-drowning incident with her daughter. It’s a cautionary tale that she hopes will help other parents understand how quickly and silently a child can get into a dangerous situation in the water.

“It’s why I wanted to share that story because these things happen to anybody and everybody,” says Libby. “From a very young age my daughters have been in swimming lessons because water safety is something my husband and I are very passionate about because we spend a lot of time around water.”

Libby Trickett's daughters swim in the pool — Libby’s daughters are always supervised when they are in the pool. *(Image: Instagram)*

The moment Libby’s daughter almost drowned

Recalling the frightening incident, Libby says it took place on Boxing Day a few years ago.

“My husband was with my oldest daughter and my youngest daughter in the pool,” she says.

“He had his back turned helping Poppy get something out of the pool while my youngest daughter was on the step. She then took a step into the deeper water. He didn’t hear anything because she she just slipped in, which is scary because it’s not a big splash. She was struggling for about 20 seconds before she managed to get her little head up above the water and take a gasp.

“That was what alerted him that something was wrong. If he hadn’t been there, or if he’d been distracted by noise, she might have been in the water for longer. The reality is, drowning can happen very, very quickly.

“We’re very lucky that the worst didn’t happen. She didn’t take in any water, but it certainly rattled her. She was scared to go under water for a good few months. It obviously terrified the beejeezus out of Luke and I because you realise how quickly and silently these things happened and he was right there, he was a metre away from her and it can still happen.”

Libby Trickett with her husband and four children in the countryside — Libby Trickett with her husband, Luke and their four children. *(Image: Instagram)*

Water safety is everyone’s responsibility

Libby warns parents to never be complacent around the pool, to remain diligent and truly switch on when supervising.

“One drowning is too many, and the impact that has on families and on friends and the surrounding community is devastating, so we all need to make sure we’re all taking this into our hands and being as safe around the water as we can.

“Whether that’s having a plan, having a designated responsible person watching everyone not distracted by technology or books, alcohol and water just do not mix, swimming at a patrolled beach and at home making sure your gate works so making sure we’re taking the precautions,” says Libby.

“The most important thing is that water safety is everyone’s responsibility. We need to make sure we’re looking after ourselves and being really vigilant around the water. That might sound boring but I would rather be a little bit boring and really careful around the water.”

Prevent drowning and keep water safety top of mind

Poolwerx CEO, Nic Brill says new figures from the Royal Life Saving Australia National Drowning Report revealed 29 people drowned in a pool over the past 12 months.

“Spending time by the water is part of the fabric of our Australian summers, so we need to ensure that everyone, not just parents with young children, are setting themselves up for a joyful end to the year, not a tragic one,” he says.

“One in seven Australians live in a house with a swimming pool or spa, so it’s crucial that we stop and educate ourselves on how to safely enjoy these pastimes as we head into the swimming season.

“It’s not just children who are at risk around water – recent stats show us that adults, particularly those aged over 45, accounted for almost 60% of drownings – so this checklist provides steps towards a safer summer for all Australians.”

Download your own Summer Safety Checklist HERE.