Olympic swimmer Libby Trickett urges parents to be pool-safe this summer and recalls terrifying moment her own kids almost drowned
"All of a sudden she was under the water..."
Olympian, yoga teacher and mum-of-three, Libby Trickett – who is expecting her fourth child in 2023 – has opened up about some terrifying almost-drowning incidents with her own children.
Libby, who has daughters Poppy, seven, Edwina, four, and three-year-old, Bronte, with her husband Luke, has partnered with pool servicing business Poolwerx, after experiencing for herself just how quickly and silently a child can get into trouble in the water.
“We have had moments where we have been sitting poolside and they have slipped under the water so quickly and silently,” says Libby.
“The first incident took place just before Bronte was born. I was sitting right next to [Eddie] and I must have turned my head and all a sudden she was under the water and I did not hear it at all.”
Libby says another terrifying almost-drowning incident took place on Boxing Day when Bronte slipped under water.
“We were not distracted. We were being really responsible, sitting right there, but yet we didn’t see or hear anything,” says Libby.
“I think the biggest thing for us was that even though we were not distracted by a phone or even another child or anything, something like this can happen. You can just look away for 10 seconds and they can slip into the water.”
Libby Trickett grew up in the water, but even she has experiences scary poolside moments with her little ones.
Water safety is a consistent concern for Aussie parents everywhere with a new Poolwerx survey showing 70 per cent of Australian parents believe water safety education and swimming lessons were just as important as road safety, with 28 per cent believing it to be even more significant.
The survey release comes as chilling statistics from the 2022 Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report reveals that 17 children under the age of four drowned in backyard pools/water this year.
In an effort to prevent tragic drowning deaths and ease parents’ concerns, Poolwerx and Kids Alive are back again this year with Learn2Swim Week, offering free swimming lessons for children under five from Saturday 23 September to Sunday 1 October 2022.
Over the course of a week, hundreds of swim schools across the country will offer free swimming lessons to children under the age of five as part of the water safety initiative, with registrations still open for swim schools to sign up for the annual event.
Tragically, death by drowning in swimming pools is still the highest among children under four and with many Australian families encountering near-drowning experiences, more parents are seeking accessible ways to increase their children’s water safety.
Libby urges parents to never be complacent around the pool, remain diligent and truly switched on when supervising.
“I look forward to this week every year, and am so incredibly proud to champion Learn2Swim Week for Poolwerx. Like thousands of Aussie parents, water safety is always at the front of my mind and with the warmer weather approaching, I want to help ensure every parent has the opportunity to have the safest summer yet and enjoy the water.
“Growing up in the water, it was a no-brainer to prioritise enrolling my three girls in swimming lessons early. Learn2Swim Week provides a great opportunity for those parents who haven’t enrolled in lessons to experience the importance of water safety for free.
Scroll down to read Poolwerx and Laurie Lawrence’s Kids Alive do the Five tips for water safety
“I want to help ensure every parent has the opportunity to have the safest summer yet and enjoy the water.”
Poolwerx and Laurie Lawrence’s Kids Alive do the Five
To ensure kids are safe in and around the pool this summer, Poolwerx and Laurie Lawrence’s Kids Alive do the Five have provided its top safety tips to check off before diving in.
1. Nominate a responsible pool person to supervise
Nominate one or multiple people to act as a responsible pool person, and wear their bright hat as they supervise those in and around the pool.
2. Ensure your pool is safe and secure
Check that all gates, fences and latches are in perfect working condition.
3. Ensure no ‘climbables’ near the fence
Any furniture that leans against the pool fence can act as a ladder for young kids to scale fences without parental knowledge. Ensure the space around the pool is clear at all times.
4. Reduce distractions and remove glassware
No glass or drinks should be around the pool when in use. Don’t get distracted by your phone when children are in the pool area.
5. Maintain pool water health
Make sure your pool water is healthy and clear.
Libby Trickett with her three daughters, Poppy, Edwina and Bronte.
