CPR signage & Pool Safety

Knowing CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) can save lives and can help to reduce serious water related incidents.

Whilst only some regions legislate the requirement for CPR signage to be placed near or in the immediate vicinity of the pool or spa environment. We recommend that every pool and spa owner display one prominently near the pool (ideally near the step area as this is the most likely place a rescue & resuscitation will take place).

CPR signage for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation follows guidelines prescribed by the Australian Resuscitation Council.

The Basic steps of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation are D-R-S-A-B-C-D

• DANGERS - Check for danger (hazards/risks/safety)

• RESPONSIVENESS - Check for response (if unresponsive)

• SEND - Send for help

• AIRWAY - Open the airway.

• BREATHING - Check breathing (if not breathing / abnormal breathing)

• CPR - Start CPR (give 30 chest compressions followed by two breaths)

• DEFIBRILLATION - Attach an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) as soon as available and follow the prompts.

Recommendations

The Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR) makes the following recommendations:

1. Rescuers must start CPR if the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally.

2. Bystander CPR should be actively encouraged.

3. Compression-to-ventilation ratio be 30:2 for all ages.

4. All rescuers perform chest compressions for all who are not breathing normally. Rescuers who are trained and willing to give rescue breaths are encouraged to do so.

5. Chest compressions should be provided at a rate of approximately 100 - 120 /min.

6. Rescuers should aim to minimise interruptions to chest compressions.

*Please note this is general information and does not substitute for proper First Aid training.

Pool & Spa Registration, Barrier Inspections & Compliance.

All swimming pools and spas in Victoria must be registered with the applicable local council. All pools & spas capable of containing water greater than 300mm (30cm) must also have a compliant safety barrier (fences & gates) to restrict access to the pool area by young children (under the age of five).

To comply your barriers with the relevant standard, you must have a registered barrier inspector, come to your property, inspect your barriers and you’ll need to make any recommended repairs advised by the inspector, before obtaining a Certificate of Compliance, which then needs to be presented to your local council also.

You can use these checklists to get a head start on your compliance, however, these are NOT a substitute for a Certificate of Compliance.

• Checklist 1 (for pools and spas installed before 8 April 1991)

• Checklist 2 (for pools and spas installed between 8 April 1991 and 30 April 2010)

• Checklist 3 (for pools and spas installed from 1 May 2010)

Inspection & lodgement deadlines

• For pools and spas constructed between 1 July 1994 and 1 May 2010, a certificate of barrier compliance must be lodged by 1 June 2022

• For pools and spas constructed between 1 May 2010 and 31 May 2020, a certificate of barrier compliance must be lodged by 1 June 2023

For more information on Pool & Spa Barrier compliance, please contact us.

References

https://resus.org.au/the-arc-guidelines/ (Section 8)
https://www.spasa.com.au/pool-and-spa-owners/faqs-tips-and-tricks/pool-and-spa-safety-rules
https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/swimming-pools/inspections-and-compliance

Pool & Spa Safety - CPR

If you have a pool or spa, you must have a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) sign prominently displayed, ideally in eye-sight of the step area, as this is the most obvious place assistance would take place. 

Knowing CPR can save lives. It’s recommended that pool spa owners should be trained in CPR and have resuscitation skills. Remember, if someone gets into a dangerous situation phone your local emergency services.

Life Saving Victoria has a number of great resources for you to keep your family safe around the pool & spa, allowing you to relax and enjoy it!

Their Resuscitate checklist is:

• Check for danger to self, to bystanders and to the victim (Danger)

• Shout “Are you ok?” and gently squeeze the victim’s shoulder (Response)

• Send for help (Send)

• Clear and maintain airway (Airway)

• Look, listen and feel for breathing (Breathing)

• If no signs of life, commence CPR (Compression)

• If available, grab a defibrillator and follow the prompts (Defibrillation)

View their other pool safety services here - https://lsv.com.au/pool-safety-services

CPR signs

CPR signs must:

• be attached to the safety barrier of the pool or spa, or displayed near the water so that the sign is easily visible to a person near the pool or spa

• be at least 300mm by 300mm in size

• ideally, be made of durable and weatherproof material

• include a prominent statement explaining how to act in an emergency (e.g. call Triple Zero, stay with the injured person, provide first aid).

Please contact us if you require a new CPR sign for your pool area. You can purchase in-store or arrange for us to supply one at our next service.

CPR sign example - Life Saving Victoria

Life Saving Victoria

Life-Saving Victoria’s mission is to prevent aquatic-related death and injury in all Victorian communities. Their Vision is that all Victorians will learn water safety, swimming and resuscitation and be provided with safe aquatic environments and venues.

Visit https://lsv.com.au for more information about the LSV.