KEY POINTS:
A toddler who drowned at a public pool in Auckland may have survived if young lifeguards had been trained better in emergency procedures, an eyewitness claims.
Family friend Debbie Munroe told the Herald on Sunday that lifeguards failed to notice 2-year-old Harlem Ru-Meti drowning and appeared unable to help with resuscitation attempts.
The school teacher had hired the Massey Park Aquatic Centre in Papakura on November 24 for her grandson's fifth birthday. She was compelled to speak after reading pool management's version of events two weeks ago.
The death has sparked a major safety review, the recommendations of which are yet to be released.
Pool management assured the Herald on Sunday the six staff members working that night - five lifeguards and a receptionist - were fully trained and had done the best job possible.
They said the death was a tragic but timely reminder for parents to ensure they remained within arm's reach of small children at all times.
Munroe said moments before his death, Harlem was in ankle-deep water at the edge of the wave pool, supervised by his mother and her friend. The friend was Munroe's daughter, who is a receptionist at the complex but was a guest that day.
Munroe said her daughter went to fetch something from reception and, as she turned to go, Harlem said, "Aunty, look, I can blow bubbles".
She said, "Just a minute sweetie, wait there," and walked towards the foyer. Her daughter and Harlem's mother each believed the other was watching the child during those crucial "seconds", Munroe said.
Both are too upset to speak publicly, but Munroe described the horror-filled moments as birthday-boy Zykiel Leaf spotted Harlem floating face down, and her 19-year-old nephew Corey Thomas pulled him out.
"I ran over and started mouth to mouth," Munroe said. "I will admit I have no training, but I just did it without thinking.
"Baby was alive when we pulled him out, he opened his eyes up twice. He should not have died. We could have saved him."
She claimed of the five lifeguards on duty, who ranged in ages from 16 to 26, only one helped with resuscitation attempts. She said two lifeguards went into the office area and cried.
"I know it was a big shock, but they are supposed to be trained. If they had been trained, and if they had done their job, I really don't think Harlem would have died."
Munroe said her biggest concern was that staff switched on the wave machine, despite being told not to. The Herald on Sunday understands at least two lifeguards have quit following the death.
Harlem's mother blamed herself for the accident, but Munroe believed pool staff should take some of the responsibility. "A baby died because they were not doing their job and why should they get away with it?"
Pool management refused to comment further, other than to say investigations were continuing. They reminded parents to watch children at all times.
Water Safety New Zealand also declined to comment further. Two weeks ago general manager Matt Claridge told the Herald on Sunday there were several issues surrounding the death, and reiterated management's safety advice.
POOL DEATH CLAIMS
* Family and friends of Harlem Ru-Meti say pool safety procedure was flawed. Among their concerns are:
* The wave pool "should never have been started".
* There was no warning bell before waves started.
* Lifeguards were observed chatting, not providing full attention to swimmers.
* Family members pulled child out, not lifeguards.
* Only one lifeguard offered to help family perform CPR.
* Lifeguard did not know how to set up oxygen tank.
