Written Reply by Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing Regarding Safety Measures at Self-Use Facilities in SAF Camps

Ms Joan Pereira asked the Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence what are the safety measures in place for the self-use of facilities within Singapore Armed Forces camps, such as swimming pools and fitness equipment, including having safety officers or lifeguards on duty.

Minister for Defence, Mr Chan Chun Sing:

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) service personnel who are medically and physically fit are allowed to participate in self-initiated physical fitness activities on SAF premises to improve their personal fitness. In doing so, they are required to take precautions to mitigate risks, which include bringing their mobile phones with them and remaining contactable, and pairing with a buddy if the activity is done outside SAF premises (e.g., for an out-of-camp run). SAF units also remind their service personnel to contact the emergency ambulance service in the event of medical exigencies, and provide forms to help service personnel assess their suitability for self-initiated activity as an additional precautionary measure.

Gyms and swimming pools in SAF premises are manned by duty personnel or lifeguards during operating hours. SAF service personnel are allowed to use these facilities outside operating hours without duty personnel or lifeguards on site, as long as they take the precautions required of self-initiated fitness activities. Since late August 2025, added precautions have been implemented for self-initiated swimming activities. Service personnel are now not allowed to swim alone with no one else at the pool, if there are no lifeguards on site.