A plea, not to underestimate inherent dangers of being in and around pools

Our newsroom understands two men -- pulled motionless from the bottom of a commercial pool in Auckland's Newmarket on Saturday night -- were deliberately holding their breath.

They were resuscitated by a doctor at the scene, and remain in a critical condition in hospital.

Rob Hewitt from Water Safety New Zealand told TV3, people are often complacent when practicing things in pools, because have a false sense of security that staff and lifeguards will come to the rescue.

He says people should tell lifeguards what they're planning to do, and have a buddy watching them at all times.