The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for tensioning a safety net on a swimming pool. In one aspect, a tension apparatus for use with a pool net is provided. The apparatus includes a housing and a selectively engagable gear arrangement disposed in the housing. The apparatus further includes a rotatable member for supplying rotational energy to the gear arrangement and a spool member operatively attached to the gear arrangement. Additionally, the apparatus includes a cable at least partially wrapped around the spool member, wherein the cable includes a connector configured to connect to the pool net. In another aspect, a method for tensioning a pool net is provided. In yet another aspect, an apparatus for use in tensioning a net is provided.