Aquatics Blog - All Comments

Danger Safety Signs

Danger Safety Signs — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:09:03 GMT

Prevention or control of exposure to substances hazardous to health. ...... (1) The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999[21] are ...

re: Lifeguard Ratios

marc — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:23:59 GMT

So the ratio to a lifeguard is 25 swimmers to one guard? What if there are about 18 or so swimmers but a bunch of patrons on deck making the total of patrons to one guard more then 25? What I'm trying to say is there could be 9 people in the pool, but 50 people on deck. Do you still believe it should be just one guard on duty?

Marc,

To calculate the ratio, I recommend that your guards count anyone who is a potential swimmer--a person who is on deck and may get into the pool. For example, if you have 20 children in swim lessons in the pool and 10 clothed parents sitting on the bleachers watching, then the guards can use only the 20 children in calculating a ratio. However, if you have an open swim period with 10 swimmers in the pool and 20 on the deck or near the pool playing, reading, sunbathing, etc., then the guards should count those patrons and use 30 as the number of swimmers. At any time, those outside the pool could jump in, and you need to be prepared to be within ratio.

I hope this helps, but please remember the main point of the blog post above: the 1:25 ratio is a minimum number of lifeguards necessary only. It should not be the reference you use for determining how many guards you should have scanning the swimming area. For that, you must take into account the type of activity, lifegaurd visibility, and positioning. Most of the time more than one guard is necessary even for less than 25 swimmers to cover the entire swimming area.

Thanks for the question - Gareth

re: Lifeguard Cold Weather Apparel

Brigitte Decato — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:13:54 GMT

Sound advice!

re: Lifeguard Positioning

Andrew Vaughan — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:39:34 GMT

I am so glad i came across this blog. I am going to link to it from my blog as it has articles that are very close to my heart.

Andrew

waterparkleadership.blogspot.com

re: Lightning Pool-Closure Policy

DoraGraimmigh — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 05:46:26 GMT

Excellent site blogs.redwoodsgroup.com and I am really pleased to see you have what I am actually looking for here and this this post is exactly what I am interested in. It's taken me literally 3 hours and 38 minutes of searching the web to find you (just kidding!) so I shall be pleased to become a regular visitor :)

re: The Millennial Generation (Gen Y) and Anger Management

Stephen Dauchert — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:01:04 GMT

I think that some of your ideas on Generation Y are misdirected. You say, "They have the reputation of being impatient, demanding and possess a sense of entitlement." Each of these needs to be explained.

First, we have a need for information. We have grown up with the internet and cell phones. We have had fast and easy access to information our whole lives. I think that “impatient” is the wrong word to use here. The idea applies more towards availability and access than retrieval time.

Next, I think that “demanding” should be changed to “high-maintenance”. They are similar terms with different connotations. Demanding implies that we are entitled to something and insist, command, or order that it be given to us. Instead I would say that we are high-maintenance. We have been pampered and nurtured our whole lives. We want that care and consideration to continue.

Lastly, you say, “sense of entitlement”. I would change that to “self-worth”. We are a generation based on change. We embrace change and even try to create it. When we work for a company we have such high self-worth we immediately want to change the company and express our ideas.

You go on to say, “You can’t bark orders at them…” I completely agree with this. But I ask, who wants to have orders ‘barked’ at them? I think what you mean is that we do not like the command-and-control style of management. We have grown up questioning our parents and our teachers, and now we’re questioning our employers. I think the point you are trying to make is that we do not blindly obey orders. We want to have reason and rationale behind our commands.

You end the post with a claim that Generation Y has issues with anger. I do not think this is an issue with anger. Instead I think this is a communication barrier. A recent USA Today article says, “They've grown up questioning their parents, and now they're questioning their employers. They don't know how to shut up, which is great, but that's aggravating to the 50-year-old manager who says, 'Do it and do it now.' “

People don’t need tips on how to deal with Generation Yers. I think that first people need to understand Generation Y. We are a generation that is not afraid to challenge the status quo. We were raised in an environment where creativity and independent thinking were looked upon as positive and appealing. We’re independent and ready to change the world!

Respectfully,

Stephen Dauchert

Born 1984

Citation: USA Today, www.usatoday.com/.../2005-11-06-gen-y_x.htm

re: Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act

Dave Shope w/ All Pool & Spa — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:16:31 GMT

Aloha,

Need to know main drain distances apart. I understand less than 3' requires a svrs switch. Anything more than 3' does not require a switch just the drain covers. I've heard over 6' requires switch, but can not find that in any of your information. Please inform.

Sincerely,

Dave Shope All Pool & Spa

Dave- Thanks for your question. I am not aware of the greater than 6' needing a SVRS switch, it may be an issue of "blockable drains". I would advise you to investigate the ANSI standards for more engineering details.

re: Lifeguard Positioning

Matt Markey — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:51:01 GMT

All of the points that have been made are excellent. I would encourage everyone to not do the Zone Validation study alone, involve all lifeguard staff as an addition to regular in-service training. When lifeguard staff are engaged in the process it reinforces the scanning points that we most often struggle with. If their is a point of the pool that can not be seen because of glare, reflection, refraction staff are forced to adjust their actions to be certain that all areas of the pool can be seen. This can be done without expensive sihouttes, I have used large rubber coated washers to section off zones of the pool. Guards must adjust their scanning or observation patterns to see each washer at a minimum of every 30 seconds.

Give it a try and see what happens. If nothing else you will very quickly identify what staff really get it, and at the same time complete the Zone validation study.

re: Lightning Pool-Closure Policy

Diane Kohlbecker — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:07:38 GMT

Closing an indoor pool during a lightening storm should be done because it's not just about the risk of being struck by lightening. If there is a power failure trying to make sure everyone gets out of the pool safely is a big concern. Some pools emergency lighting system may take a few minutes to kick on and the risk of a drowning out weighs a few unhappy members. This is what I use to explain why we clear the pool during a storm.

re: Recruit Hire Retain

Matt Markey — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:24:16 GMT

Thanks Terry for your insight.

I have been fortunate to have a pretty good lifeguard staff over the past several years and would like to quickly share one retention method that seems to have worked for me.

Once I have identified the certified lifeguard staff who consistently model core values they become a part of the aquatic safety leadership team. Because we don't exactly have money to give out raises being a part of this team is strickly volunteer. These staff become responsible for administering our DROP tests, running in-service trainings, policy review, ect. Expanded leadership opportunities seem to have given great staff even more of a reason to be committed. I can honestly say that because of the economy and recent minimum wage increases I have not given a raise in over 4 years and yet staff continue to excel. I know many have stayed longer that a typical lifeguard because working here is more than a job to most of them. And the really cool thing is that in most cases they are waiting for me to help identify the next thing to work on!

Thanks Matt!!!