Kurt Carmen
The Ohio Aquatic
Council, Ltd.

(614) 262-8987

How does your organization measure up?

Would you recognize excellence if you saw it? Better yet, would your boss? Do you have Standards that govern the conduct of your aquatic program? Here is a compilation of ideas collected from professional organizations worldwide. This information is offered only as a guideline. Review the components that are important to you and your organization, study the applicable operational codes in your area and begin to create meaningful measurable criteria (Standards) by which your success can be evaluated.

DESCRIPTION:

Aquatics programming provides opportunities and assistance to participants on all levels who wish to be involved with the aquatic environment. These voluntary programs provide leadership skills, learning opportunities, fitness and cardiovascular training, and they allow individuals a variety of aquatic sports and disciplines to participate at their own pace.

  
PROGRAMMING

Aquatic programming must recognize and provide for a balanced, varied and controlled program of activities as individuals or groups seek new sports or disciplines in the aquatic environment.

Aquatic programming should be designed to accommodate beginning, intermediate, and advanced participants, as well as individuals with varying levels of knowledge and expertise. The program should be designed to effectively instruct all levels of participants, provide self-direction as much as possible and maintain and instill in those participants the idea of aquatic safety.

Scheduling of aquatic programs should be a priority in aquatic facilities. Programs need to have guidance, supervision and a regular schedule in order to be effective. Each scheduled session should be designed to lead any and all skill levels through the activity. Sessions should be under the supervision of a lifeguard, unless the session instructor (or an instructor aide) is a lifeguard and remains on the deck, dock, pier or shore at all times (see Supervision).

Programming should include times and locations for self-directed activities such as recreational swimming and lap swimming. In order to meet the needs of these participants, facilities, equipment and other necessary items should be coordinated and available.

Aquatic sport clubs should also be accommodated. These groups provide competitive and semi-competitive activities for their members. Diving, swimming, synchronized swimming and water polo clubs require facility time, as does rowing, water-skiing and other aquatic sport clubs.

All aquatic programming should provide an opportunity for participants to learn about the water and proper methods to ensure safety when in an aquatic environment.

LEADERSHIP

The aquatic professional must have both knowledge and a thorough understanding of related governmental health and safety codes for the operation and maintenance of aquatic facilities. Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) pertaining to aquatic facilities is also a necessity.

The aquatic professional should possess a current lifeguard, CPR and first aid certificate equivalent to those offered by the American Red Cross, YMCA/YWCA or Ellis and Associates. A Lifeguard Instructor certification should be required of those professionals with the responsibilities of hiring, training and evaluating the lifeguard staff.

Current certification as a Certified Pool/Spa Operator (CPO) offered by the National Swimming Pool Foundation, National Recreation and Park Association (AFO), YMCA/YWCA or equivalent is strongly recommended. These certifications enhance the aquatic professional’s ability to plan and evaluate the minimum standard of care for the health and safety of swimmers and the protection of the aquatic facility.

Lifeguards

One or more lifeguards should be on duty any time the facility is open and available for use. These individuals should be in complete charge and have the authority to enforce all rules and regulations pertaining to safety and sanitation.

Lifeguards should possess a current American Red Cross or equivalent lifeguard certification. The aquatic professional should have on file a current lifeguard, first aid and CPR certification for each guard employed. These should be immediately available to any enforcing agency. Lifeguards should have mature judgment and should be carefully screened and selected. It is strongly recommended that lifeguards be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of employment. They should be capable swimmers, competent in lifesaving methods and able to perform artificial respiration, CPR and basic first aid. Lifeguards should successfully complete an on-site in-service training program at the aquatic facility where they will be working. It is also recommended that lifeguards attend monthly or weekly in-service training programs to prepare and train for actual emergencies.

Lifeguards should wear appropriate swimsuits or uniforms with a distinguishing emblem or design so persons using the aquatic facility may easily identify them.

Lifeguards assigned to patron surveillance should not be subject to other duties that would distract their attention from proper observation and supervision of persons within their area of responsibility or that would prevent immediate assistance for persons in distress, drowning or in need of first aid.

Aquatic Program Instructors

Instructors in any aquatic program should be required to have a current certification in lifeguarding or American Red Cross Community Water Safety Program (or equivalent). Instructors who have this type of certification should be used to supervise their own group activity, due to their lifeguard certification, unless the instructor will to be in the water with the class. In that situation, an additional lifeguard should be required for supervision.

Aqua fitness instructors should have received proper training from an appropriate, recognized agency. Aqua fitness instructors should also have CPR and first aid certifications.

Supervision and Control

Aquatic programming must adhere to health, professional, state, federal and legal requirements in providing activities to patrons.

Aquatic programs should reflect the standards of care of the sponsoring agency. Depending on the types of activities offered, associations and agencies responsible for establishing standards of practice, instruction and care should be consulted prior to establishing a program activity.

In a swimming pool environment, the quality of the water and other factors are controlled directly by respective state health codes. Any state not currently enforcing a state health code for swimming pools (Mississippi is the only exception), is encouraged to follow the guidelines of the National Swimming Pool Foundation or the National Spa and Pool Institute. Otherwise, the required quality of the swimming environment must comply with the state health code (see Environment).

Seeking legal consultation should be done prior to the establishment of the aquatic program activity. Legal consultation on record keeping, legal liability and other items needs to be done on a continuous basis to ensure that changing demands and requirements are met. The participation policies and procedures of the institution should control access to any program. These procedures should also be followed when dealing with any patrons determined to be in a high-risk environment. The appropriate institutional waiver and/or medical screening forms should be utilized. Use of such forms should be considered during any legal consultation.

Individuals involved with instructing or supervising any aquatic program should hold a valid certification from a reputable source of training. Aqua fitness instructors should hold appropriate certifications. Swimming instructors should have a Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certificate or equivalent. Supervision of any activity in an aquatic environment requires the use of a lifeguard. For multiple user facilities, the ratio of lifeguards to swimmers is 1:75.

Personnel and Training

All aquatic staff should be properly trained in order to conduct safe and effective programs for the participants. Aquatic staff is responsible for the health and safety of aquatic program participants at all times. The staff should possess maturity of judgment with demonstrated ability in program and facility management.
 
  

ENVIRONMENT

Aquatic programming must offer an environment that is clean, safe and conducive to participation, as well as meeting the requirements placed upon aquatic facilities.

The construction, maintenance and quality of care provided in an aquatic facility are directly related to the respective state health and safety codes for swimming pools. The aquatic professional should maintain a copy of these codes and the guidelines should be followed in their entirety.

Federal, state and local Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens programs should be considered for all aquatic facilities based on the opportunity for injury and possible contamination of surfaces in an aquatic environment. All aquatic personnel should receive training in these programs. Many states may also require aquatic personnel to have a Hepatitis B vaccination.

The Aquatic facility should be kept clear of all obstructions to patron traffic and allow for respective state fire codes to be upheld. Maintenance inspections should be conducted on a regular basis. Equipment for aquatic facilities should have a proper storage area facility that can be secured.

Lifeguard staff should be given access only to those areas necessary for them to perform their functions. In addition, they should be provided with an environment for rest periods and inclement weather based upon the type of aquatic facility.

Filtration and sanitation areas should be kept clean and all equipment necessary for those areas stored appropriately. Direction of flow markers painted on pipes and valve tagging are recommended to eliminate maintenance mistakes. Only personnel trained to perform such functions should be allowed in these areas.

Chemical storage should be done in compliance with state health and safety codes, as well as with any hazardous materials control group in the area.

The aquatic facility should be in close proximity to a phone or other communication device to summon help immediately. Emergency numbers should be posted near a phone in order to ensure quick and efficient response.

Emergency Action Plans

All members of the aquatic staff should have a facility specific guide for responding to emergencies.

All aquatic facilities should have an Emergency Action Plan. The plan should be in written for and given to each employee as well as posted in an easily accessible location in the aquatic facility. The plan should be specific to each facility and deal with all possible emergencies. Guidelines for such plans can be found in literature by the American Red Cross, YMCA/YWCA and Ellis and Associates.

For more information regarding this topic or other important aquatic issues, click here or contact:

Kurt Carmen
The Ohio Aquatic Council, Ltd.
(614) 262-8987