Preventative lifeguarding

UNSAFE PRACTICES or potential problems TO WATCH FOR:

"Gutter crawlers," "creepers" or "wall walking" "rope holders" weak swimmers traveling from shallow water to deep water by holding onto the wall, gutter, overflow trough or lane line, or just non-swimmers feeling bold

Corner 'swimmers' are people who can't really swim well and take a big breath near a corner in deep water and try to kick, glide or swim across the corner. Across a short corner they may be successful. But as they gain confidence they try a farther distance than they can hold their breath for or can get off course and not make it to the corner. They will be actively drowning inches from the side.

Non-swimmers bouncing from shallow water toward deeper water

Non-swimmers tip-toeing in almost-too-deep-for-them water

Poor swimmers with ineffective strokes, (arms that do not reach out of the water on the freestyle recovery, or slap straight-armed on entry, for example) or weak strokes that do not propel them far, who stand up frequently (and especially are near a drop off). Especially watch anyone moving from a horizontal to vertical posistion.

Swimming under water alongside the wall (where a patron might be hit by someone who does not see him or her and jumps into the water)

Placing legs or arms through the rungs of ladders, trying to swim behind ladders or ladder "gymnastics" (keep a snorkel handy if the ladder can't be easily removed in case they get stuck).

and keep a little soap to get them unstuck from gutters

Little sibling playing with older child. Older one may lose interest and abandon or not watch the younger one.

Too many kids clinging to one innertube.

Anyone at a waterfront depending on an inflatable device, especailly when wind can take them out farther than they want. Kids playing with inflatables can get in over their heads when wind picks up their toy and carries it away from the shore and they go after it.

Patrons as they first arrive may be overconfident and jump into water depth they are not skilled enough for.

People who use slides are generally less competent than diving board users. Many do not realize if the water under the board is deeper than they are tall.

If your pool allows small tubes for kids with parents accompanying them, be aware they overturn easily.

If your pool allows water wings, be aware that they can cause parents and kids to become overconfident and that they can slip up to the child's wrists, effectively holding the child underwater.

Watch runners and 'fast walkers' extra at corners that can get wet and slippery.

Pushing heads underwater

When a crowd gathers it often means unusual, perhaps dangerous activity, or an accident/sudden illness

Swimmers with hair in their faces/eyes that they do not move away because they don't have enough swimming skill to keep swimming and do so

From a City of Santa Clara, California, manual: areas where most accidents occur:

- shallow water where non-swimmers are located

- drop off point, where shallow water gets suddenly deeper

- areas close to side of pool

- areas near ladders (both to boards and from pool)

- deck area at shallow end

- area under boards (no swimming under boards)

- shower area

- directly under lifeguard stand

- black lines on pool bottom

from 2001 City of Cupertino, California, manual:

"Preventative guarding is the key. Yelling "no diving," may get tiresome, but doing a backboard rescue is worse. Anticipate dangerous situations and prevent problems."

"Be aggressive and consistent. Assume control and never relinquish it. Be strict and never let down. Your job is important and you must maintain your authority."

"When disciplining a patron, please keep the following in mind:

1. Do not become involved in verbal or physical battles.

2. Remain polite, yet be assertive and confident in your decision.

3. If the patron will not comply with your decision and will not leave, call the pool manager for assistance.

4. Be consistent when enforcing rules and taking disciplinary action."

The following is from the 2001 City of Cupertino manual and is an almost exact copy of material from a past City of Sunnyvale, California, manual.

The disciplinary action for minor infractions depends on the patron's age.

1. Children (12 or under)

      a. First violation: verbal warning.

      b. Second violation: sit on the deck for five minutes and inform the of potential removal.

      c. Third violation: removal for the day.

2. Teenagers and adults (13 and older)

      a. First violation: verbal warning and if appropriate, inform them of potential removal.

      b. Second violation: removal for the day.

Minor violations are as follows:

    1. Pushing and shoving

    2. Unnecessary splashing

    3. Running on deck and/or in the locker rooms

    4. Diving in non-diving areas

    5. Jumping and/or diving in backwards

    6. More than one bounce on board

    7. Swimming in diving area, except during designated times

    8. Leaving diving area in wrong direction

    9. Towel snapping

    10. Not leaving pool when ordered to do so by staff

    11. Splashing guard

    12. Smoking on the pool deck and/or locker rooms

The disciplinary action regarding major violations is the same for all age groups the patron will be removed for the day.

Major violations are as follows:

    1. Fighting

    2. Profanity

    3. Molesting children or teenagers*

    4. Dangerous diving

    5. Use of diving boards which have been declared off-limits

    6. Re-entering pool after being removed for the day

    7. Use of drugs*

    8. Harassing lifeguards

    9. Pushing lifeguards in pool

    10. Intoxication*

*When molestation, use of drugs, or intoxication occurs, the management will contact the necessary authorities (911). Staff must not make any allegations or statements until asked to do so by law enforcement personnel. An irrational accusation could result in a law suit. The agency will not be responsible for staff members who conduct themselves improperly.

Patrons who must be consistently removed from public swim for the day are termed "chronic violators." A record of each patron's name, phone number, and reason for dismissal is kept in the office. Each dismissal must be made by the pool manager at the time it occurs.

Disciplinary action for "chronic violators" is as follows:

    1. First and second violations: removal for the day only

    2. Third violation: removal for one week**

    3. Fourth violation: removal for remainder of the summer**

**This should be recorded on an incident report and submitted to the aquatics coordinator at once.

A collection of pool rules to choose from is at:

pool rules: attire, health and sanitation

spas rules

pool rules concerning children

diving board and slide rules

general pool rules

(Yes, we had some fun with this).

As a head guard or lifeguard manager, which would you choose as a motto for your lifeguards / pool staff?

A) Primun non nocere     (Hippocratic oath)

B) Caveat emptor

C) Interfice errorem, diligere errantem

D) Fac ut gaudeam

E) Castigat ridendo mores

F) Oderint dum metuant    (Caligula (the emperor and the British ship of the line in Captain Hornblower, R.N. by C.S. Forester))

G) Opus: quod fiere non potest

Primun non nocere     the first thing is to do no harm (Hippocratic oath)

Caveat emptor     buyer beware ( he buys at his own risk)

Interfice errorem, diligere errantem     kill the sin, love the sinner

Fac ut gaudeam     make my day

Castigat ridendo mores     laughter succeeds where lecturing won't...or...only laughter corrects men's manners/morals

Oderint dum metuant     let them hate as long as they fear

Opus: quod fiere non potest     Mission: Impossible