element 1 Flashcards
5 attributes of a lifeguard
- Strong communicator
- Good listener
- Positive attitude
- Excellent team player
- Able to lead others
- Proactive and able to anticipate problems
- Extremely observant
- Quick thinker
- Calm in all situations
- Knowledgeable about your swimming pool
- Friendly and respectful to customers Helpful and responsive to customers
When communicating with customers give 3 ways you should behave
- Safe pool environment
- Fewer accidents
- Happy customers
- Improved customer retention
- Increases in income for the centre
What does the COSHH regulation relate to?
COSHH is the regulation that requires employers to control (manage potential risks) from substances that are hazardous to health. In a swimming pool environment you are likely to come into contact with chemicals relating to the pool itself or cleaning chemicals.
Having identified these risks and measures, to prevent you from harm, your employer will have put in place procedures which you have a duty to follow. These measures might include wearing protective equipment or supplying safety data sheets.
The Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals.
What do the PPE regulations relate to?
These Regulations require you to use, wear, store, and clean personal protective equipment that you are provided with.
You should also report any defect to your line manager.
Why is teamwork essential?
Working in a leisure centre, teamwork is essential and you must not only be able to work well with members of the lifeguard team, but also other members of staff within the facility e.g. reception, gym, swimming teachers or management staff.
A well-trained team is more effective than a lifeguard would be if they were working as an individual.
Having other well-trained staff on hand is essential, not only in an emergency but for the normal day-to-day operation of the pool environment. Knowing that you have a well trained team to back you up gives you confidence that you can enter the water and put a casualty first during a rescue.
It is also important that there is consistency within the lifeguard team in the way that pool rules and supervision of swimmers is applied to avoid inconsistencies.
Why should Lifeguards wear uniform?
Lifeguards not only need to be competent and qualified, they also need the correct kit including a uniform, whistle, basic first aid equipment and in most lifeguarding situations have a suitable rescue aid for immediate action in an emergency, i.e. a torpedo buoy.
Uniform should not hinder a lifeguard in a rescue situation.
Shorts and t-shirt are a suitable uniform, and red and yellow colours - (the internationally recognised colours for lifeguards), are commonly used. It is important that lifeguards are easily recognisable in an emergency so the public know who to call for if an incident is developing.
Uniform is provided by your pool operator and will be issued to you as part of the induction to the job.
As a lifeguard, being smart and presentable is an important part of maintaining standards and giving the right impression to swimmers and members of the public.
How would you deal with a customer complaint?
When dealing with a complaint, be open, sympathetic and follow the general points below:
* Listen carefully without interruption to ensure you get the full details
* Ask questions to get more detailed information that might help you to reach a solution Be sympathetic but not patronising
* Recap the issue to show that you have listened and understood the reason for the complaint
* Apologise without apportioning blame even if the issue was not your fault
* Explain the action you are going to take, how and when
* Where appropriate, check that any promised action has been carried out
* Remember to always be polite, positive and professional
give 5 examples of poor or unprofessional lifeguard activity:
Below are some examples of poor and unprofessional lifeguard activity:
- Lack of respect for customers and staff
- Talking to public or staff unnecessarily whilst supervising the pool
- Being distracted by public or staff unnecessarily whilst supervising the pool
- Using any personal device such as a mobile phone or smart watch
- Chewing gum or eating whilst on poolside
- Untidy and poorly presented uniform
- Not standing or sitting in the appropriate place
- Poor body language
- Coming into work tired or hungover from the night before
Why is ongoing training important?
- Maintaining physical fitness
- It is important to remain competent as a lifeguard, this includes your physical fitness. As part of your NPLQ assessment you will be required to complete a fitness test, your Operator may include this test regularly in ongoing training to ensure you remain competent.
- You will want to be confident, that should you need to take action and perform a rescue, you will be able to do so.
- You can maintain your fitness by swimming regularly, just once or twice a week.
What is a PSOP?
Pool Safety Operating Procedures - PSOP
Give 4 headings you may find in a NOP?
- Alarm systems: Systems used in the building to alert help, such as pool emergency alarm, fire alarm, accessible changing room/ toilet alarm, plant room alarm. The location of alarms will be detailed Emergency equipment
- Equipment in the building that may be used in an emergency, including the location Details of the pool(s)
- Key information such as dimensions, depth, location of safety signage
- Pool equipment and features
- Any equipment and features that are available in and around the pool. This may include flumes, lazy rivers,
- Maximum bather load/ occupancy
- Number or people permitted to use each pool, this would include per session as some sessions will permit more or less depending on the type of activity and equipment used
- Control of access/admission: How access to the pool(s) will be managed, how to prevent access when it is intended to be closed and how admission to the pool is managed
give 4 headings you may find in an EAP?
- Overcrowding
- Disorderly behaviour (including violence to staff)
- Lack of water clarity
- Broken glass in the pool
- Emission of toxic gases/ chemicals)
- Outbreak of fire
- Controlled or partial building evacuation
- Bomb threat/ terrorism threat /discovery of suspicious packages
- Lighting failure
- Electrical failure
- Structural failure
- Serious injury to a swimming pool user
What is Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological and physical condition that is caused by a very frightening or distressing event such as an emergency in a swimming pool. It occurs in up to 30% of people who experience or witness traumatic events.
