element 2 Flashcards
What information would be found in the NOP section - Details of the Pool?
WHAT A LIFEGUARD NEEDS TO KNOW:
* Dimensions of the pool(s) - customers will often ask, especially those that want to swim a certain distance (a mile, 25m etc.)
* Water depth in all areas and changes in water depth - this is important to understand when users may not be able to stand
* Correct use of equipment by pool users
* Location of all emergency equipment
* Location of other pool equipment
What features might a leisure pool contain?
Leisure pools can be irregular shaped and may include the following features:
* Wave pool
* Play equipment
* Water jets, fountains and mushrooms
* Lazy river and river runs
* Flumes and slides
* Beach areas
why can leisure pools be some of the most challenging environments for lifeguards to supervise?
Leisure pools can prove to be some of the most challenging environments for lifeguards to supervise. Due to the design and features within many leisure pools, the levels of supervision required may be increased as hazards are potentially greater due to the nature of the environment.
What is a dynamic risk assessment?
A dynamic risk assessment is a practice of observing, assessing, and analysing an environment while we work, to identify and remove risk. The process allows individuals to identify a hazard on the spot and make quick decisions in regard to their own safety and that of others.
What control measure can be used to prevent a non-swimmer entering deep water?
- Control Measure by a Lifeguard
- Lifeguard intervention:
- Close supervision of the entry point is required to ensure that weak and non-swimmers do not enter the feature.
- Look out for individuals who stop in the features as this can cause collisions and swimmers need to be encouraged to keep moving.
- If the feature exit is into deep water, lifeguards need to pay particular attention to weak and non-swimmers finding themselves out of their depth.
- As always, know the hazards and be prepared to give specific advice and instructions where necessary. Do not allow jumping or diving into the flow and remain alert when supervising flowing water.
- Remove inflatables or mat from the water when not in use.
what control measure can be used to prevent slipping on wet floors?
The control measure is to put a yellow wet floor sign on the wet area to prevent people from slipping.
what hazard is related to drain covers and outlet grills within a swimming pool?
Swimming Pool Hazard
* Entrapment.
* Pool outlets, drain covers and the outlets from some water features have caused a number of very serious accidents due to the suction, entrapment or hair being caught in the grate.
Give 3 hazards relating to wave features:
Swimming Pool Hazard- waves
* Disorientation, particularly in weaker swimmers.
* Force of the waves can knock swimmers off balance.
* Reduced visibility caused by turbulence and swimmer density.
* Influx of swimmers when waves are activated.
* Changes in water depth.
* Wave chamber outlets.
What instructions may Lifeguards give to customers when supervising a flume?
Lifeguards to communicate and instruct swimmers to:
* Queue safely
* Ride the flume as per rules
* Remove dangerous jewellery
* Begin ride when safe to do so to avoid collisions
* Vacate flume exit immediately to avoid collision
Give some examples of higher risk swimmers:
Higher risk swimmers
Some categories of swimmer do present a higher than normal risk, both to themselves and to others in the water.
Watch out for higher risk groups that include:
* Weak or vulnerable swimmers
* Show-offs or particularly boisterous or rowdy swimmers
* Swimmers wearing armbands or other buoyancy aids
* Children not accompanied by an adult
‘Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools’ recommends that children under a certain age should be supervised, what is the age?
Under 8 years old.
Give 5 Task and Activity hazards that may occur in a swimming pool:
Activity Hazard
* Running dives
* Diving sideways
* Diving when pool is crowded
* Backwards dives
* Somersault entries
* Dives without hands in front of head
What should a Lifeguard do if customers are fighting in the swimming pool?
Lifeguard intervention:
- Intervene and stop immediately any fighting or bullying.
Other measures:
- Team members, supervisor or manager should be called for extra support if required
