Section 1- Element 1 Flashcards
What 7 things do lifeguards fulfil their role of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for swimmers?
1- Maintain a positive attitude 2- Being professional 3- Maintaining observation 4- Providing good supervision 5- Early intervention 6- Accident prevention 7- Rescue
What is the role of a lifeguard?
Maintain a safe and healthy environment for swimmers
Example of the responsibilities as a lifeguard
Take reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and others.
Example of the responsibilities of a pool operator
Protect the health, safety and welfare of the employees at work, and also members of the public using their premises.
Example of when a lifeguard may be held accountable for their actions
When they have carried out a rescue without following the Pool Safety Operating Procedures, including the EAP and NOP
Example of how the law can impact on the role of a lifeguard
Must ensure they follow all procedures (NOP and EAP) correctly as the consequences can include fines or sentences.
How do Acts, Regulations and Industry Guidance impact the role of the pool operator?
Ensuring all employees are caring out all safety procedures and guidance set out maintaining the safe environment for customers. For example; COSHH and PPE
What is the purpose of a risk assessment?
Any potential risks must be evaluated then implement a change in the NOP to decrease the risk causing accidents.
When using chemicals or hazardous substances, what should the employer provide?
The two regulations; COSHH and PPE ensures all employees are provided with equipment or items of clothing, being used as control measures, to prevent risk of harm to employee or customers
Give an example of signage and when and where it would be used?
No diving sign
Used in water depths below 1.5m
Placed in all pools that have depths further than that
Also in wave pools, this is an important sign as the depths of a wave pool is always changing
Why is maintaing standards so important as a lifeguard?
Failure to maintain the highest possible standards can compromise safety standards and potentially put people in danger with possible fatal consequences- You are personally responsible for maintaining standards as the safety of others are in your hands.
Why is team work so important?
It is essential you can work well with your lifeguarding team because a well-trained team is more effective than the individual work of one lifeguard alone
Why is uniform important?
It is important that lifeguards are easily recognisable in an emergency so the public know who to seek help from is an incident is developing.
General principles of dealing with customer comments and complaints
Listen carefully without interruption Ask questions to receive full details of the event Be sympathetic with patronising Apologise without blaming anyone Polite, positive, professional
What considerations must the lifeguard take when a complaint is given to them whilst they are supervising the pool?
The must ensure their site of the pool is still intact
Call through for somebody else to come and guard the pool whilst they deal with the complaint themselves- Ensuring the safety of the pool is not compromised when fulfilling the customers needs
How should a lifeguard act, behave and appear to ensure customers maintain a positive perception of the lifeguard and team?
Positive, polite, professional, dress smart and presentably
Give examples of what a pool operator should provide when you start your employment and why?
Uniform- You are recognisable to the public
Rota of work- Ensuring you are aware of your working hours
Job description- You fully understand your job requirements. Although many centres are the same it may vary slightly from centre-to-centre
Examples of what will be included in your induction
Full induction to the PSOP
Further site specific training
Poolside systems so you are fully aware of poolside arrangements before working alone.
Why is ongoing training important?
Maintaining knowledge and understanding of your training. Keeping a competent level of standard.
Remaining up to date and informed of any changes to the PSOP
Why is it important the pool operator records any training?
Evidence of training hours and that your qualification is renewed
Your knowledge and understanding of your job and centre is competent.
Examples of what the PSOP includes
NOP- Normal Operating Procedures
EAP- Emergency Action Plan
What is safeguarding and what might the pool operator put in place and why?
Organisation working with children and any vulnerable being taking all reasonable measures to ensure their wellbeing and risk of harm to their welfare is minimised.
Many centres have a ‘No photography’ rule. Disabling the perhaps harmless use of a camera, reduces the risk of vulnerable people and children being photographed without their agreement.
What may be covered in an equality and diversity policy?
No race, gender, age, religion, culture, ethnicity discrimation
What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how it can effect an individual?
Physical and physiological condition that is caused by a very distressing or frightening event such as a rescue in a swimming pool.
It can effect both the casualty and rescuer by lack of concentration and sleep and feeling isolated
