Normal & Emergency actions

The following information is about the normal conditions for use of the pool and what to do if the alarms go off, depending where you are in the building.

Please take the time to make sure that you and your child know what to do - but the first thing is always - stay calm!

See the bottom of the page for EMERGENCY ACTION

General Information

Lifeguard duties: The key tasks of a lifeguard on poolside are to:

- Keep a close watch over the pool and the pool users, exercising the appropriate level of control

- Supervise diving or other pool equipment when allocated to these duties

- Carry out rescues and initiate other emergency action, as and when necessary

- Give emergency First Aid in the event of injury to the bather or other emergency

- Communicate with bathers (and with other lifeguards on duty) to fulfil the above tasks (Taken from Thanet Leisure Force NOP revised 4/12/2001)

It is always the case that the pool side staff are responsible for the management of (such) incidents and coaches and teachers are responsible for their class

No matter who is in the pool, the Lifeguards on poolside duty are in control of the pool, the poolside and everybody there

(Both taken from Thanet Leisure Force NOP revised 4/12/2001, page 18)

Teaching Pool: depth 0.35m at the shallow end and has a continual gradient to the deep end, which is 0.75m in depth. The pool has two sets of wide steps with rails and a set of removable steel steps at each corner of the deep end. The pool is 7m wide and 12m long.

Main Pool: depth 0.9m at the shallow end and there is a continual gradient up to 1.8m then there is a steep slope to the deepest part of the pool which is 3m in depth. In the Main Pool there are 3 sets of removable steps. It is 25m in length and 12.5m wide.

Use on poolside of video cameras/cameras/mobile phones to capture images: Thanet Leisure Force does NOT allow any use of recording equipment. Please report any use to a member of their staff immediately.

Bather loads: Main Pool 104 persons, Teaching Pool 28 persons

This may change according to the activities taking place and is at the Duty Mangers discretion.

Club responsibilities

v Remember to keep your Institute of Sport membership up to date this will act as your personal insurance in case of any claims against you as an individual

v Full Teachers/Level 2 Teachers are responsible for the activities of Assistant Teachers/Level 1 Teachers and Poolside Helpers another reason to keep your insurance up to date

v The main register must be correctly taken at the beginning of each session in the Main Pool

v The appropriate Level registers must be correctly taken at the beginning of each session in the Teaching Pool

v Teachers have the responsibility to ensure that a correct register has been taken for their group before the group are taken up from the bench

v A physical head count of swimmers must take place against the number in the main register in the Main Pool and the amount must be the same before the session can start

v Teachers have the responsibility for knowing the names of the lifeguards in case of the need to call for assistance urgently

v Teachers and helpers must keep a regular head count throughout the lesson

v Teachers must insist that children leaving the pool before the end of the lesson (for instance to be picked up, go to the toilet, feeling unwell) MUST tell the teacher before leaving poolside and bring to the teachers attention that they are back in the group on their return

v In the event of a minimum amount of qualified teachers available for any session, volunteers must be sought from parents, other Club representatives, etc to assist in keeping a head count throughout the session

v Level 1/Assistant Teachers may only teach under the supervision of a Level 2 Teacher and within the proscribed numbers of their qualification

v Poolside Helpers are the responsibility of the teacher of the group that they are assigned to.

Rules for the inflatable (Splash) sessions

v The Lifeguards are in charge and their instructions must be complied with for the safety of everyone

v Swimmers must be able to swim 50m confidently and competently to use the large inflatable island in the Main Pool

v If you are not sure if a child can swim 50m, ALWAYS check by carrying out a water test to make sure

v The Lifeguards will decide how many swimmers may be on the inflatable at any time

v Swimmers are expected to safely wait in line until it is their turn on the inflatable

v Parents with small children must supervise them at all times it is not the responsibility of the Teachers to do this

v Behaviour must be safe at all times

v No standing on floats

v Numbers may be restricted

v If the lifeguards decide that swimmers are not behaving in an appropriate, safe manner, they may take the inflatable out and end the session

Club Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

Prevention is always better than having to react. Make sure that you know what your group are capable of, and carry out water tests on new swimmers if you need to. Make sure that the pool is empty of swimmers between sessions, i.e. after one group has got out and before the next one gets in, and after the end of the last session.

In the event that a swimmer in your group gets into difficulties, you should:

v Remain calm

v Keep control of your group and make sure they keep calm

v If you feel confident enough and it is possible to do this without endangering the rest of the group, carry out a verbal or reach or throw rescue

v If you are NOT confident in this or if the incident is more serious, bring it to the lifeguards attention IMMEDIATELY, by shouting HELP or Lifeguard or their name

v It is NOT your responsibility to go into the water to assist a casualty that is the job of the lifeguard who will be expecting to do so

v It IS your responsibility to ensure that the rest of your group and you are safe and calm

v Once the lifeguard is aware of the situation, they will deal with it

v Remain calm and in control of the remainder of your group

v Once the incident has been dealt with safely, reassure the swimmers and the casualty

v Complete the clubs Accident Book that is kept in the plastic box on poolside, and any other documentation that the lifeguard asks you to

v Take a short break if you need to

The general alarm for a fire or another emergency is a two-tone continuous loud noise on poolside.

In the event of there being only 2 TLF employees on the premises, Club representatives may be given a task such as to check that the changing rooms are clear of swimmers.

If you are asked to do this, you MUST FIRST check that any swimmers under your supervision on poolside have been handed into the control of another competent Club representative.

Emergency exits are located:

v In the Reception area onto the front of the building

v Through the double doors halfway along the corridor to the changing rooms, leading out onto the field at the rear of the building

v Through the Pavilion at the far end of the changing room corridor, leading out onto the field at the rear of the building

v At the deep end of the Teaching Pool, leading out into the car park at the front of the building

v At the deep end of the Main Pool, leading out to the area to the side of the building

If you are poolside

In the event of an emergency alarm being sounded:

v Keep yourself and your swimmers calm

v Teachers should get their swimmers out of the water immediately upon the emergency signal being sounded

v Check that all swimmers are clear of the water and carry out a check in the register and head count

v Do not allow swimmers to leave poolside to collect belongings or to meet family unless told that it is safe to do so by Thanet Leisure Force staff

v Stay with your group and keep calm and in control

v Await further instructions from Thanet Leisure Force staff

If you are in the changing rooms

In the event of an emergency alarm being sounded:

v Thanet Leisure Force staff take responsibility for the evacuation of the building

v Persons in the changing rooms will be directed by Thanet Leisure Force staff (or delegate this to a Club representative) to the nearest safe exit

v NO persons shall leave the changing rooms by a route other than that directed by Thanet Leisure Force staff or a Club representative acting on their behalf

v Do not stop to collect belongings or other items

If you are in Reception

In the event of an emergency alarm being sounded:

v People should evacuate the building by the nearest safe route as instructed by Thanet Leisure Force staff