Lifesaving And Emergency Equipment
No one likes to contemplate the possibility of a water-related accident, but the time you spend this spring preparing lifesaving and emergency equipment may mean a safer summer season.
Legally Responsible
The primary duty of aquatic facility staff is to ensure the health and safety of swimmers. Sadly, accidents will happen. I have been personally involved in several legal issues concerning pool equipment
SMART Pool Operations
Strategy denotes a carefully developed, long-term plan or method of action designed to achieve a winning goal. It makes problems easier to understand and then solve. In aquatic facilities, having a strategy
Spray Park Features
Spray parks--also known as wet playgrounds--are gaining in popularity. They offer safe fun for everyone, including people afraid of the water and those with disabilities, as well as younger children who
Turning The Tide
The camp season is ending, so here are some steps to make sure a dock is preserved and ready when the summer breezes come around next year.
Creating Chemistry
One of the fastest growing segments in the aquatics industry is water park developments that utilize aquatic play features. These are designed for play and recreation with shallower depths, high-moving water velocities, aerating pumps and special effects, such as sprays, misters and waterfalls. Although some may consider these swimming-pool environments, there are unique differences in the way in which the water quality is managed.
Troubleshooting Filters
No matter how much care is taken to operate a filtration system at its peak performance, there are times when the pool operator witnesses changes in water clarity. Additionally, the ability to see the main drain at all times is critical to safety, and is mandatory in all pool codes and regulations.
Electrolytic Chlorine Generators
The growing use of Electrolytic Chlorine Generators (ECGs) in the public-pool sector is not a fad but a trend--one that has been spurred on by pool operators who have become
Testing The Waters
Dear Camp Director:
“I am sending you my most precious possession, my child. For the next two weeks, my son's health and safety will be placed in the hands of a complete stranger at your camp.
Echockotee Dives In To Aquatics Camp
The Aquatics Camp at Camp Echockotee in Orange Park, Fla., is leaping in headfirst to educate campers as well as show them how much fun a little H2O can provide.
Are Your Lifeguards Adequately Trained?
Although it has been longer than I care to admit, I still remember the first time I obtained American Red Cross lifeguarding certification. Sitting on the edge of the high-school pool in
Six Lessons Lifeguards Must Learn
Directors at camps and other youth programs work hard to staff pools and waterfronts with certified lifeguards. That’s a good start, but to prevent accidents and to run a top-notch
Pooling Resources
The buzz about energy conservation has come to life with the green movement, and industries and organizations are doing more than just talking about it. The rising fuel and energy costs over the past several years--combined with a growing awareness of the need for renewable energy sources--have stirred many to take action.
Alternative Adventures
At our summer day camp for children ages 5 to 12, we have had great success with inflatable water slides and obstacle courses to increase program activities without spending big money on new
Skimming The Surface
Campers gather on the beach. Odyssey Expeditions isn’t the traditional overnight camp for children. This summer camp puts its students out on the sea to learn first-hand what it means to be a seaman.
Reap The Benefits
An important component of a successful sailing program is a structured awards system. Although some camps hesitate to implement a program in which not all campers receive recognition, the benefits outweigh the negatives.
Safe Sailing
Sailing-related injuries at camp—and in junior sailing in general—are rare; however, when accidents do occur, the results can be serious and even deadly. Too often, camps invest heavily in lifeguard training for sailing staff members, but neglect the type of training needed to prepare instructors to operate powerboats in close quarters to kids in sailboats.
Keep The Sun At Bay
It wasn’t until recently that sunscreen became a staple in the parks and recreation lexicon.
Lifeguard Adventure Challenge
Training lifeguards is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. Following the same training procedures year in and year out as outlined by a certification body can be difficult, but there is another
Hiring Lifeguards
As the warm weather approaches, camp administrators are probably considering hiring lifeguards for summer pool and aquatic activities.