Aquatics Guide - 2019 - 22

facilities forego simulating turbulence and line-of-sight obstructions
altogether and submerge manikins
or silhouettes in quiescent pools.
These approaches skew testing results and often cause lifeguards to
be assigned zones that are too large,
or to be positioned in stands that are
too low to allow adequate visibility
when scanning.
In addition to turbulence and lineof-sight obstructions, lifeguards face
challenges caused by glare and shadows cast across the water's surface.
The Model Aquatic Health Code
(MAHC) states:
A
5.6.1.2.1.1
Lifeguard Positions If the AQUATIC VENUE
requires lifeguards, the AQUATIC
FACILITY owner shall ensure that
glare conditions are assessed from
each lifeguard position as identified in the Zone of Patron Surveillance to determine if the AQUATIC VENUE bottom and objects
in the POOL are clearly visible to
QUALIFIED LIFEGUARD staff
throughout operating hours per
MAHC 6.3.3.1.1. (emphasis added)
What are aquatic facility operators,
who are committed to the success of
their lifeguarding team and dedicated
to complying with the MAHC, supposed to do when testing with manikins and/or silhouettes during operating hours upsets patrons?
A simple, scientific solution to this
problem exists.
Since refraction causes submerged

bodies to break apart, lifeguards are
taught to look for blotches, rather
than bodies, at the bottom of the
pool while scanning. This means
that testing devices do not need to be
life-like in shape. They do, however,
need to be life-like in size.
The smallest person likely to
drown in a public pool is a toddler.
Based on investigations of drowning incidents, as some children submerge, they tuck into a fetal position,
decreasing their size. Therefore, the
smallest victim a lifeguard must be
able to see is the size of a toddler in
a fetal position.
Scientific tools were developed
that anthropometrically represent a
toddler in the fetal position (length,
width and height) without looking
like a submerged child. These tools,
named ANGELS™ devices, have
wings that float upright to provide a
three-dimensional target for testing,
but compress easily and safely when
patrons step on the testing device.
For further information, visit www.
SafetyThroughScience.com.
Photographs taken during scientific testing demonstrate why proper
positioning of lifeguards is so critical.
The images below were captured simultaneously and demonstrate what
is visible to a lifeguard based on elevation above the water surface.
Fear of lifeguards jumping off
high stands into shallow water has
led to increased use of low lifeguard
chairs at aquatic facilities. While

Note how
visibility of
the victim
under water
changes.

Parks & Recreation

lifeguard safety is vitally important,
so is the need to position lifeguards
where they are able to clearly see
and identify patron activity in their
zone of surveillance.
Lifeguard zones should be evaluated at various times throughout
the day, under different loading
and lighting conditions. MAHC
5.6.1.2.1.1 addresses glare, but
aquatic facility operators must also
position lifeguards where obstructions, such as lane ropes and water features, don't hinder visibility.
Since lifeguards must be able to
identify patrons in need of rescue, it
is incumbent upon lifeguard managers to test each zone of surveillance
using a reliable process.
Lifeguards are often blamed when
a drowning victim is not recognized
in a timely manner, but management
is responsible for the training, staffing and positioning of lifeguards.
This is not a new concept. In its
2007 Lifeguard Management manual,
the American Red Cross states:
The facility manager and lifeguard
supervisor establish each lifeguard's
area of responsibility for patron surveillance.
Lifeguards have a critically important duty that can only be accomplished when management
ensures that lifeguards are properly
positioned and adequately trained
to search every cubic foot of water
in their assigned zone of patron surveillance.
By performing scientific testing of
surveillance zones and consistently
reinforcing effective scanning skills,
aquatic facility managers help their
lifeguards to succeed.

Maria Bella is an Aquatic Facility Operator
Instructor Trainer for Aqua Conscience
(mbella@aqua-conscience.com).

| A Q U AT I C S G U I D E 2 0 1 9 | W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G

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Aquatics Guide - 2019

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