The general lightning safety recommendations associated with all swimming pools (e.g., 30 second- 30 minute rule; avoiding plumbing or electrical circuits), are supported mainly by expert opinions which fall within scientific review Class IV - no convincing scientific evidence is available but is 16 0 obj Picnic shelters, dugouts and sheds are NOT safe. Lightning has been observed in indoor pools, causing injuries and electrical damage. Stop counting at the sound of related thunder. Identify the closest safe locations before the beginning of the season, and consider posting signs that promote lightning safety and indicate locations that provide protection from lightning. Summer is the peak season for outdoor and water-related activities, and when most lightning deaths and injuries occur. The problem with closing indoor swimming pools during electrical storms is that this policy places people at greater risk by removing them from the safe confines of swimming pools and placing them in unprotected areas like on phones, in showers, outdoors and in cars where electrical storms have killed people. Depending on the attendance levels and the proximity of adequate shelter, a larger radius of lightning may be prudent to provide time to prepare. YXR1cmUiOiIxMTk3ZjFjNThhYjg0MWNmN2ZiNDA0ZjM3ZjlmODkxYzgyNTcx YjA1YmIxMTEyYjA4ZTNmNDBjZGY2NjUxYzMxZTAwOTY0YTJkOTVmZGE2MWI3 NDIzM2E1MjkwN2MyMGNkYWVmMzBmYWI4ZTZjYjVjMmZkMDBmNDM3ZjQ4MjM3 Identify means to communicate with and notify staff and patrons. If you are driving, try to safely exit the roadway and park. MmVkZjZhOTgyZWFhMzcxMjdkMmQ1ZTM5OGIzZThmYTVlNTdhOWJkMzJiZmEx Loitering within or on the grounds of the YMCA. MTY0OWI2MWFkODJmYzA2ZDI1MmVjNzAyM2FkYTY4NmE2Y2Q3OGM3MzJhYjgz When a class is cancelled due to low enrollment, we will make every effort to accommodate your needs. If you are caught in an open area, Do NOT lie down. Members sharing cards with others may have their membership terminated. endobj There are no documented reports of fatal lightning strikes at indoor swimming pools. Improve your swimming skills and learn how to prevent drownings and how to make safe rescues by taking a Red Cross Swim Course. Our mission, as Aquatic Risk Managers, is to reduce and warn against potential risks. This is potentially because organizations policies are to clear the pools. The decision to close indoor swimming pools during these storms is based on irrational fears rather than objective facts. All guests must complete and sign the liability waiver prior to their visit. 1) ZERO CASES. This information is compared to the national database of registered sexual offenders. Never lie flat on the ground. NzUyNzUyZjcyMDdjYWQxZTZmMDJiNzk4NWUxMTAwYWNiMTg1YzQ4N2ZjMTI1 Watch for signs of a storm, like darkening skies, lightning flashes or increasing wind. Dont drain the pool (if its not prime swimming season); this will help avoid any damage to the shell itself. If you are in a forest, shelter near lower trees. The United States Lifesaving Association NTVhM2Q4ZTliMTAyZDZhMDBmMjgxNDVjZWZlYTc5NzFhNTI2YjE4NGI0OTc1 If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger from lightning. MDBmZTc2YWNmMWEwYTA0OTZlMjMwZTVmNzk4YjM1YTllNjgxMDZmNTc1ZjE0 Even with no lightning in clear sight, its best to err on the side of safety. It is generally recommended that patrons be notified (or evacuated based on the emergency action plan) and staff take shelter when thunderstorms move within 10 miles. At the YMCA you are not just a member; youre part of our family. Never shelter under an isolated tree. No injuries or deaths due to electrocutions in pools and spas were identified in 2018. %%EOF In fact, in most places, insurance companies and home inspections require some sort of pool barrier. Hot tubs should not exceed 104 F or 40 C and are not recommended for pregnant women, toddlers or infants. One way the YMCA practices a safe environment is to close swimming pools during severe weather such as thunder and lightning. Recreational waters are inherently risky. Yjg2M2ViMDgyM2I5ZGE1NWExNWY1Mjc3Y2JjNjBhNDQ4MDRiNGYyYmZjNjJk The Canadian Red Cross takes your privacy seriously. Suspend all pool activities until 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder was heard. If you believe Wordfence should be allowing you access to this site, please let them know using the steps below so they can investigate why this is happening. The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Community Project Funding Is Essential for Park Projects, Choosing a Career in Parks and Recreation, Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) Certification, Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Certification, Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) Certification, Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) Certification, Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP), Proclaim July as Park and Recreation Month In Your Community, NRPA Innovation Labs: Sponsorship Opportunities, Lightning Safety for People at Swimming Pools Revised and Updated December 2015, National Athletic Trainers Association Position Statement: Lightning Safety for Athletics and Recreation, Lightning Safety and Outdoor Sports Activities. Aside from these general precautions, you can also purchase a lightning monitor or use a lightning map to see how close the storm is. Most often, children who drown do so in a pool when a caregiver is not paying attention, if only for a second. To us, lightning strikes are akin to shark attacks. Determine the distance of lightning from a location by using the "flash-to-bang rule. Your access to this site was blocked by Wordfence, a security provider, who protects sites from malicious activity. References in support of clearing indoor pools during lightning storms: National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), 22377 Belmont Ridge Rd Ashburn, VA 20148-4501 PH: 800.626.NRPA (6772), Contact Us Press Inquiries Privacy Policy. Entry on YMCA property in violation of this prohibition is expressly forbidden and will result in the individual being directed to remove the weapon immediately from YMCA property. Guests will also be registered in the membership software and have their picture taken and saved to their guest account. The weather watcher has primary, but not sole, responsibility for observation of and updates on weather conditions. However, when electrical storms approach, too many close their indoor swimming pools. Build a fence (recommended at least 1.2 m in height, with gaps no larger than 10 cm) that has a self-closing and self-latching gate; keep the gate closed with restricted access at all times. ZmM0NzM4ZDQxMzExZWE5ZWQ5YTczNWVlNzVlOWI3YjVkMDk3OGJmYTM2NzFl ODRhNThlZmU5Nzg2Y2UzZjA2MTUxZGQ5ODE5MzFiZjUwNWJlN2Q3ZDk5Mzc3 Know how the COVID-19 pandemic can affect disaster preparedness and recovery, and what you can do to keep yourself and others safe. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. Swimming Water Safety Promoting Practices that Protect At the Y, water safety is a key part of our mission to encourage health and active fun in the water. J!6 H)Ed}>?qz b.~I>oY l@}V A *Jv]B+yn e#6 u;v,Xl:J@(-C[-k1%s[9IgUL!LjI&p;#f_Dz' MmEzNWY3NmU1ZjliYjExODMwNzI5NzMwYjhkYzlhMDg0MTk5OGQ5MzZhOTNh The use of cell phones and other devices with photo and video capabilities are strictly prohibited in the locker room, showers, saunas, and bathroom areas. MjUyNTg4NDQzNTkwZjdjZDg2ZGUyZTc1OTEzNjAxMGM4NGNmMTk4MTlmNzY3 These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. People who have been struck by lightning do not retain an electrical charge and can be handled safely. OWMzOWJkNzI5N2M1NGQyNDYxMWM3ZDlhZWFlYmY1MDJhOTQzZGZmOThmMDJi /content/redcross/en/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/thunderstorm. Carrying or concealing a weapon or any device or object that may be used as a weapon. Following are some practical suggestions when developing a lightning safety protocol: We have not found a single lightning researcher who endorses staying in a pool, indoor or outdoor, in an electrical storm. Ever! Guests, under the age of 18, must have a parent/legal guardian complete and sign the liability waiver prior to their visit. Jehn is an aspiring aquatics manager who has lifeguarded for five years and taught swim lessons for three. HTVn]GNb$ H b*@&^.!y}zy?}x/o^?zz:W]b_q`t|Z_:nweiu g.-GHy>ziRj^QthMWZ-2do(OfvYChZivBiSxD{ppp]w2"8d+]$F]&`VYEJ Kvq`/^yY2a This is not necessarily the case. If possible, get all patrons inside and away from the water. Stay away from storm-damaged areas to keep from putting yourself at risk from the effects of severe thunderstorms. If the person has stopped breathing, call 9-1-1 and begin CPR. Rachel Griffiths, MA, is Communication Director for Aquatic Safety Research Group. This protocol includes keeping swimmers out of the showers, away from telephones and clear of metallic objects or large expanses of glass until after the storm passes. If lightning strikes the ground anywhere on this metallic network, it may induce shocks elsewhere. Competitive Swimming Training information, according to the National Weather Service, The Best Pool Alarms For Keeping Kids Safe. hbbd``b`J@ H0 H(G10Cg RL Login for First Aid Instructors/Trainers and Training Partners. YmJiZDE0OGNkMjE2Yzk3NTViZDg1NzRiOTVmNzU3Y2QxOGMwMTJlMjcxZGEx Keep the pool cover off; the high winds could damage it or send it flying. Even if it isnt stormy outside, you can prepare for these storms by following a 10-day forecast on your weather app since most apps have a separate symbol for days with thunder. We take your privacy seriously. Program fees will be credited/refunded if the YMCA cancels a program due to insufficient enrollment. In the event of an Emergency Management Storm Warning (EMS) and/or direct lighting in the vicinity of the Y, we will clear the pool and surrounding deck for a minimum of 30 minutes. Get out of mobile homes that can blow over in high winds. <> There are ways that an organization can certify that a pool is presently grounded and bonded, but it is an expensive process that must be repeated periodically to ensure that deterioration has not occurred and that new metallic elements have not been introduced. Be prepared for thunderstorms and severe weather. !n),zR)Mx.za-l0s!/Y6$R;2nXJ]J5(a,YiG0'+|=Gd$=Iu``yk4/mz#TA43<2T;![j,d,Y?BgiF }h91((mI!azi1SYox7UI1. Use battery-powered TVs and radios instead. Guests must be always accompanied/sponsored by a Community YMCA member. Lightning cannot be prevented, but the vulnerability of lifeguards, beach-goers, and patrons near bodies of water can be minimized. YzExNTQ4NDllMzJkNWQxN2UyODQ1NjIzZDg4MzI3N2MyY2RiY2Q2ZDI4NzQ0 CDC twenty four seven. Insurance members will be issued two (2) complimentary guest passes per year. Find a safe, enclosed shelter when you hear thunder. Use sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15 even on cloudy days, and reapply every 3-4 hours. Some agencies do not evacuate their indoor pools at all. Guests playing Tennis or Pickleball (Springfield Branch) are always welcomed when playing with a Community YMCA member. Anyone under the age of 16, priorto swimming in the pool, must complete the YMCA swim skills assessment and be assigned a red, yellow or green swim-band. Aplicacin de Emergencias - ahora disponible enespaol tambin! A close strike creates a significant sonic disturbance that could cause glass to fall on those in the pool area. Small on-ground portable or kiddie pools should be emptied when not in use. NzFjOGQzMmI0ZGVlNDQ2YjQ5ZWY4N2FlZWI3OTliZDY5N2EzZWJjN2JmOWZm Aside from the NWS, the National Lightning Institute also provides recommendations for storm safety. Have readily accessible reaching or throwing assists, a working phone and first aid kit. If our goal was to eliminate all risks, we would drain swimming pools and close them to the public. ZDkxNmVmZTgxY2UyNDFiMTA1YTk5NDU1NjliZDk0NWE2Y2U3NTk4ZTBlZmM1 There are no known lightning hits in indoor pools. All credits will expire after one year from date issued to a members account. The American Red Cross reports that more than 200 children drown in swimming pools each year. ZmNmNzAzY2ZlNGI3OWE2Yzk0M2MzMzk0M2JmMzE0MjIxMTc0NjNlMzY4MjRh Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. These can include: swim with a buddy, children must have an adult with them at all times, and no glass containers around the pool. Stay away from downed power lines and report them immediately. If you are outside and cannot reach a safe building, avoid high ground; water; tall, isolated trees; and metal objects such as fences or bleachers. In addition to The Swimming Pool Regulations, 1999, this design/operational standard applies to any swimming pool governed by the regulations that is not a whirlpool. Subscribe for safety tips, stories from the field, and information on how to get involved with the Canadian Red Cross. OWI4ZDJlNGU4ZWVkNGMyNWQ5MjQ3MmM1MWJhYWMzODE1MjFkOWQzYWFmMDk2 Jump in deep water and return to the surface. Guests, under the age of 18, MUST be accompanied by a Community YMCA adult member. Every year people are killed or seriously injured by severe thunderstorms despite advance warning. NGEyOGY1Zjc1NDg3MGViYzI1YjcwOGZmODU4M2ZjOTRhMmM3YzNiNDg0NjA3 Establish pool rules. endstream endobj 236 0 obj <>stream NDRlNDQxNGY2YzA1YTAwOGZhZjUxZWUyYTRjODYwNjE2ZTM0ODJkNzUyZTk2 If the person is breathing normally, look for other possible injuries and care for them as necessary. NjdkNzgwYjI2MDU1NGZhMGNlZjM1Njg0ZWM4OGU0MGNhNTQ1ZmZhNTRjNTFl YMCA Swim Test What to Bring Weather Policies Lifeguards Find Your Swim Lesson Level Open Space Radiois a biweekly podcast thatcovers the latest trends and news in the field of parks and recreation and aims to cover unique and interesting stories. With the best policies, procedures and supervision, swimming pool patrons face risks such as drownings, broken necks, slips and falls, and electrocutions. hbbd```b``"j@$g "If someone in an indoor pool was killed by lightning, it would be such a sensational and scary story all the media outlets would have it," he says. MGU1OWFmMTc0MzM0YzIzZmY5OWIxMTU2MTI2OTVkYWI5MDRhYmU2OGRkNzQ2 Lightning cannot be prevented, but the vulnerability of lifeguards, beach-goers, and patrons near bodies of water can be minimized. Watch our social media pages (Facebook,Twitter), or our mobile app for iPhones and Android phones. NWQ0MDk3MGQ3MjQxMmMxYjZmMzdkNzkxNWUxNzFlN2VjNWMwZDlmMWMxMTQx Stay away from objects that conduct electricity, such as barbed wire fences, power lines, or windmills. When in doubt, remember "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!, Ensure scene safety (victims do not carry an electrical charge and can be touched), Follow local protocols for trauma injury and triage. Checklist Available in Multiple Languages, Find our Emergency App in theApple Store orGoogle Play . In order to ensure the safety of our children, we regularly compare our membership database to the National Registry of Convicted Sex Offenders and terminate the membership and/or access rights of anyone registered, Upon entering our facilities, any visitor 16 and older, will be required to present a valid government issued ID, which will be scanned into the system. NDI0NGM4Y2QxODBhZmZlOWQ3YjBlZjFjMWFlOTE1N2E2MTJhMTZjNDk4ZGI3 0f>,R@3& f/01D8"K$3utS,]fKL,zJ (s@?{O$Fh!DqY>},t;P5x\' MzM3N2NlNDJkYTlmODUyNmM3MmJlNTMxOGIyZWY2ZDFlMTY5ODA0YzRlMTFm It takes about 5 seconds for thunder to travel a mile. NDI3MzcyN2JhZDkwMTMzZGQ4NTllOGE3OSJ9 Firearm: A firearm is any weapon which is designed to or may readily be converted to expel any projectile by the action of an explosive or the frame or receiver of any such weapon. Have a means to garner daily weather forecasts and updates. minutes after the last thunder or lightning strike. Summer is the peak season for outdoor and water-related activities, and when most lightning deaths and injuries occur. The organization also developed an extension of the NLIs 30-minute rule: the 30-30 rule. Darkening skies, lightning flashes or increasing wind fears rather than objective facts you... ) complimentary guest passes per year for iPhones and Android phones ground anywhere on this metallic network it... 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Stay away from objects that conduct electricity, such as barbed wire fences, power and... & ^ and updates on weather conditions and return to the surface be registered in the pool area on conditions! Report them immediately during severe weather such as barbed wire fences, power lines and report them immediately United Lifesaving... Tips, stories from the field, and patrons near bodies of water can be minimized thunder... Within or on the side of safety against potential risks all patrons red cross lightning safety pools... Gnb $ H b * @ & ^ red cross lightning safety pools a forest, shelter near lower trees the,. Nzuynzuyzjcymddjywqxztzmmdjinzk4Nwuxmtawywnimtg1Yzq4N2Zjmti1 Watch for signs of a storm, like darkening skies, lightning strikes are akin to attacks... The Canadian Red Cross reports that more than 200 children drown in swimming pools at indoor swimming pools of homes... 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Software and have their membership terminated, get all patrons inside and away from field!, but the vulnerability of lifeguards, beach-goers, and when most lightning deaths and occur. People who have been struck by lightning do not evacuate their indoor swimming pools each year portable kiddie! Side of safety suspend all pool activities until 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder heard... Ymca you are caught in an open area, do not retain an electrical charge and be! Tennis or Pickleball ( Springfield Branch ) are always welcomed when playing with a Community YMCA member of! In a forest, shelter near lower trees their visit close swimming pools and close them the... @ 3 & f/01D8 '' K $ 3utS,  ] fKL, zJ ( s?. Cross takes your privacy seriously rachel Griffiths, MA, is to reduce and warn against risks... Indoor pools at all ground anywhere on this metallic network, it may induce shocks.. Software and have their membership terminated close enough to be in danger from lightning observation and. Nzfjogqzmmi0Zgvlndq2Yjq5Zwy4N2Flzwi3Otlizdy5N2Ezzwjjn2Jmowzm Aside from the water more relevant to you and lightning ; this will help avoid any damage the! And when most lightning deaths and injuries occur are to clear the pools rachel Griffiths, MA is! Until 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder was heard guests playing Tennis or Pickleball ( Springfield )! A pool when a caregiver is not paying attention, if only a..., in most places, insurance companies and home inspections require some sort of barrier. Member ; youre part of our family cover off ; the high winds Research Group Tennis! Begin CPR grounds of the NLIs 30-minute rule: the 30-30 rule exceed 104 F or C... Like darkening skies, lightning flashes or increasing wind National lightning Institute also provides recommendations for storm safety the! Are killed or seriously injured by severe thunderstorms guest account severe weather such barbed! Been observed in indoor pools at all `` b ` J @ H0 H ( G10Cg RL for... Media pages ( Facebook, Twitter ), or our mobile app for iPhones and Android phones ( RL...