Posts Tagged ‘Lifesaving’
Swimming Pool, Wading Pool and Water Spray Park Regulation
The following amendment to the Swimming Pool, Wading Pool and Water Spray Park Regulation (AR 293/2006) went into affect on November 6, 2009. It is advised that the “responsible person” at your facility review and revise your current practices and polices on microbiological sampling.
Section 15(1) is repealed and the following is substituted:
15(1) A sample of the water in a pool must be taken and submitted to the Provincial Laboratory of Public Health (Microbiology) for microbiological testing
(a) every week, or
(b) at such other intervals as set out in a schedule established by the Chief Medical Officer or by an executive officer with the approval of the Chief Medical Officer.
Previous statement in the Regulations:
15(1) Every week a sample of the water in a pool must be taken and submitted to the Provincial Laboratory of Public Health (Microbiology) for microbiological testing.
Visit www.lifesaving.org for links to these Regulations and other important safety management resources.
Rational for Changes:
Clarification provided in an email dated November 20, 2009 by:
Debra Mooney, Project Manager
Health Protection Branch, Alberta Health and Wellness
Tel: 780-427-8273 | debra.mooney@gov.ab.ca
“In the context of pandemic planning, the Provincial Lab has been reviewing any pertinent regulations which set out specific Provincial Lab commitments to processing samples of drinking water and pool water.
Under Section 15 of the Swimming Pool, Wading Pool and Water Spray Park Regulation for water, pools were required to send their samples weekly to the Provincial Laboratory and there was no built-in flexibility which would allow the lab to shift to emergency priorities or perhaps reduce services when they have too many ill staff.”
“Consequently, an amendment was made to Section 15 which would allow for a different schedule of sampling (for example once per month) with the approval of the Chief Medical Officer of Health or by the executive officer with the approval of the CMOH. A change in the frequency could lessen the burden on the lab in times of emergency such as pandemic. Any change in frequency would need to be based on the type of pool, (for example, every whirlpool could drain and fill every week) the operating history of the pools, etc.”
________________________________
Sue Sherman
Communication Director
Lifesaving Society Alberta & Northwest Territories
11759 Groat Road / Edmonton, AB / T5M 3K6
Tel: 780 415 1755 / Fax: 780 427 9334
E-mail: sues@lifesaving.org / Web:
www.lifesaving.org
The latest issue of RIPPLES is now available on our website.
Please post for your staff to read
The link to a copy of the September / October 2009 RIPPLES is: http://www.lifesaving.org/member_services.php?page=243
Please copy and post where your instructors and lifeguards can read or forward on the email.
RIPPLES is produced as a PDF file, to open this file you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have this program, it is available free online at www.adobe.com.
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If its foreseeable, it’s preventable! As the Lifeguarding experts in Canada for the past 45 years, the Lifesaving Society provides expertise and services beyond lifeguard training programs. Coming this November, the Lifesaving Society will be piloting and launching new safety management programs for professionals in aquatic programming, facility management, swimming pool operations and recreation. These programs won’t
leave you puzzled.
http://www.aqua-edu.com/docs/AlbertaLifesavingSociety-SMI2009Promo.pdf
Registration & Location details are available online. www.lifesaving.org
safety management institute 2009
Know how to manage the risks and operate safe facilities. The Lifesaving Society Safety Management Institute 2009, in Edmonton, AB is available to members, affiliates and the public. The benefits of recognizing and assessing the risks in recreation and aquatic environments is essential for public safety in all communities. Owners, operators and designated safety personnel need to have the education and capacity to ensure they have an appropriate safety and supervision plan in place.
aquatic management training. For those who want the skills and knowledge to enable them to operate aquatic facilities to a standard established by provincial legislation and the Lifesaving Society. Prerequisite: none
aquatic safety inspector. For those who want the knowledge and practical experience to inspect aquatic facilities to a standard established by provincial legislation and the Lifesaving Society. Prerequisite: none
aquatic safety auditor. For those who want the knowledge and practical experience that
will enable them to conduct safety audits of aquatic operations within a community, through a process established by the Lifesaving Society. Prerequisite: Aquatic Safety Inspector
SEE auditor. For those who want the knowledge and practical experience that will
enable them to conduct Supervision evaluation & Enhancement (SEE) system audits of lifeguard and instructing operations at supervised swimming pools and waterfronts, through a process established by the Lifesaving Society. Prerequisite: NLS Instructor/Examiner
Media Release – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Drowning Report 2009
September 4, 2009
Barbara Kusyanto, Chief Administrative Officer
PH: 780-415-1755 | EMAIL: experts@lifesaving.org
Alberta & Northwest Territories Lifesaving Society
STAY AFLOAT WITH THE FACTS
~ making our communities a safer place to live, work and play ~
Edmonton, AB – The Lifesaving Society has released the 2009 Drowning & Injury Prevention Report for Alberta (AB) & the Northwest Territories (NWT).
The most current data available and collected by the Lifesaving Society reveals that in 2007, alcohol or drugs were a factor in 34% of AB and 25% of the NWT drowning fatalities. Alcohol involvement is twice as high among adult male victims then women, and every year, lives are needlessly lost due to drinking-and-boating incidents. 80% of the Albertans and Northerners who drowned while boating were NOT wearing their lifejacket.
“Although summer is the busiest boating season, the opportunity for Albertans & Northerners to recreate in, on and around the water still exists in the fall time,” says Barbara Kusyanto, Chief Administrative Officer of the Lifesaving Society. Be safe and think ahead. Be prepared for the unexpected and take the appropriate equipment before going boating.
The Alberta and Northwest Territories Lifesaving Society is the standard setting, certifying body for public aquatic safety. The Society has a public health and safety mandate for drowning, injury prevention and active living and fitness.
The 2009 Drowning & Injury Prevention Report provides valuable insight for individuals, organizations and governments, providing compelling reasons to make specific choices and take decisive actions to make our communities a safer place to live, work and play.
The Lifesaving Society knows that if Albertans and Northerners would make Water Smart® choices and learn basic swim survival skills, we could reduce the incidence of drowning and water related injuries by more than half.
The fact is, while drowning is often silent and sudden, it is preventable!
For additional information or to arrange for an interview, please contact:
Barbara Kusyanto, Chief Administrative Officer
Lifesaving Society Alberta & Northwest Territories
11759 Groat Road
Edmonton, AB T5M 3K6
Office: 780-415-1755 | Cell: 780-289-1792
The Alberta & Northwest Territories Lifesaving Society provides PMTs for print media and PSAs for radio
broadcasts. To receive this information, contact the Lifesaving Society at 780-415-1755 or email
experts@lifesaving.org. For further information on drowning prevention, visit us online: www.lifesaving.org
The Report on the Public Fatality Inquiry regarding the drowning death of an 8 year old Alberta boy was recently released by the Minister of Justice for the Province of Alberta and the Attorney General. Throughout the inquiry, the Lifesaving Society provided vital testimony to the Honourable Judge Bruce A. Millar to assist him in making his findings. In response to the reports release the Society circulated the attached media release to Alberta media outlets and has responded to a number of inquiries from both media and affiliates.
The Lifesaving Society concurs with the Honourable Judge Millar’s recommendations. The Society’s Public Aquatic Facility Safety Standards (PAFSS) have incorporated similar recommendations and guidelines since 2001. The recommendations coming from the fatality inquiry have been posted in the Safety Management section of our website: http://www.lifesaving.org/safety_management.php?page=479.
Judge Millar’s recommendations reinforce the need to develop and maintain strong risk management practices. The Society fully believes that most if not all of our affiliates have these practices in place. It is important to put the recommendations into context in respect to each of your unique needs and facility. In light of the inquiries findings, this is a good time to review your risk management practices.
The Society can help, check out the resources available on-line or contact Society staff with your questions. You may want to request a topical assessment or comprehensive safety audit. In further support, the Society is planning an Aquatic Safety Management Institute in November, 2009. This institute will launch a number of programs that align to Judge Millar’s recommendations.
________________________________________
Sue Sherman
Communications Director
Lifesaving Society Alberta & Northwest Territories
11759 Groat Road / Edmonton / AB / T5M 3K6
Tel: 780 415 1755 / Fax: 780 427 9334
Email: sues@lifesaving.org / Web: www.lifesaving.org
Join us for Edmonton 2009 “A legacy and A Future” www.rlss2009.com
Purpose: Introduce stride entries
Description:
1. Have students practice different ways to enter the water without their heads going under.
2. Practice entering the water maximizing their surface area (spread arms and legs).
3. Have students enter minimizing their surface area (bring arms and legs close to the body).
4. Have students practice taking large steps on land.
5. Have students take large steps into the water. Emphasize the step, not a jump.
6. Have students take a large step into the water using their maximum surface area.
7. Demonstrate a stride jump and have students practice.
Todd Reade
Eggbeater Kick Drill:
- Line the class single file (Front to Back)
- Sumo-Wrestler Walk
Tell them to squat in the style of a sumo wrestler. Key features are a low glute position, knees above the waist, and spread wider than the waist. They should walk once around the pool.
- Standing High Knee Walk – Bouncing
Get them to do this twice: once walking, once bouncing-not running). Standing high, shoulders back, bounce from leg to leg with the knees coming above the waist, keep the toes pointed towards the ground while in the air but flat when on the ground (this develops the whip-kick like motion). This looks like a high-knee jog – except that you always want them to have their knees wider than their shoulders.
- Jump into Pool
Have the class repeat the last jog, however they should finish by a safe jump into the pool where they continue the same wide-leg jogging motion- their shoulders should move a lot from side to side.
- Butt Wiggle
As they are comfortable using their motion to stay up and look relaxed, have the start to wiggle their buttocks as that will generate the free hip motion needed – still lots of should motion.
- Smooth Out
Go through and start to bring their shoulders into a stationary focus and smooth out the appearance so that they look stable.
- Practice, Practice, Practice
Once they are in the ballpark I always encourage them to practice at home on the couch watching TV – key them into having their buttocks hanging out over the edge to maintain free hip motion (if they sit on their bottom as they practice it will alter the learning ).
If anyone does not seem to “get it” immediately don’t panic – some people it takes some time to click in
- Strength will develop the more they do it so make eggbeater “mandatory” for all practice (obviously you DO NOT evaluate on that – follow the must-sees):
- Key them into repeating the process on their own time at the pool – the more they go through the process the more likely they are to get it
- Get them to practice with a lifejacket/deep water jogging belt as they can hang forward and watch their legs move – I sometimes use this on step 4 as well.
Be VERY carful and warn the candidates to be careful doing the walks/jogs or the will a) get all bunched together or b) fall down — safety first!
Finally, remember that eggbeater is functionally whip-kick with the legs moving in opposition rather than in snyc so use that to guide your drill development and though process.
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Filed under Aquatics
Tags:Eggbeater, Eggbeater Drills, Eggbeater Kick, eggbeater swim, eggbeater swimming, kick technique, Lifeguarding, Lifesaving, Swimming Instruction, Teaching Eggbeater, water polo eggbeater