Pre-Shift Routine
What is the purpose of pre-shift?
To relay important information about what is happening during that shift such as who the lifeguards and DAs are, the colors and activities of the week, curriculum catch-up, and safety tips.
Why is post-shift important?
It helps review the highs and lows of the shift, pass any information or reminders to the staff.
Help! I scraped my knee getting out of the pool for wall safety, it stings and it's bleeding lightly.
Walk the injured over to the bench and have them sit. Use PPE (gloves) while cleaning the cut with gauze then an alcohol prep pad. Apply waterproof bandaid and dispose of any bloodied tissues in garbage can. Document the name and time on an Incident/Accident Report.
The ideal range for free chlorine in the pool.
What is 2.0-4.0 ppm?
Playing music, an interactive team building game, asking ice-breaker questions, etc.
Types of on the spot corrections for swim instructors during the lesson.
Directional teaching, class control, mini teachers are not utilizing Gold Standard Sheet
Help! I've been lifeguarding for an hour and I feel woozy and light headed.
Make sure their zone is being watched before escorting the lifeguard to a seat on the dry side, out of the heat and humidity of the pool deck. Ask questions to learn more like when they ate last or if they have water, provide both. Monitor their state of consciousness.
If the pH reading comes back this number or lower, the deck supervisor should notify management.
What is 7.2?
One way to hold swim instructors accountable for small fixes in their teaching prior to the start of the shift.
What is a micro workshop?
Briefly reviewing a frequently missed/incorrect curriculum, safety, or class management skill.
Ways to bring a sense of closure to the shift and end on a high note.
Have a few swim instructors share a high from their shift, ask swim instructors to rate the shift on a scale 1-10 (talk through anything less than an 8)
Help! The fire alarm started going off.
Lifeguards initiate EAP by blowing 2 whistle blasts. Swim instructors escort the students in their class to the back exit and towards the side parking lot. Students should NOT go through to the dry side to reunite with parents. Swim instructors should take attendance for their class before children meet up with parents outside. DS should take attendance that all SI are present.
How often should the pool chems be tested?
At the start of the DS shift, and every two hours while the pool is in use.
Information the DS might ask from the swim instructors during pre-shift.
Any students that need to be evaluated to move up, any additional help someone needs for a class, absent students, etc.
When do you need to have an individual post shift with an employee?
If it's their first time mixing up a skill, facial expressions/tone, a concern from a parent, if a student in their class feel in/got injured, if you evaluated them.
Help! Solid code brown.
As soon as the stool is confirmed, alert two whistle blasts to remove swimmers from the pool. The contaminant should be removed with a skimmer and disposed of in a garbage can. Visual scan that all particles were removed and test the water to ensure chems are within range. Disinfect contaminated equipment before putting it away.
If chlorine tests 1.0, close for 45 minutes; 2.0- 25 minutes, 3.0+- 19 minutes.
Ideally, the alkalinity will be at X, but if it gets as low as Y, the DS should let management know.
X ideal= 100
Y min= 80
Name 5 pre-shift tasks you can assign to DAs and SIs to prepare for the shift.
1. Restock lifeguard hip packs
2. Check lane baskets for proper equipment
3. Deck check for garbage/junk on floors
4. Check deck bathroom for cleanliness
5. Wipe down the showers
Name 5 post-shift tasks to assign to DAs and SIs to reset the facility after the shift.
1. Put away/organize minis toys and flippers
2. Wipe shower shelf and tiles
3. Spot clean floors, especially under the bench
4. Deck check for bandaids, garbage, hair, etc.
5. Restock lifeguard hip packs
Help! Someone threw up on the pool deck.
Cover affected area with paper towels to absorb as much as possible. Vomit should not be washed into filters, deck drains, or pool. Wipe up as much vomit as possible and dispose of soiled paper towels in garbage can. The pool deck should be disinfected with a mixture of 1/3 cup bleach to a gallon of water.