SV21 - Supervision of Floating Play Equipment

Purpose

To provide guidelines for the supervision of floating mats, rafts, and small inflatable play equipment. This Guideline should be read in conjunction with SV33 Inflatable Play Equipment and the Guidelines for Aquatic Risk Management.

Description

There are many variables associated with the use of floating play equipment.

Each situation is unique given the design of the equipment, the pool it is being used in and how the equipment is being used. As a result, this Guideline has taken an overall risk mitigation approach to the supervision and use of in-pool inflatable equipment.

Potential hazards with this type of equipment include:

• use in deep water where non-swimmers may fall from equipment
• falling from equipment onto pool wall or concourse
• entrapment underneath the equipment
• large equipment or too many items may restrict lifeguard visibility, particularly under water
• user injury from hard equipment falling or being pushed into or onto the user, or other patrons/pool users
• allowing jumping from poolside onto the floating items
• use in shallow water where people may fall from equipment
• those not familiar with the environment
• unused equipment left unattended on concourse
• a non-swimmer following a floating toy into deep water
• wearing a flotation aid and moving into deep water.
• young children choking on small toys placed in their mouths
• cleanliness (equipment not drying out between uses)

Floating Mats and Rafts

Non-inflatable mats and rafts constructed of high density and often hard buoyant material are increasingly used for casual water play. Consideration should be given to the maximum number of floating mats and rafts allowed in the pool(s) at any one time.

Small Inflatable Play Equipment

Facility operators should ensure, amongst other things that small inflatable play equipment is:

• in safe, working order
• suitable for the age of users
• large enough in diameter to prevent becoming a choking hazard

Aquatic facilities should have a policy on whether they provide inflatable equipment or allow people to use their own.

Patrons who use exhaled air to inflate equipment should be monitored where possible due to the exertion of oxygen.

Inflatable equipment, particularly inner tubes, should be inspected prior to use to ensure there is no risk presented by an exposed inlet valve.

Patrons should not be permitted to jump or dive through inflatable rings.

Extra precaution and supervision may be required in outdoor pools, in particular on windy days.

References

• Lifeguarding, 3rd Edition 2001, The Royal Life Saving Society Australia, Mosby, Sydney
• Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools, 3rd Edition, 2003, Sport England Publications, Wetherby.
• The Use of Play Equipment & Water Features in Swimming Pools, 1994, ISRM, Melton Mowbray

Previous Versions

• Guideline SU17 Supervision of Floating Play Equipment, Issue 1, July 1996