SV28 - Supervision of Wave Pools

Purpose

To provide guidance on the supervision of wave pools at an aquatic facility.

Description

Ratios

Wave pools will require special supervision with lifeguard to bather ratios greater than for conventional pools. The recommended minimum ratio of lifeguards to people in the water during wave motion is 1 lifeguard for up to 40 people.

Particular wave patterns may require additional supervision.

Overcrowding in wave pools is common and lifeguard to bather ratios should be increased to ensure adequacy of supervision.

Lifeguard access to and from all sides of the wave pool should be provided.

Wave Start Up

• An audible and visual warning should be activated at least one minute prior to the commencement of any wave motion to warn people using the pool in calm conditions.
• A verbal announcement using a loud hailer or public address (PA) system should also be given prior to the commencement of waves allowing adequate time for those who wish to return to shallow water or to vacate the pool and for carers with small children to hold onto them during the operation of the wave machine.
• All other water features should be stopped during wave motion.
• Lifeguards should be alert as the alarm may encourage patrons to run to the wave pool.

Access to the pool when the waves are operating should only be allowed from the beach entry area.

Jumping or diving into or onto waves should not be allowed.

Controls for the operation of the wave pool including emergency stop button/s should be located on the pool deck allowing lifeguard operation while supervising the pool.

Swimmers should be kept away from the wave generation wall during wave motion.

Flotation devices provided by management and where permitted, privately owned devices should only be used under strict supervision by lifeguards.

The use of floating lines or ropes in the 'breaking zone' is not recommended.

The wearing of snorkelling equipment during wave motion is not recommended.

Lifeguards should be alert and scanning for people in difficulty or at risk, including:

• the tired swimmer
• the swimmer out of their depth during wave motion
• the swimmer holding young children
• the injured swimmer
• the non-swimmer
• the distressed swimmer

A crowd control procedure should be in place to allow not only a quick and orderly evacuation of the wave pool, but also a safe and orderly re-entry upon re-opening.

All wave pools should include appropriate signage, including, but not limited to, changing water conditions, depth measurements and diving restrictions.

Lifeguards should have easy access to rescue equipment specific to a flowing water environment. This may include, but is not limited to, throw bags and reach poles.

Hand Rails

Handrails should be checked regularly for tightness as they may become loose due to greater loadings created by swimmers’ movement in the waves.

Users should not be allowed to hang onto climb outs which should be left free for swimmers wishing to exit the pool.

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.
• Swimming Pool Supervision Guidelines and Recommended Standard, 1996, Hillary Commission, Wellington
• The Use of Play Equipment & Water Features in Swimming Pools, 1994, ISRM, Melton Mowbray
• Guide to Ontario Public Pools Regulation, 2nd Edition, 2004, Lifesaving Society, Toronto

Previous Versions

• Guideline SU14 Supervising Wave Pools, Issue 1, July 1996