SV30 - Supervision of Waterslides

Purpose

To provide guidance on the supervision of water slides at an aquatic facility.

Description

Water slides should be inspected daily, prior to their operation.

Routine visual inspection may include, but not be limited to:

• adequate water flow
• integrity of connections between all sections
• integrity of and fixing of slide mounting
• smooth surface for length of slide
• integrity of stairs and landings, including slip resistivity and non-abrasive surfaces

Mats should only be used on slide systems that have been specifically designed for this purpose.

Head first entry should NOT be permitted unless the slide system has been specifically designed for this purpose.

Users

Water slide supervisors should be familiar with the design specifications including user size and user numbers for each water slide.

Chain rides on slides should never be allowed.

Parents riding/holding children and infants should only be allowed at the management’s discretion.

Running starts should not be allowed.

An effective user spacing system should be established to ensure that person-to-person collisions, particularly in the landing area, are avoided.

Slides should be able to be isolated when not in use.

Communication

An effective means of communication should be established between lifeguards supervising the water slide and other water spaces. This may include, but is not limited to:

• whistles
• two-way radios
• telephones
• remote controls
• loud hailers
• hand signals

Advisory signage should be provided to inform all users of the water depth in the landing area.

Staffing

Adequate levels of supervision should be provided ensuring the appropriate control of user’s entry and exit.

A user should not be allowed to commence unless the supervisor is confident that there will be no risk of contact with a previous user.

Supervisors stationed at the entry to a water slide and who are not required to enter a pool should have a minimum of a current Level 1 (basic) First Aid qualification, and be trained in water slide operating and emergency procedures.

Only qualified lifeguards should be stationed at the exit of the water slide.

Supervisors and Lifeguards responsible for specific areas of the water slide should not be required to supervise other areas/pools.

Reference

• 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 SU8 Supervision of Changing/Toilet Areas, Issue 3, November 1997
• Guideline SU8 Supervision of Changing/Toilet Areas, Issue 2, 1 July 1996
• Guideline RS11 Supervision of Changing/Toilet Areas, Issue 1, August 1991
• Guideline SU14 Supervising Wave Pools, Issue 1, July 1996
• Guideline SU19 Supervision of Rivers, Issue 1, July 1996
• Guideline SU15 Supervision of Pools with Moveable Floors, Issue 1, July 1996.