SV20 - Supervision with Technology

Purpose

Technology can aid the provision of supervision in an aquatic facility in a number of ways. When technology is used for supervision, it should only be used as an aid and in addition to the supervision provided by lifeguards as detailed throughout the Supervision Guidelines.

Definition

Technology to aid supervision in an aquatic facility can include, but is not limited to radios, security alarms, emergency alarms, mobile or portable phones, closed circuit television and drowning detection systems.

Risk Assessment

The possible installation and or use of technological systems to aid the provision of supervision at an aquatic facility should form part of the risk assessment on supervision needs (refer GSPO Guideline SU1 Bather Supervision and GSPO Guideline GO7 Risk Management).

Two Way Radios

Two-way radios provide instant communication between users. Aquatic facilities should consider using radios to enhance communications between lifeguards and between lifeguards and other facility staff, particularly in circumstances where line of sight communication may not be possible.

Mobile and Portable Phones

Mobile or portable phones can provide a lifeguard on deck with a means of quickly contacting emergency services and should be considered by aquatic facilities that operate with only two staff members or less.

At no times should a lifeguard use their phones or wearable technology for personal reasons whilst providing supervision.

Emergency Alarms

Emergency alarms, with audible and visual warnings are required for spas and wave pools. These alarms once activated immediately alert staff that an emergency is occurring at these locations.

Emergency alarms can also be set up (for other aquatic areas such as the main pools) so that the alarm alerts an external person or organisation, such as an emergency service, which can then come to the aid of the aquatic facility.

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

CCTV can be used to aid the supervision of remote areas of an aquatic facility. If CCTV is to be used, the following conditions must be met:

• It does not replace lifeguard supervision of pools, including spa pool. CCTV should only be used to augment lifeguard supervision.
• The monitor of the CCTV must be manned at all times the relevant swimming pools are open so that incidents can be detected immediately.
• The person monitoring the CCTV should be trained in how to recognize an aquatic emergency and must be able to contact the lifeguard(s) immediately in the event of an incident.
• Factors such as glare, reflection on the surface of the water, turbidity of the water and obstructions in the line of sight can severely limit the usefulness of CCTV in providing supervision. These factors must be taken into consideration before any CCTV system is deployed to ensure that the person monitoring the system can see below the surface of the water and that there are no blind spots where an incident could happen undetected.
• Patron privacy should be taken into account when determining the use and placement of CCTV cameras.

Drowning Detection Systems

Computer aided drowning detection systems use various systems of computer hardware and software to monitor the patrons in a swimming pool. When they detect patron behaviour that is out of the norm, such as being motionless underwater for 10 seconds, they activate their alarm system, notifying the lifeguards of the incident and their location. These systems have had considerable and demonstrable success in preventing drowning, particularly overseas and aquatic facilities should consider installing a drowning detection system.

If an aquatic facility does install a drowning detection system, it must not be used as a replacement for the supervision provided by the lifeguards. By definition, drowning detection systems are reactive and it is essential that lifeguards are present, supervising in a proactive manner. The drowning detection systems are a backup only for lifeguards, in case they do not see or recognise an incident.

References / Further Information

• PAS 65:2004 Management of public swimming pools – General management – Code of practice, British Standards Institution, 2004, London

Previous Versions

• GSPO – Supervision and Technology SU27 1 August 2010 Issue 1