Lifeguard In-service Topic
Pool Rules and Policies
Below is an excerpt from the Cook County Community YMCA lifeguard manual outlining all current policies and procedures. Please look through this manual excerpt and following key information carefully as there are several policy changes new to 2023.
Pool Area Rules and Policies
Key Changes to Rules and Policies
The below list outlines several changes and key rules and policies that are not being consistently enforced. This list is not an exhaustive list of rules and policies for the pool area. Please read through manual excerpt above for the complete list or rules and policies. It is crucial that all lifeguards enforce all rules and policies equally and fairly. When rules and policies are not enforced equally by all guards, it creates safety issues for swimmers, confusion for children and youths and trust issues for members who ask why one guard is 'nice' and lets them break the rules while another guard is 'strict' and enforces them.
Updated Rules and Policies:
Key Rules and Policies that need more consistent enforcement:
Updated Rules and Policies:
- Swimmers may not use the starting blocks/ platforms during open or lap swim. These training tools may only be used during YMCA programs while under the supervision of a YMCA swim coach or swim instructor.
- Swimmers must be 48" tall in order to use the water slide. Swimmers who are not 48" tall may not use the slide even if they have passed the swim band test.
Key Rules and Policies that need more consistent enforcement:
- All age requirements for the hot tub and sauna. Children and youths under 16 years of age cannot enter the hot tub or sauna (even with parent supervision), sit on the edge or stairs of the hot tub (including dipping feet and hands in or being splashed by parents or guardians) or stand in the open sauna door.
- Pool age requirements. Children age 0 - 6 must have an adult in the water with them within arms reach even if they are wearing a lifejacket or puddle jumper. Parents may not leave a child under 7 in the water alone in order to use the hot tub or sauna.
- Showering rules. All those who enter the pool or hot tub must shower beforehand enter and whenever they change from one to the other; this includes after using the sauna. Exceptions may be made for those with significant mobility limitation that may make showering in our facility difficult or hazardous.
Age Requirments in the Aquatics ARea
Pool |
0 - 6 |
Children 0 - 6 must have a supervising adult in the water within arms reach at all times regardless of swimming ability. Children 0 - 6 must pass a swim band test in order to swim in the deep area of the pool without a lifejacket. Even after passing the swim band test, a supervising adult is required to stay within arms reach of the child at all times.
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7 - 9 |
Children 7 - 9 may play in the pool independently while supervised adult who must remain in the pool area. Children 7 - 9 are required to take a swim band test in order to swim in the deep area of the pool without a lifejacket and parent in the water with them
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10 - 12 |
Youths 10 - 12 may use the pool area independently, but are required to take a swim band test in order to swim in the deep area of the pool without a lifejacket and supervising adult in the water with them.
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13+ |
Youths 16+ may use the pool area independently and are no longer required to take a swim band test in order to swim in the deep area of the pool.
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Hot Tub and Sauna |
0 - 15 |
Children and youths 0 - 15 may not use the hot tub or sauna and must remain outside the grey tiling on the floor. This includes sitting on the edge, steps or side or having a parent splash or dump water onto the child while outside the hot tub.
***This is a Duluth Area Family YMCA association wide policy and is mandated by our insurance company.*** |
16+ |
Youths 16+ may use the hot tub or sauna at any time the pool is open.
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Swimmers vs. Non-Swimmers
Non-Swimmers
Any child under the age of 13 who has not passed or has not taken the swim band test is a non-swimmer and should abide by the below rules:
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Swimmers
Any child who has passed the swim band test is considered a swimmer and should abide by the below rules:
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FREQUENTLY ASKED PATRON QUESTIONS
My child is cold, can they warm up in the hot tub or sauna? |
No. It is the Duluth Area Family YMCA's policy that no child or youth under the age of 16 may enter the spa or sauna.
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My child uses the hot tub or sauna at my home/ another ymca/ a hotel/ etc. why can't they here? |
This is a best practice based based on current science. Children and youths are more prone to seizures and heat related illnesses when exposed to high temperatures even for short periods of time.
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I forgot my swim suit, can my child under 7 still swim without me with a lifejacket on if they stay in the shallow area? |
No. It is the Duluth Area Family YMCA's policy that no child or youth under the age of 7 may enter the pool without a supervising adult in the water with them even if they are wearing a lifejacket unless they are participating in a YMCA lead program and accompanied by a YMCA teacher, childcare provider, instructor or coach.
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Can my 10 - 17 year old child act as a guardian in the pool for my 0 - 9 year old child? |
No. All child under 10 must have a supervising adult (18+) present in the pool (0 - 6) or in the pool area for (7 - 9).
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