Aquatic Safety

Standards

The following mandatory standards and procedures relate to the safe operation of all pools either owned or operated by the YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity.  They are not intended to include all aspects of our aquatic policy, which are contained in the aquatic section of the Operations Manual.  The following safety standards and procedures are the required standard of performance at all branches throughout the Association.

Lifeguards and Supervision

The supervision of children as outlined below is a safety precaution designed to provide an extra degree of safety beyond that provided by YMCA lifeguards for all children 12 and under.  Adult supervision is defined as a responsible person 18 or older.  Teen supervision is defined as a responsible 16 or older.

Children 6 and Under

·         Will be supervised in the water.  The supervision may be by an adult OR alternatively by a teen with the adult on deck.

Children 7-12

·         Do not have to be supervised in the water but require an adult on deck, unless they can’t pass the shallow water test.  The supervising adult is permitted to provide this supervision in the water.

All Children 12 and under must be swim tested and marked with a wrist band.

Floatation devices

·         Any person wearing a floatation device must wear a red band.

Shallow Water Test

·         The shallow water test consists of moving from a vertical position in the water to a horizontal position and then returning to a vertical position.

·         If they pass this test they may take the deep water test.

Deep water Test

·         The deep water test consists of swimming 15 yards on their front, 15 yards on their back to the start point, climbing out of the water, jumping in and treading water for 15 seconds. 

·         If passed child must wear a green wrist band.

·         If they do not pass the child must wear an orange wrist band. 

Rental Group Requirements for all Non Instructional Pool Use

·         All participants under the age of 18 must be swim tested and identified with a colored wrist band.

·         At least one adult representative of the rental group must remain on the deck at all times.

·         Children 7-15 will be supervised in the water by at least one adult or teen for every five children

·         Children 6 and under will be supervised in the water by at least one adult or teen for every two children.

NOTE:  As a policy, the YMCA does not provide parties which include pool use (such as birthday parties) for ages 6 and under.  The above adult supervision requirements provide direction in case children 6 and under happen to attend a birthday party as part of an older group.