Pool manager advises to plunge safely into summer

By Mike Ford, The Delphos Herald
Published:  Monday, June 2, 2008 (5 months, 3 weeks ago)
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DELPHOS — Jaime Vaca was just 17 months old when he drowned in a residential pool last August. Other children had failed to lock the gate surrounding it when they were summoned to the dinner table. When Vaca did not join them, his little body was found in the pool, according to a published report.
Though this incident took place in Bakersfield, Calif., water-related deaths take place around the nation every summer at family pools, ponds and lakes. The safest place for local swimming is the Delphos Municipal Swimming Pool, where rigorously-trained lifeguards keep a watchful eye on swimmers.
“My lifeguards are certified by the American Red Cross and this year, I have 15 lifeguards. They’re certified in life-saving, CPR and first aid. Before they even get into the class, they have to swim 500 yards, retrieve a brick, bring it back and then tread water for two minutes. It’s a lot harder than people think and they also perform four life-saving simulations and swim 75 laps every week to stay in shape,” Manager Chris Wisher said.
Because the best water safety method is learning to swim, the city pool begins lessons at age 5. The schedule is tentatively set for the last week of June and the first week of July. The total cost of the 10 half-hour sessions is $40 per person.
Wisher is concerned that a lot of youth come to the pool alone, many of whom cannot swim.
“One of the issues we have is kids coming to the pool by themselves. They get dropped off or ride their bikes. Some of them can swim and some of them can’t. Parents should tell kids who can’t swim to stay in the shallow end and everyone should have a friend with them,” she said.
In any body of water, children should never be unsupervised. However, this means keeping a constant eye on a child because accidents can happen very quickly. The more eyes on a child, the better.
“A lot of parents think toy floaties will keep their kid safe but they will not save a child if someone jumps on top of them, for example. I want parents and guardians to enjoy the sun but things can happen very quickly,” she said.
Wisher says she and her lifeguards are “real sticklers” on issues of safety. She says the leading cause of paralysis is diving into unsafe waters or shallow depth. She recommends everyone enter any body of water feet first. There are also other rules strictly enforced at the city pool.
The diving board is especially popular with area youth. Loitering around the board from inside the pool is prohibited and only one bounce is allowed, so divers may maintain balance.
“Horseplay” is not allowed near the board or elsewhere within the pool. This includes running, pushing or throwing others into the pool, as well as fighting, dunking or splashing other swimmers.
No tennis balls are allowed inside the pool and no objects may be deliberately aimed at another swimmer except Nerf balls and beach balls.
In addition, the slide may only be used by one person at a time. Sliders may only go down seated or on one’s back and no masks, fins or floatation devices may be used on the slide.
Wisher says these rules should also be used near residential pools, which should be fenced in and locked when not in use.
“It doesn’t take any time at all for a little child to wander off and something can happen,” she said.
Those supervising swimmers at home should have a phone nearby and call 911 immediately in case of an emergency. A first aid kit should be on hand and taking a CPR class should be considered by any parent or guardian.
“Both of our high schools offer CPR and that’s never a bad thing to learn — especially if you’re a parent. It can save a life and I think it should even be taught at the hospital to all parents,” she added.
Area Red Cross chapters regularly offer CPR courses, which may be scheduled with the respective chapters.

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