Aquatic Safety Equipment

YMCA of the USA

Following are descriptions of the safety and Backboard/cervical collar first-aid equipment used in aquatic areas and Backboards or spine boards will be kept in the a list of the specific equipment necessary at pool area, along with stiff-neck cervical collars, different aquatic locations. All YMCA policies, adult and pediatric. Each pool will have a board procedures, and practices should be in compli- with four straps (without spider straps), sets of ance with state and local regulations where collars, and head restraints. A backboard and applicable. collar shall be used anytime spine or neck inju- ries are suspected. AED (Automated external defibrillator) This is a portable electronic device that can Manual suction device deliver an electrical shock to the heart to rees- A manual or mechanical suction device will be tablish a viable heart rhythm during sudden available on deck to suction victims who have cardiac arrest (SCA). Stored with the device vomited, been underwater, inhaled fluid or are scissors, duct tape, razors, and towels; also, debris, or who are bleeding from the nose or in the pool area is a pad or board to place the mouth in order to ensure an open airway prior victim on so he or she is not in standing water. to giving rescue breaths.

Oxygen equipment Bag valve mask Like the AED, emergency oxygen is essential for A bag valve mask (BVM) is a hand-held device the cardiac arrest victim. Rescue breathing with that consists of a bag, a valve, and a mask. It supplemental oxygen enhances the likelihood shall be used to deliver oxygen to a victim when of successful defibrillation and provide what the rescue breathing or CPR is required. Masks to body is starved for, oxygen. Emergency oxygen fit adult, child, and infant will be kept on deck. has a broader range of application for lifesaving Rescue tube than does the AED. Oxygen will be adminis- A rescue tube or rescue buoy will be available tered to anyone suffering from any potentially for every lifeguard on deck. The rescue tube is life-threatening illness or injury. Emergency made of buoyant molded foam, 3.5 inches by 5.5 oxygen has had FDA approval since the 1970s. inches by 40 inches. There will be a line with a Equipment consists of a portable cylinder and loop attached to one end (the tail); the line may regulator that provides oxygen for a minimum vary in length depending on the depth of the of 15 minutes and has a constant flow rate of water in which it will be used. No interior foam not less than six (6) liters per minutes, with a will be showing. If cracks or tears occur, tubes gauge to measure the PSI. The mask will be will be immediately replaced. one that can be used for both breathing and nonbreathing victims. YMCA of the USA Aquatic Safety Equipment

Rescue buoy Lifeguard chairs The rescue buoy is made of lightweight, hard Elevated lifeguard chair will be placed for every plastic and is buoyant. It has molded handles 2,000 feet of water surface area. The chair seat along the sides and end; like the rescue tube, a will be 5- to 6-feet above the pool deck. There tow rope is attached to one end. The buoy can will be a platform around the chair so guards also be used in a reaching assist or as a buoy- may safely stand, enter, and exit. All lifeguards ancy aid for victims. It is predominantly used in will be trained to get up and down from the surf rescues. chair safely.

Ring buoy with line attached Evacuation supplies This is a large ring buoy with a throwing line Towels or robes for pool evacuation will be attached weighing 2.5 pounds. Line will be at available during winter months. least 40- to 50-feet long for use in a throwing Rescue bag (Heaving line) assist. The ring buoy shall be kept on deck at all times. Used most frequently in moving water, the rescue bag is a self-contained throwing device Reaching pole with a 75-foot rope coiled inside a bag. At least 6 feet in length, this pole is made of PVC, metal, or buoyant wood. Pole will be kept on the pool deck (or dock) at all times. First-Aid Kits

Shepherd’s crook Lifeguard fanny pack supplies This is a reaching pole made of metal with a Lifeguards shall have these supplies on their large blunt hook at the end. It shall be at least person at all times while on duty. 10- to 15-feet long. This shall be kept on the pool deck at all times. •• Pocket mask for adult, child, and infant •• Two pairs of disposable gloves Personal protective equipment •• Suggested: The Occupational Health and Safety Admin- •• Two adhesive bandages in freezer zip istration (OSHA) requires that lifeguards closure bag be provided appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g., pocket or face masks, latex- •• Two 4" x 4" gauze pads in freezer zip type gloves, gowns, and safety glasses) for closure bag performing first aid, rescue breathing, and Primary first-aid kit for pool or water- CPR. If the victim is bleeding, the rescuer needs front protection against bloodborne diseases. Since Aquatic facilities and areas shall have a complete many victims vomit during rescue breathing, first-aid kit containing the following items avail- a pocket or face mask with a one-way valve is able at all times. Staff shall regularly check the used to shield the rescuer from contact with the supplies and replace any materials after use. victim’s body fluids. •• Bag valve mask (BVM) Life line/Safety line •• Manual suction device A rope with floats or buoys will be used to desig- •• Resuscitation masks nate where the depth of the water changes, i.e., •• Antibacterial hand wash where deep water begins. •• Eye wash solution

2 YMCA of the USA Aquatic Safety Equipment

•• Biohazard waste bag and cleanup kit, Waterfronts including a pocket mask, two pairs of dispos- The following safety equipment shall be kept at able gloves, a gown, and booties waterfronts and related areas at all times. •• Blankets, plastic sheets, towels, pillows •• AED •• Bandages of different sizes, gauze, cotton •• Backboard equipped with straps, head immo- swabs, and adhesive tape of various widths bilizer, and cervical collars •• Scissors, forceps, tweezers, safety pins, •• Emergency oxygen needles •• First-aid kit (blankets, towels, bandages, and •• Flashlight or penlight similar items sealed in plastic) (see above) •• Glucose, sugar, or candy •• Mask, snorkel and fins •• Cold packs •• Lifeguard fanny packs, including personal •• Mineral oil protective equipment (see above) •• Disposable drinking cups •• Communication system for expedient trans- •• A first-aid text port to appropriate medical facility •• Incident/accident reports, paper, pencils •• Reaching poles •• Emergency telephone numbers •• Rescue boat or paddle boat (A motorized rescue craft is recommended for large facilities) Safety and First-Aid Equipment for •• Rescue tubes Aquatic Locations •• Ring buoy with 50 ft. of line for each guard station •• Scuba gear (recommended) Pools •• Siren, klaxon, or other loud warning device The following safety equipment shall be kept at pool areas at all times, including during recre- •• Whistle for each guard ational periods, classes, and all other uses of the aquatic facility. Equipment for patrol boats •• First-aid kit (see list above) •• Two paddles •• AED •• Four extra lifejackets •• Backboard equipped with straps, head immo- •• Anchor with at least 50 feet of line bilizer, and cervical collars •• Emergency light •• Emergency supplemental oxygen •• Fire extinguisher •• Evacuation supplies •• First-aid kit (blankets, towels, bandages, and •• Lifeline/Safety line similar items sealed in plastic) (see above) •• Lifeguard chairs •• Lifeguard fanny packs (see above) •• Lifeguard fanny packs containing personal •• Rescue tube protective equipment •• Ring buoy with at least 30 ft. of line •• Reaching pole •• Communication system •• Rescue bag (Heaving line) •• Rescue buoy •• Rescue tube •• Ring buoy with line attached •• Shepherd’s crook