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Do Wading Pools Need Lifeguards?
Filed under: Opinions
Regular swimming pools always have lifeguards on duty. We like to mock them for their small red shorts, white noses (due to the zinc oxide) and general resemblance to the characters on Baywatch. But, as we all know, lifeguards, well, save lives. Yep, that kid with the pimples and whistle has actual training and could one day save your life or that of someone you love. Now a council in the UK wants to put lifeguards on wading pools, too, or have the pools -- known as paddling pools in UK-speak -- shut down.
Most wading pools are eighteen inches deep or less. As we all know, however, an unattended child can drown in an inch of water from a bath. Mixing kids with water is no laughing matter. Officials in South Wales would agree, and are asking that eight paddling pools in Carmarthenshire be given lifeguards or drained. Parents and counselors are criticizing the move. I guess they think eighteen inches is safe enough or that the kids will be supervised well enough to not need addition pairs of (trained) eyes. Attendants have always been on duty at these wading pools, but they are not trained in life-saving techniques as the proposed guards would be.
Practically speaking, I assume money plays a role in whether or not this rule gets passed. Who will pay for these additional lifeguards? There may be no budget for it, in which case the pools would close. I assume the taxpayers would not support the salaries either. As a parent of small children, however, I would want lifeguards at the wading pools and would be willing to pay additional money for them. Of course, I would still be watching my kids like a hawk but it would be nice to think there were extra eyes on my baby. Most drowning accidents involving children seem to result from the caregiver becoming distracted, so I'd rather err on the side of caution -- or over-caution! -- and have the guards on duty.
What do you think? Is it going too far to require wading or paddling pools to have trained lifeguards on duty?
| Yes - water is dangerous! | |
|---|---|
| Maybe - it depends on the situation. | |
| No - wading pools are perfectly safe. |
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
1-10-2009 @ 5:57PM
Karen said...Drowning can happen in only inches of water. Wadding pools are just as dangerous as regular pools.
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1-10-2009 @ 7:00PM
Karen said...There is a new lifeguard certification coming out that is for shallow water only. Wading pools and some water parks could have these shallow water lifeguards and they are going to allow certification from 14 years and up.
Reply
4-08-2010 @ 12:13PM
Laura said...As a former day-camp counselor of two and three year olds (yes!) at a summer camp, I can tell you that yes the kiddie pool is dangerous. Children can drown in shallow water and should be formally supervised at all times. Watch 10 two and three year olds splash around for ten minutes, and you'll understand. I've seen children, unknowingly submerge other children. I've seen them lose balance and fall back into water. Someone has to be mandated to be there like I was.
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1-12-2009 @ 8:22PM
Pavlina said...Our locals pools all have a lifeguard at the kiddie pool. I think they are absolutely necessary. I have seen mothers all talking together at one end while their small children are in the pool. It was a good thing the lifeguard was at least paying attention to their children. Then I had to pull one little girl from the bottom of the poll once, while her dad had her baby brother and the mom was who knows where.
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1-15-2009 @ 9:43PM
Capt. Ed Castillo said...As the owner of one of the largest lifeguard providers in Southern California, I will say that the wading pools are often the most neglected when it comes to lifeguard supervision. It is true that a child will drown in just an inch of water and that is not uncommon. It is indeed a tragedy to say the least. It is also a known fact that most drownings involving children occur to those just under 2 years old.
These drownings are preventable with the right supervision and if something should happen, it is ideal to have lifeguard/medics at the site or pool. We are strong advocates for the lifeguard/medics and we educate parents daily on the differences of a high schooler looking to make a buck and a professional rescuer. The difference is a matter of life and death.
I personally believe that all pools should have guards on duty and if there are none, do not take that chance.
Capt. Ed Castillo
Southern California FIRE & EMS
http://www.socalems.com/lifeguards.htm
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