lifeguard regulations and 4ft deep gym pool

Hi
I joined the new gym in Dundrum so my son could join and use the pool.

I bought into this before the gym opened and I did ask the sales guy if my son would be able to use the pool on his own as I didnt want to have to go in with him.

I was told that the pool was no more than 4 ft deep so he could go in on his own.

However when I went down to view the gym recently I was told that there was no lifeguard as its only 4ft deep. I am very unhappy about this as my understanding is that anybody can drown in only a foot of water.

I dont think this is very secure.

Would anyone have any idea regarding the regulations on this as I am not happy with letting him into an unsupervised pool.

Re: lifeguard

Doesn't clarify but may be the place to start...

[broken link removed]
Swim Ireland

Had a look at the link provided by Clubman and was surprised by the lack on info. Plenty there on how to become a lifeguard, water quality, funding local authorities, hygiene, fire exits etc - but no info on pool safety requirements - typical of our Govt/LA bodies - the most important details are left vague, ambiguous or just missing!

Mir2001: When you spoke to the sales guy, did you specifically ask about lifeguards/pool safety? As you suggest, one can drown in a shallow pool, in fact a hell of a lot less than 4 ft.

IMHO, a lot depends on the pool size, occupancy and supervision. Non -Lifeguard pool supervisors might deal with most emergencies in water of this depth, but I'd hate to see someone untrained deal with an emergency involving someone heavy, or in major panic/distress. While some pools operate without lifeguards, ALL should have personnel trained in CPR on duty AT ALL TIMES.

If your discussion with the sales guy gave you false or misleading information then you may be entitled to a full refund. I suggest that you ask:
Are there personnel trained in CPR on duty whenever the pool is open?
Are there defibrillators on the premises?
Are staff trained & certified in their use?
Are there any qualified lifeguards on the staff?
Ask to see their emergency plan/protocol.
If the answers aren't positive, then I suggest walking, with or without the cash.

And, by the way, for those of you who use a gym, even without a pool........YOU need to be asking those questions too!! SCA - sudden cardiac arrest - is pretty common and there are a lot of fast buck fitness merchants out there!

[Ex-lifeguard (in a dim and distant past) but currently CPR & defib certified]

If I recall correctly many of the hotel swimming pools that I have frequented had no lifeguard on duty. I seem to recall notices to this effect too. This leads me to suspect that there is no legal obligation to have a lifeguard on duty all or possibly any of the time.

ClubMan said:

This leads me to suspect that there is no legal obligation to have a lifeguard on duty all or possibly any of the time.

Click to expand...

I'm out of the Life-saving loop now, but this my understanding also, hence my earlier suggestion that, when enquiring about membership of a pool or gym or combination, that you ask at least these very relevant questions:
Are there personnel trained in CPR on duty whenever the pool is open?
Are there defibrillators on the premises?
Are staff trained & certified in their use?
Are there any qualified lifeguards on the staff?

Any decent sports centre or gym will have all these. There's little use in finding out the answer after the event.

Along with the incidents we have all read in the papers, I am personally aware of three incidents in the past 6 months where CPR/Defibrillation was necessary. One was fatal - no trained personnel or defib available. In both other cases, rapid CPR and defibrillation saved the lives of the individuals.

Apologies if this has taken on a bit of a rant - I feel VERY strong on this one - but this IS a matter of life and death!

Hi Marathon man,
Its good that you feel really strongly as I do too and I will be prepared to walk away regardless of money.

Unfortunately I didnt ask those questions but i hope other people see this and ask. I was a member of a hotel pool complex as a kid and back then there was always a trained lifeguard on duty.

I'm going to call and put those questions to the club so many thanks for your contributions.