DECEMBER 2011

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Check out products from some of the industry’s leading manufacturers and suppliers.

ONLINE BUZZ

Our “Deathly Shallows” feature on the dangers of shallow water blackout generated a lot of reader feedback. Here’s one example:
“Wow! I’ve been damn lucky over the years! I used to try to break my own breath holding record all the time when I was in a pool, and hyperbreathing was a standard thing I did. I knew that it was CO2 that triggered the ‘need to take a breath’ feeling, but didn’t realize that by cutting off that reflex, you risked the oxygen level getting low enough to black out. I used to be able to hold my breath for more than three minutes. I think some angels were looking out for me all those years! Never again for me!”

An AI Connect member asks: Do you hire out your lifeguards for private events? One reader seemed to sum up the responses:
“No, No! The liability is too high for us to be involved, and the interest for our facilities is either minimal or negative.”

Our news story entitled, “States Enact More Stringent Spraypark Regulations,” elicited a number of responses: Here’s one:
“Spray parks must also include more stringent regulations in shopping areas as well as those in recreational facilities, pools and waterparks. Sometimes shopping mall managers rely on their maintenance crews and are not aware of the possibilities of RWI or that they now are in the ‘pool’ business.”

An AI Connect member is concerned about the liability issues of having one lifeguard on duty at his facility and trying to make the case for more. Other pros gave plenty of ammunition:
“In any given serious drowning event, especially a spinal injury, the minimum number of responders required to effect an appropriate rescue and initiate care is two guards. So unless your facility requires that there be a supervisor in the building who is also a certified lifeguard who can react if called upon, you are exposing yourselves to possible liability.  Lifeguards have a duty to act and are required to provide a level of care that clearly includes safe extraction from the water which is impossible to do with an unconscious victim with only one lifeguard.”

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CALENDAR

January 16-20
Mid-America Pool & Spa Show
Schaumburg, Ill.
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January 19-21
Desert Pool & Spa Show
Phoenix, Ariz.
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January 21-29
Boot Dusseldorf (Intl. Boat, Marine & Water Sports Show)
Dusseldorf, Germany
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January 22
FINA Open Water Swim Grand Prix No. 1
Rosario, Argentina
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January 23-25
The American Lodging Investment Summit
Los Angeles, Calif.
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January 24-26
Atlantic City Pool & Spa Show
Atlantic City, N.J.
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Complete Calendar of Events