Articles
Avoiding Pool Chemical-Associated Health Events
05.10.2022
Aquatics International Intel by Solenis
Pool chemicals treat recreational water to prevent illnesses and outbreaks. These same chemicals, however, can also cause injuries if mishandled or used in an improperly configured commercial sanitization system. Having a well-configured sanitation system with fail-safe mechanisms can greatly reduce the potential for illness or injury, and these incidents can often be severe. For example, a fl…
Born of Necessity: New Practices from the COVID-19 Pandemic
05.10.2022
Aquatics International | Rebecca Robledo | April 2022
The COVID pandemic forced all kinds of changes to how aquatics professionals operated. Though most of these changes were temporary to meet restrictions, some facilities have found unexpected benefits, such as greater customer satisfaction and better staff communication, so they've chosen to keep a measure or two even after restrictions lifted. Here, two aquatics veterans explain some of these…
Developing a Common Language About Swimming Pool Color
05.10.2022
Aquatics International | Jonathan Dongell | April 2022
Understanding the lightness of a commercial pool’s interior finish is critical to bather safety. While many contributing factors exist, requiring a white or light-colored interior finish is the primary and long-established method of ensuring the visibility of a swimmer or bather in distress. This provides the contrast necessary to more easily see a person who needs help. This principle …
Devising Layers of Safety at Aquatics Facilities
05.10.2022
Aquatics International | Pete DeQuincy | April 2022
As summer approaches, it’s good to review your drowning-prevention measures. The four here are just a handful to include in a comprehensive drowning-prevention plan. A child-supervision policy is a fantastic practice to adopt if you have patrons with infants, toddlers, pre-school and school-age children. A child-supervision policy serves as a mechanism for lifeguards and staff to educate…
National Water Safety Plan Underway
05.10.2022
Aquatics International | Rebecca Robledo | April 2022
A comprehensive national plan to curb drowning in the U.S. is underway. The U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan comes in response to a recommendation from the World Health Organization that all countries figure out the best way to curb drowning in their area. So far a handful of countries have done so, including Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and South Africa. A plan in the U.S…
Swim Lessons in a Post-Pandemic World
05.10.2022
Aquatics International | Joanne McClain | April 2022
Now that COVID has eased up, things seem almost normal again. Mask mandates have been lifted, rush hour traffic is back to being maddening, and people are, for the most part, back to living their lives without being ruled by COVID fear. I'm so happy to be out and about, too, and have been spending some time at my local pool. In California, where I live, the swim season has started in earnest. …
Addressing the Lifeguard Shortage: Recruitment, Training and Retention
01.05.2022
Aquatics International | Pete DeQuincy | October 2021
I wish I could say, “We’re done with this COVID thing.” Or, “COVID-19 has left the building,” followed with a mic drop. But that’s not the case. Summer came and went. We did open on Memorial Day weekend; my agency prioritized recreational swimming for the public. Patron numbers initially were limited but, as summer continued, we expanded capacity numbers at …
NSF Standard Now Covers Safety Flooring
01.05.2022
Aquatics International | November 2019
NSF International is taking steps to make recreational splash parks and water venues safer. A new section of NSF/ANSI 50: Equipment and Chemicals for Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs and Other Recreational Water Facilities establishes minimum criteria for safety flooring at interactive water play venues. Considered the premier pool and spa safety standard, NSF/ANSI 50 is required by most commerci…
Why We Need to Change the Language Around Aquatic Fitness
01.05.2022
Aquatics International | Sue Nelson | October 2021
Asking a question is much better than assuming you know the answer. This is especially applicable in any aquatics business. Many times, we assume we know what is happening, but we may only know bits and pieces. An example: Let’s take aquatic exercise and how the average person views it. Even though aquatic exercise has evolved through the years, many people still assume it is not as bene…
How Splash Pad Design Can Encourage and Promote Inclusive Play
10.20.2021
Aquatics International | Chris Thomas | June 2021
In recent years, our industry has placed a premium on creating inclusive play areas not only in parks but also for aquatics facilities. We now are seeing many recreation departments, homeowner’s associations and community centers installing splash pads designed to welcome users with a wide range of developmental, cognitive and physical abilities. This also is meant to accommodate differe…
