posted
Quick background: I'm a lifeguard, and recently got a gig as the guard for the institution where I work. They have a little 10 m. pool, about 6 ft deep. The folks have all sorts of abilities and issues, many psychotic.
Here's the problem.
Well, I did my first guard stint on Sunday, and... yikes. Okay, first, the pool water can be warm and "theraputic" without the air temperature being a freaking sauna. I swear, it's unhealthy. The temp's got to go down. Second, I investigated the spinal boards, because they were looking a bit, um, dishevelled. Okay, dishevelled doesn't even BEGIN to cover it.
Sketchy? Not quite. Sub-par? Getting there. Downright dangerous and possibly illegal? Yep, that's where I'm at now. They have two boards. The wood on one is actually not too bad, it even has skids. The wood on the other is splintery, and the varnish is splintery (no skids). The straps on the okay-board (#1) are iffy, but might do - IF there was any semblence of a neck support. There's three straps, chest, hips, and legs, but no head strap. DUH. On crappy-board (#2), there are four straps, but they just slide through the slots in the sides, and I swear they haven't been touched in like a decade. The head strap, although there for the sake of appearances, really seems to wish it wasn't, and is making every attempt to escape. I was trying to sort it out (and it's sucky anyway) and part of it was literally crumbling away in my hand. Oh, and it's just a strap - no padding or support.
Heaven forbid (even more than usual) that I should ever need one of them. I'm the only one in the facility trained to use them, and frankly, a spinal boarding is complicated enough when you've got four trained guards and the victim is just faking and knows exactly what is going on anyway. Doing it with a struggling victim who can't comprehend it and rookie-staff to help, well, that's going to be bad enough with even the best equipment.
The bottom of the pool is gungy, and I didn't have time to fish the rusting screw off the bottom. The jets barely jet, and the pH and chlorine are low (acceptable, but low). And today someone came by the house to say that the pool first aid kits (both of them) were out of band-aides.
So I'm in a quandry. How much of a stink do I make? I don't feel safe guarding there. I know if something goes wrong, it's going to be on my head. If I make a written complaint (DEFINITELY GOIND TO), and they choose not to do anything, then I've covered my butt, but the situation will still be dangerous. If I make a big stink and insist on changes, I risk making real trouble for myself. I know what I need to do, but I hate making a stink.
Some of the things will be relatively easy, like getting band-aides. I might get them to clean the pool, and on a long shot I might convince them to lower the air temp.
But those boards. Firstly, does anyone know what the legal standards are for spinal boards? Does anyone know just how liable I am if despite my best efforts, the boards aren't good enough when I need them?
Posts: 2849 | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
I'd suggest making a big stink because liabilities notwithstanding, you still have to live with yourself if something goes wrong and you know you didn't do everything within your power to fix it.
If they don't want to take the necessary precautions, I'd even consider finding a different job.
posted
Yup, I'm with Trevor. When you're dealing with something that's potentially life-altering, it's worth making a stink over. This is one of those situations.
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
I've thought seriously about an ultimatum. Either they find money for a new board, or they lose a lifeguard. And I'm the only guard. They really really need me if they want to have anyone in the pool.
*sigh* We'll see how the written health&safety report goes over.
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posted
As a lifeguard of eight years and a total safety freak when it comes to anything water/pool related, I don't think that there is any way that I could keep the job unless they did some serious repairs. If something were to happen and someone were to get hurt and you could not adequately care for them (either because of your skills, which aren't in question, or because of equipment), blame will fall on your shoulders. It is up to you to ensure the safety of those in your area and that means keeping up on your skills and also ensuring, every day, that environment is a safe one in which patrons stand a reasonable chance of having a good time without getting themselves killed. I don't think that I could, in good conscience work for a place that had backboards in such poor conditions, knowing the importance of good in-line stabilization when moving a victim out of the water. I just don't think I could do it.
I'll step off my soap box now. Sorry for the mini-rant.
Posts: 340 | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
Not having any real clue about the issues beyond what you've typed, I agree with the others. Make a really big stink about this. Especially since you're apparently dealing with special needs residents who are more likely to need these issues rectified quickly and correctly.
Posts: 4515 | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
Liability shouldn't even enter into your mind at this point. As lifeguard, you are responsible for lives. If you don't have the equipment to do your job, you need to make them get it. If they won't give it to you, you need to quit, stating your reason in writing. Better they go without pool privileges than someone die needlessly.
If they let you quit, you then have to consider what you do if they just hire another lifeguard. I'm sure some agency regulates this place; it may be worth reporting it.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
It's such a bad situation. I'm not just a guard, I'm primarily a personal support worker in the same facility. The facility is having a rough time as it is, and the ministry is dithering over whther to close it or not. Really, it's nto a bad place, but ti's suffered from poor PR, and up until recently, a lack of care from anyone with money or power. If I suddenly quit, they won't have another lifeguard - they spent weeks looking for one before the memo permeated down to me.
Bah. I know what I have to do and I will do it. I guess I am/was kind of looking for affirmation that I'm not making a mountain out of a molehill, as I have a tendency to do. And I'm mad that this is the situation - what the hell was the former guard thinking, and what about the lady who runs a private swim school out of the place? What's going on here that this is left in such a bad state?
I really like this place, and this is the first time I've come across something that scared me like this, and I'm new, and this responsibility is all on me. Sorry for the self-pity here.
Posts: 2849 | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
not at all, Ali! it's an awful situation to be stuck in, especially as you generally like the place and now you have to criticise them for something quite severe, and as a new person at that...*hugs tightly*
Posts: 1158 | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
As a recent lifeguarding class graduate myself, I say "Make the BIGGEST possible stink about it." I would definitely not feel comfortable guarding in a facility like the one you're describing nor would I feel bad about quitting if the equipment and facility weren't up to par.
Posts: 3932 | Registered: Sep 1999
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posted
yes...positive is key...I said it earlier, but I'll mention it again...an ultimatum should be an absolute last resort...you can do this and do it well...prayers are with you
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posted
I would put all correspondence on paper. Give details about why the facility is inadequate and should not be used until it's brought up to spec, and then give details on exactly what needs to be done to correct the deficiencies. Make the letter as long as it needs to be to spell things out in all of its glorious detail.
Make sure you send a copy of the letter to all relevant people individually.
And keep a copy of all correspondence for your own files.
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
Paper trails are a great thing when it comes to this, BTW>
I was a lifeguard for years, and WSI trained as well.
Safety equiptment is a must, but I hate to tell you....spinal boards are expensive.
Be positive, but don't let them guilt you into keeping the pool open. Without proper gear you are all endangering the lives of the people who are using that pool, no doubt about it.
posted
I think it is great that you are a lifeguard, E.L. I've had a couple of lifeguards save my life when I was younger. (I still can't swim). I think it is wonderful that you notice all the dangers-- probably things most people don't even think about -- and are trying to bring them to light.
For the safety of the people you are trying to protect, I hope this gets resolved!
posted
Are you certified as a guard through the Red Cross? If you are, contacting the local office could help you out, too.
Posts: 14745 | Registered: Dec 1999
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I know boards are expensive, which is part of my nervousness. they'll be fine to do the easy stuff, like get some proper first aid kits and stuff, but a board actually costs money. My sister found a copy of the Heath and Promotion Act (Public Pools), but it's not much help. It just says that a pool needs a board, and nothing about what kind. I think I might do what Mack suggested, though, and contact them for some info.
I don't go in to guard again till Sunday, but I think I'll go into work a bit early today and ask to take a walk-round the pool and fill out the request forms. Don't worry, all, I plan to leave a paper trail a mile long, not matter what happens.
posted
So* a brief update in case anyone was wondering.
I went to talk to management today, found a person who has authority, and the person who is my most direct senior.
I expressed my concerns, and it seems like they really had no idea (what the hey was the old guard doing anyway?). I also discovered yesterday that there are absolutely zero written policies and procedures for the pool. This freaks me out even worse, because it basically means EVERYTHING is on my head.
I told them they have to write something, and quickly. In the meantime, I am going to make and display a few warning signs, such as "Lifeguard is not responsible for sole intervention in client agressions" and "All staff must be wearing a bathign suit or be prepared to enter pool in street clothes" and (in my head) "I'm here to guard, guys. Don't expect any more than that."
We'll see how things play out. As of now, I feel optimistic.
Posts: 2849 | Registered: Feb 2002
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![[Frown]](frown.gif)
I really like this place, and this is the first time I've come across something that scared me like this, and I'm new, and this responsibility is all on me. Sorry for the self-pity here.
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Don't worry, all, I plan to leave a paper trail a mile long, not matter what happens. ![[Kiss]](graemlins/kiss.gif)
