HYDROTHERAPY POOL OPERATING PROCEDURES. Pool Details

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Arlene Eleanor McDowell
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HYDROTHERAPY POOL OPERATING PROCEDURES Pool Details Delamere pool is a single hydrotherapy pool complex. The pool size is approximately 4m x 4.0 m x 0.

1 HYDROTHERAPY POOL OPERATING PROCEDURES Pool Details Delamere pool is a single hydrotherapy pool complex. The pool size is approximately 4m x 4.0 m x 0.9m deep and is used for therapy as well as some splash sessions. The pool is situated next to the small hall and entry is gained internally through the small hall or externally through the Hydrotherapy entrance of the school. Normal Operating Procedures The pool is tested three times a day: before and after school and during the lunch break. The Site Manager is responsible for the maintenance of the pool in association with Geo Aqua and Trafford Metropolitan Council. Classes will be notified if the pool is out of action prior to entering the pool area. Any faults/problems must be recorded by notifying the site manager by using the Site Manager s request form by the end of the session. At least one adult who has a current First Aid certificate must be in the pool area during every splash session to act as lifesaver. Pool Details Pool entry is either by gently graded steps using a hand rail or by the ceiling or transporter hoist. The pool is maintained within the ranges of degrees centigrade. The outside temperature will be 1 degree higher than the water. See below for the room layout and panic alarms.

2 POOL AREA POOL PLANT ROOM FIRST AID KIT Shower wc Changing Room Changing Room Changing Room KEY: Emergency Call Points: The rescue equipment (throw ropes/spinal board) are located on the side of the pool and must always be accessible. A First Aid Kit/space blankets are located in the store next to the entrance. No outdoor shoes are allowed in the pool area. Shoes must either be removed before entering the pool area or over shoe covers used. These can be found just inside the door of the pool area. Bather loads The maximum number of bathers at any one time must not exceed six persons inclusive of staff. It is the teacher s/therapist decision, using their knowledge of the pupils to determine the maximum number of swimmers in a session, according to the needs of the pupils. Rules for Operating Ratio of adults to children must be pre-assessed before the session starts. The needs of the pupil including their behaviour and any medical condition must be taken into account. There must be a minimum of two adults in the pool area when there are children using the

3 pool (i.e one adult in the pool and one poolside) plus additional staff to help with changing, transporting etc where required. Before the session, all adults must be clear of their roles and what to do in the event of an emergency Staff must be aware of the pupils medical conditions, including epilepsy before the start of the session and staff allocated accordingly Staff to be first on and first off poolside Staff to check rescue aids and first aid equipment before each session Children wearing grommets may not enter the water unless medically authorized by a health professional Swim nappies must be worn as necessary to avoid pool contamination. Usual hygiene procedures must be followed when changing pupils. Only use equipment and toys provided for the pool in the water as some plastics breed Leptospirosis Remove and replace the pool cover at the beginning and each of each session. Do not allow anyone to walk on this cover. Drinking water can be taken into the pool area in clean and non-spill containers. In the event of an emergency, call for help using the panic alarm Rules for pupils Enter pool area quietly Clean swim wear must be worn Toilet to be used before entering the pool Swim nappy to be worn if appropriate Noses to be kept clean When in the pool, stay in the water until asked to leave No running on poolside No food No diving No unsupervised jumping Listen to staff Potential Hazards STRUCTURAL/EQUIPMENT HAZARDS: Foreign bodies being brought onto the poolside area on the soles of shoes All outdoor footwear to be removed when entering the pool area or over shoe covers used Floors can be slippery when wet. Be aware of the surface and walk The handrail leading into the pool can be slippery when wet. Be aware of this. The lip surrounding the edge of the pool is raised. Be aware of this. Transporter hoist on poolside can move across the pool. Care to be taken to avoid bumping into it. Make others aware when this is in use.

4 Wheelchairs and other pool equipment on poolside. Care must be used. Poor acoustics in pool area. Use clear signing and communication, remind children to be quiet. Temperature in the pool area is warm and can cause de-hydration. Be aware of this. Bring a bottle of water to the session. PEOPLE HAZARDS: To be considered before bathers enter the water Individuals with medical conditions which need frequent monitoring and/or support Familiarise yourself with medical conditions before the session, ensure a sufficient ratio of staff:pupils and ensure everyone is aware of emergency procedures. Responding to a pupil feeling unwell. If pupil feels unwell, contact the School Nurse immediately, if it is necessary to leave the pool area ensure sufficient staff remain for the session. TEACHING/SUPERVISION HAZARDS: Feeling unwell yourself. If you feel unwell yourself inform another member of staff present and report to a First Aider. Staff to ensure appropriate cover is provided or end the session. A loss of concentration due to fatigue and/or the high ambient and water temperature in the pool. In event of this happening inform other staff present immediately and seek First Aid assistance. Staff to ensure sufficient staffing to continue the session Frustration caused by challenging or difficult pupils. Ensure sufficient levels of staffing matched to needs of pupils, ensure not too many pupils in lesson causing high levels of waiting, remind pupils of rules, remove pupils if they present a risk. Becoming distracted by administrative duties, problem sorting with equipment, pupil problems on poolside, personal needs of pupils, noise etc. Ensure sufficient levels of staffing to allow focus on the pupils and water. Staff on poolside must not be distracted by external demands. All minor incidents must be reported to the Site Manager by to ensure this list of potential hazards is logged, current and reflective of the risks involved in the use of the pool. Emergency Action Plan In the event of an emergency, a dry member of staff must activate the panic alarm and be available to tell the nature of the emergency to the arriving staff. In the event of the panic alarm being pressed in the pool complex, this will sound in reception. At least two members of staff will come in support. Of these two members of staff, one will call the emergency services as required and one will remain to help with the emergency as required. The following procedures apply to these emergencies in the pool: Casualty in the pool

5 Casualty on poolside Casualty in the changing room Staff as casualty a) The trained staff will conduct and co-ordinate the rescue. b) Staff to follow their allotted tasks, as agreed at the beginning of the session. c) Staff and pupils to leave the water at the earliest and safest opportunity. d) Staff to remove pupils away from the pool side as calmly and quickly as possible and move to an appropriate area within the pool complex. e) In the event of emergency evacuation, staff and pupils to use the unwrapped emergency space blankets located in the store to keep themselves warm. f) The first aider to remain with the casualty until emergency services arrive g) Reception staff will inform parents/carers as required at the time, with the Headteacher or Deputy to provide follow up contact. h) All staff involved in the emergency will be given time after the incident to talk it through and support. Seizure in pool After the panic alarm is activated, staff will support the casualty in the water, away from the sides until the seizure has subsided (within the safe time limits). If the safe time limits are exceeded then emergency medication needs to be administered. Land the casualty and deal with this according to the child s individual procedures. Suspected spinal injury Stabilise the casualty, moving as little possible using the spinal board provided which can be found poolside. Ambulance service to be told possibility of spinal injury. Fire at the pool Raise the fire alarm (call point located by main entrance door). Everyone to leave by fire exit, using space blankets and move calmly to the muster point at the front of school using the hydropool fire exit. Usual fire evacuation procedures to be followed. Fire in school building Upon hearing the fire alarm, follow usual school evacuation procedures as above Structural failure In the unlikely event of dangerous structural failure occurring (ie ceiling collapsing) evacuate the pool area as quickly as possible, pressing the panic button if there is time. Extreme pupil behaviour Use panic alarm to call for help, remove swimmers from pool and poolside as safely and quickly as possible. Excrement in pool All swimmers to leave pool, remove excrement with net, inform site manager as

6 soon as possible, inform next users that pool is out of action. Depending on the severity of contamination, the site manager may shock dose the pool. Policy Approved February 2016

Normal Operation of the Swimming Pool

Normal Operation of the Swimming Pool SEPTEMBER 2013 Supervision The swimming teacher (or session supervisor) has overall responsibility for the supervision and general safety of all those using the pool