G. Emergency preparedness and drills.
1. All Pools must have an accessible emergency telephone located in the Pool area. The telephone must be able to dial directly for emergency assistance.
2. Water activity emergency drills must be conducted at least once a month in any month during which the water activity participation occurs. These drills must be conducted according to policies and procedures, which include the use of safety equipment, Child evacuation, routine methods of ensuring all Children are present, and emergency contacts.
3. The facility must keep a written record of the type, date, time and duration of the training and drills.
H. Staff-Child ratios during water activities. Staff-Child ratios must be maintained at all times during swimming and wading.
1. Wading Pool attendants may count toward staff-Child ratios. Water safety attendants, Certified Lifeguards, and swimming instructors do not count toward staff-Child ratios. Water safety attendants and Certified Lifeguards must be stationed outside and next to the swimming Pool.
2. When three or fewer Children are in the swimming Pool, a water safety attendant may be included in staff-Child ratios. The water safety attendant must be solely responsible for supervision of the Children in the swimming Pool.
3. If the Pool is more than four feet deep at any point, only providers who are able to swim may be counted in the staff-Child ratios.
I. Swimming pools. Providers with swimming Pools on the Premises must be familiar with emergency procedures, the use of safety equipment and emergency contacts.
1. Providers must complete a safety checklist on any day which a swimming activity occurs. A checklist will be supplied by the Department and must be signed by the individual responsible for swimming activities on that day.
2. Legible safety rules for the use of swimming Pools must be posted in a conspicuous location and must be read and reviewed weekly by each Staff Member responsible for the supervision of Children.
J. Off-site Pools or natural bodies of water. For water activities away from the Premises, regardless of whether a Certified Lifeguard is on duty, the Provider must provide one water safety attendant.
1. Certified Lifeguards must not be counted as water safety attendants.
2. Water activities in natural bodies of water must be limited to a specific area established by the Provider by visual barriers on land and in the water.
3. Water safety attendants must not be counted in staff-Child ratios. Additional staff must be present to complete staff-Child ratio requirements.
4. A Provider that offers water activities at natural bodies of water or in Pools over 24” deep must give written notice to each Child’s Parent or Legal Guardian that there will be no Certified Lifeguard on duty.
5. At least two Staff Members who are 18 years of age or older must be present at all times during water activities at natural bodies of water.
K. Non – swimmers. All Non-swimmers must be clearly identified as Non-swimmers in a way that is visually and easily recognized by Providers, Staff Members, water safety attendants and Certified Lifeguards as applicable.
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