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POOL PARTIES
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Pool parties are for children who know how
to swim...period. Do not invite or allow children who cannot
swim. If everyone you want to invite cannot swim, plan
something else. If your child does not know how to swim - and
swim well - do not allow him/her to attend a pool party. (It's
a great incentive to learn how to swim.)
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Pool parties should be guarded by one or
more certified lifeguards. Additional parent supervisors and
watchers are a great idea, but do not take the place of lifeguards.
If you host a pool party, make sure that you have rescue equipment
and first aid supplies ready for use. If you attend a pool
party, check first for lifeguards and rescue equipment.
Pool Party Tips
Children's pool parties are the most fun when they are restricted to
invited guests. Younger and older siblings and tagalong neighbors
and friends increase the risk and diminish the fun for the guest of
honor.
My
recommendation is that you only have pool parties at commercial
facilities. I do not recommend that anyone take on the liability
of hosting a pool party at home - no matter how much fun you may think
your child will have.
All
of the other things that we have talked about tonight apply.
Usually at backyard pool parties doors are propped open breaching the
layers of protection. Often swimmers are allowed to drift from the
pool to the house or patio area for food and games. There is not a
SWIM TIME and a PLAY TIME and a PRESENT TIME.
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Host the party at a commercial facility
with certified lifeguards.
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Supplement the lifeguards with adult
supervisor/watchers.
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Keep the group small - six to ten is best
for parties where there is a guest of honor, up to twenty for a
group party. For teenage groups of over twenty, choose a
larger facility or water park.
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Invite only those who can swim...and
usually the kids who have the most fun are the ones who can also
stand up in the facility you are using. Check the water depth.
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Swim during designated swim times.
Have frequent rest breaks.
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It's not only ok, it is critical that you
not only check in advance to see if guests can swim, but have them
take a swim test when they arrive so you know what you are dealing
with.
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Exercise extreme caution with floats and
rafts. Even when everyone knows how to swim, you must have
enough lifeguards stationed to see all the way around floats and
rafts.
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Keep the party short. One hour is
plenty for swim time. Accidents happen when children are
tired.
Questions?
Click to ask Coach Neal.
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