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Emergency response plan

Emergency response plan

Rule 325.2194a requires a public swimming pool owner to develop an emergency response plan for rescues and submersions, equipment failure, injury requiring medical attention, and other conditions or events that create a hazard to the health and safety of persons using the pool.

Rule 325.2194a also requires an emergency response plan for other conditions or events that create a hazard to the health and safety of persons using the pool. This plan needs to be tailored to fit the specific pool, but there are a few conditions or events that might apply to most pools. These would include severe weather warnings (high winds for outdoor pools, lightning, tornadoes, intense rain or snow for outdoor pools), fire, bomb threat, power outages, and contamination of the pool water by some substance or chemical other than bodily fluids or sewage. For all of these situations, the plan should indicate the pool will be immediately closed, and, if appropriate, the patrons advised of a safe location where they can go. Further, the plan should indicate, for each condition or event, when the pool can be re-opened, the treatment protocol and times of pool closure, and any other appropriate steps to be taken. Finally, the nature of the event or condition, time and date, and the response taken should be documented on the swimming pool operation report. 

These are suggestions for the basic elements of the plan in each of these categories.

Rescues and submersions

  1. The first step is to assist the victim in leaving the pool, if possible, through the use of a reach pole, ring buoy and line, spineboard, or other appropriate means. Where personnel have not been trained in first aid, it may be appropriate not to remove the victim from the water and only assist the victim in reaching the side of the pool and in keeping their head above water until trained medical personnel arrive. This would be especially appropriate where a head, neck, or spinal injury may have occurred.
  2. Summon emergency medical assistance, if appropriate, and have qualified personnel administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or artificial 
    resuscitation, if needed. The emergency response plan should contain telephone numbers for obtaining emergency medical assistance.
  3. The pool should be cleared of all bathers, closed, and carefully searched for other potential victims. The victim’s name and a description of the incident should be obtained from the victim or witnesses along with the names of witnesses.
  4. The pH and concentration of free disinfectant residual in the pool water should be checked along with water clarity, and this information entered into the swimming pool operation report form.
  5. Treatment of the pool deck or water in the pool is the next priority when there is a discharge of bodily fluids. The discharge of bodily fluids is to be assumed if the victim is unconscious. The treatment of the pool should follow the appropriate section in the contingency plan.
  6. An important part of the process is to conduct a critical review of procedures and conditions at the time of the incident and note where changes or improvements could be made that might have prevented the incident. Make any necessary changes in the plan. Training of facility personnel in first aid and CPR is encouraged prior to an emergency occurring. Further, training of all personnel in the location of pool safety equipment, and the proper use of such equipment is likewise encouraged.
  7. Finally, the information should be placed on an incident report form and copies submitted to the local health department and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Equipment failure

  1. The pool is to be closed should there be a failure in any of the pool piping or treatment equipment (pump, filter, chemical feeder). Should other equipment fail, there may be a need to close the pool depending on whether the failure of the equipment poses a safety hazard. For example, if one of the main drain covers were to fail, a safety hazard would exist without a cover over the main drain, the failure would thus constitute a safety hazard, and the pool would need to be closed.
  2. Repair or replace the failed equipment with the same size, make, and model number as shown on the pool plans approved by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Contact the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and obtain approval before installing any equipment that is not on the approved plans. 
  3. Before re-opening the pool for usage, the water quality must be checked and returned to state standards, if appropriate. 
  4. The equipment failure and corrective action taken should be noted on the swimming pool operation report along with the time the problem was first noted, the corrective action taken, and the time the pool was re-opened.

Injury requiring medical attention

  1. The first step is to assist the victim in leaving the pool, if possible, through the use of the reach pole, ring buoy and line, spineboard, or other appropriate means. Where personnel have not been trained in first aid, it may be appropriate not to remove the victim from the water and only assist the victim in reaching the side of the pool and in keeping their head above water until trained medical personnel arrive. This would be especially appropriate where a head, neck, or spinal injury may have occurred. 
  2. Obtain the appropriate assistance and medical treatment for the victim.
  3. The victim’s name and a description of the incident should be obtained from the victim or witnesses along with the names of witnesses.
  4. The pool should be closed and treated for contamination if there were a discharge of bodily fluids into the pool. The time and action taken should be noted on the pool monthly operation report.
  5. All of the information should be placed on an incident report form. If emergency medical assistance were required, copies of the report should be submitted to the local health department and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.