Swiminar 2013Southern Nevada Health District

Presented by:Jacquelyn Raiche-Curl

Environmental Health Supervisor

Special Events

• Any event that deviates from the traditional use of the pool or pool enclosure– May involve increased capacity– Implementation of temporary structures in and

around the pool– Use of the deck area around the pool while the

pool itself is closed– May be recurring or a one time event

Special Events• Currently a separate permit is not required for

this type of operation from the Aquatic Health Program– Events involving food and beverage service Must have

the proper permitting in place prior to the start of the event (759-0588)

• Any event open to the public held poolside will require at least one lifeguard to be present.

• It is strongly advised that you notify the Aquatic Health Program in advance of your planned event to ensure that appropriate health and safety measures are addressed to protect your patrons.

How to properly notify the Health District

• It is important that when planning these events intended to take place inside the pool and spa enclosure that the Aquatic Health Program is notified separately from the Food Section.

• To contact the Aquatic Health Section directly:– Call 759-0571 or 759-0611– Email: raiche-curl@snhdmail.org

Pool PartiesAreas of Concern

• Adequate Lifeguard Coverage Must Be Provided in all pools

• Pools < 2000 sq ft a minimum of one lifeguard must be present and at least one elevated lifeguard chair/ stand– The major casino properties with club style pools

were provided with a letter outlining the specific requirements associated with this category of pool.

Lifeguard?

Pool PartiesAreas of Concern

• Food and Beverage inside the pools and spas– This creates a problem with maintaining the

proper water chemistry– May create turbid water– Encourages bathers to urinate in the communal

water– Creates an increased potential for accidents

involving individuals who have over indulged with alcohol consumption

Appropriate beverage containers to be used poolside

Pool PartiesAreas of Concern

• Water Clarity– Must be able to see the bottom of all bodies of

water whenever people have access to the area.– Turbidity can lead to a variety of injuries ranging

from tripping hazards or cuts and abrasions from things dropped into the pool that can’t be seen to loss of life

– Turbidity is also a sign that the pool filtration and disinfection system have been overloaded which greatly increases the risk of spreading disease

Moderate turbidity

How your water should look

Major turbidity YUCK

Microbial Soup

Pool PartiesAreas of Concern

• Continued maintenance of proper water chemistry– The designed system is likely to become strained

due to:• Increased bather load - # of bodies in the pool/ spa• Improper bathing attire – street clothes• Increased organic matter being introduced into the

pool/ spa (food & beverage) as well as waste elimination from bathers (urine)

– System overload is a major contributor to water clarity issues

System Overload – too many bathers – water turbid

Additional Safety Concerns

• Proper response to Fecal Contamination– Party or no party – it is imperative that any and

every fecal incident is properly responded to1. Evacuate everyone from the water IMMEDIATELY2. Physically remove as much of the material as possible3. Follow the CDC’s guidelines for proper disinfection

following a fecal incident– For a formed stool – raise the free available chlorine to at

least 2.0 ppm and the pH @ 7.5 remain closed for 30 min.– Loose stool – YOU ARE DONE FOR THE DAY!!!

CDC Guidelines

Additional Safety Concerns

• Electrical hazards• Deck obstructions• Glass in the pool area

Absolutely unacceptable Broken Glass = Immediate Closure & Mandatory draining of pool

Electrical Hazards

Deck Obstructions

How can lifeguards perform a water rescue and administer CPR?No place to put the victim.

Additional Safety Concerns

• Dehydration – sufficient and convenient water distribution areas– Onsite EMS is a good thing but prevention of

dehydration and other heat injury symptoms is better

• Visibility issues on events after dark –insufficient area and underwater lighting

• Overcrowding – crowd mentality

Contact Information

Jacquelyn Curl Environmental Health Supervisor

Aquatic Health Program(702) 759-0574 or (702) 759- 0611

raiche-curl@snhdmail.org