There is no better way to chill and beat the heat than having a pool party. A pool party could be hosted to celebrate a birthday, as a summer gathering, or even as a weekend getaway. Being one of the most preferred summer activities, this is a very much preferred event by both adults and children.
A pool party is all fun, and games till safety concerns in hand are looked up. Safety is a big matter to take into consideration while hosting a pool party. Reports show that it is one of the major causes of accidental death in Australia. Especially when it comes to children between ages 1-4, drowning is the major cause of death in the US. However, with proper planning and escalation, you can ensure that the fun of a pool party is not lost while implementing safety measures.
Tips to ensure a safe pool party
Although some might believe that implementing restrictions at a pool party can reduce the fun, it can help us ensure that the party doesn’t turn into a drowning event. Prioritizing safety can essentially ease the stress of hosting such events. Here are a few things you could consider while hosting a pool party and thus ensure that no fun falls back.
1. Pool Rules and Safety Briefing
To make a pool party enjoyable and avoid all possible havoc, establish clear-cut pool rules for everyone to follow. Inform all the party attendees regarding the depth of the pool. Give a good briefing regarding all the safety measures being adopted. Instruct them to avoid running around the pool and also pushing people into the pool. School Water Safety Broome provides a set of instructions that can be beneficially used as pool rules.
2. Swimming skill
Make sure that everyone attending a pool party is capable of good swimming skills. Offer adequate support and safety vests to whoever feels insecure while swimming or being in the pool. Aquatic Safety Training Academy provides the best mentoring for those willing to attain swimming skills.
3. Sun protection
Sunburns and tanning are often concerns among people attending pool parties and beaches during summer. Provide ample shade for rest. Ensure that all the guests are using sunscreen and instruct them to reapply at regular intervals. Sunburns and heat strokes can destroy all fun and be a painful ordeal.
4. Pool gears
Not all individuals may be equally skilled in swimming. However, everybody wants to enter the pool. To ensure that nobody misses out on the fun of a pool party, ensure that there are enough pool gear or flotation devices, such as inflatable rings or tubes, pool noodles, etc.
5. Pool hygiene and chemical monitoring
Regularly keep an eye on pool hygiene. Ensure the pool is always clean enough for use. Make sure that the chemical levels in the pool are safe enough. Especially when it comes to chlorine, an excessive level can lead to severe skin irritation. On the other hand, insufficient amounts can cause the growth of bacteria such as E.coli.
6. Illumination
Proper illumination in a pool surround is a necessity for parties that extend beyond evening or are held at night. Good illumination can help identify individuals in distress and prevent accidents. It can also evoke a sense of a safe pool environment.
7. Scheduled breaks
Set up pre-scheduled breaks when all the pool users are supposed to step out of the pool. Taking such a break can help prevent sunburn and also check pool safety. Ensure no harmful physical objects are left behind in the pool during this time. Especially when it comes to pool parties for kids, such breaks can also ensure that kids don’t get worn out easily.
8. Hydration
Individuals can easily get worn out from exhaustion from the heat of the sun and the energy spent in the pool. To keep up with lost energy and stay recharged, hydration is necessary. Set up an area for water and drinks for hydration. However, try to avoid extremely cold drinks in extremely sunny and hot atmospheres, as they could potentially cause a stroke.
9. Alcohol limiting
Consuming alcohol, even in the smallest quantity, is one of the biggest mistakes when at a pool party. The intoxication that alcohol can cause can either directly or indirectly have a harmful influence on the party people. At all costs, prevent whoever has consumed alcohol from entering pools to avoid drowning.
10. Pool buddy
Assign a pool buddy not just for kids but for every individual. However, make sure that every individual with comparatively less swimming skill gets a well-skilled pool buddy. This can help ensure that all individuals have one-on-one attention.
11. First aid and emergency management
Have a first aid kit with all necessities available. Note the location of the nearest emergency center. Ensure the presence of at least one individual in the party who is trained to perform CPR and knows basic first aid management.
12. Lifeguards and Drowning care
Appointing lifeguards is the key factor in ensuring safety at pool parties. The person appointed would be completely responsible for ensuring the complete safety of the attendees and would also be compatible with handling any risk that can arise during the event. School Water Safety Broome recommends that the idea of a pool buddy can help to keep individual attention in a fun way.
Lifeguards: Safeguarding Fun Pool Parties
A lifeguard can provide complete supervision of the event by acting as a water watcher. These individuals keep an eye on all attendees. By staying away from all sorts of distractions, they ensure that no individual goes unnoticed at any point within the pool premises. Aquatic Safety Training Academy in Australia provides resources and opportunities for lifeguard support.
We at West Coast Water Safety provide a comprehensive Pool Lifeguard Training Course in Perth with all the requirements to become a lifeguard. Pool Lifeguard Training Course Broome is also provided by us as a similar option for residents of Broome. Lifeguards are saviors in recognizing hazards in pools and water bodies. These individuals are well-trained to perform CPR and first aid in emergency management. Join us if you are planning to get trained as a lifeguard.