Concussion, pool management and lifeguard responsibilities

Former Member
Former Member
For the past sixteen months, I have lived in a town where there is only one swimming pool option-- the local YMCA. I have the typical complaints about this (warm water, crowded lanes), but recently my chief complaint has become the unsafe environment. Just over a week ago, I ended up with a concussion after someone swam into me head-to-head. While this occurred, the lifeguard was chatting with another employee. The accident occurred when a known "problem swimmer" informed my lane-mate that he needed to start circle swimming. An inexperienced swimmer, he began to do so immediately, but without my knowing. After the collision, I called out the lifeguard on not doing anything, and was asked what I expected her to do (in the event she had actually been paying attention). I said, "blow your whistle!" To which she responded, "no one listens when I do that." I later spoke with the lifeguard manager, who said the same thing. Additionally the manager claims that guards have tried to talk to the problem swimmer in the past, but she will not listen to them. I have seen this woman intentionally swim into people rather than inform them she is getting in their lane. When asked what the repercussions to her would be, should she continue to ignore the lifeguards, I was told "well we can't kick anyone out of the Y." I have had numerous other incidents in the past. For example, the lifeguard once allowed someone to tread water in the middle of a lane with four circle swimmers. Another time I slammed into a man's rear end coming out of a flip turn. (I have no idea why/how he was there.) And on a daily basis, there is zero oversight to how people join lanes, meaning you never know when someone (who is inevitably nowhere near your pace) will appear in your lane. As I lay on my couch recuperating, I contemplate if anything will ever change. It is frustrating to know that if the lifeguard had done something, I would not currently have recurring headaches, sensitivity to light, and difficulties with my equilibrium. Hopefully, my symptoms will improve in the near future but I cannot help but think my concussion was avoidable. My questions are: what are realistic expectations of a lifeguard? To whom are they accountable? Who is responsible for teaching swim etiquette? Who is responsible for keeping swimmers safe? Who is responsible for organizing compatible circle swimming lanes? Do people really not respond to blowing a whistle? If this were an isolated event, I would probably be more forgiving. But the fact is that the lifeguards are frequently socializing, drinking coffee, or staring off. I thought their responsibility was the safety of the swimmers? I look forward to swimming again once I am symptom-free, but I do have some lingering reservations. I would also like to use this incident as a wake-up call to the YMCA management, but am not sure how to do so. (Or am I being too quixotic?) I filled out accident and incident report forms after the event, but there has been no follow-up. I would love to find a new pool, but there aren't any options so I am stuck. Any thoughts or suggestions?
  • I have similar issues when I swim at the Y during general lap swim sessions. I'm always on the lookout for those rogue swimmers who end up in your lane without a notice. People tend to notice me and know that I'm more advanced that 99% of them at my YMCA pool...thus they try to get into the other lane. But there are a few exceptions. I don't mind sharing/splitting a lane with anyone, regardless of their skill level. I know they're out there for basically the same reason as me...to get some swimming exercise done. Problem is when the 3rd (or 4th) person joins the lane. Depending on who it is, or what they're all doing, I get frustrated too. I have to basically drop what I was doing, and either go to a kick set with board so I can visually see where people are, or get out entirely. When I first get there, I typically get right into my main set, so I don't have to screw around wasting time with a long drawn out warmup. If I'm moving at a pretty good pace, and not stopping a lot, people tend to avoid me altogether. I'm planning to get in a swim later today at the Y prior to the big game. Hopefully no one else has the same idea.
  • This is an amazing disaster.The LifeGuards don't have control because they aren't trying.What are the requirements to lifeguard there? Who is responsible?Who is legally responsible?The life guards must have the right to kick someone out of the pool or at least give them a timeout.The lifeguards think they have no authority so they don't.I think you have a pretty good lawsuit for negligence(but I'm not a lawyer.)I doubt you want to sue,but it might help if they knew how liable they were.
  • Well, after writing my earlier post, I did in fact go to the Y to swim this afternoon. During the swim, the next lane over got 3 people in it, and of course, two of them understood what circle swimming was. Well, the (approximately) 70+ year old lady who was lap swimming since the lanes opened at 1:00, was the one who didn't understand too well. She and another younger guy collided heads together...nothing too serious today, but it could have been. I noticed it happening, as did my lanemates as we were on the wall at the time. The two guards on deck had no idea anything had happened. They were more concerned with the 1/2 of the pool with public swim in it..."cause that's the bigger potential for danger". Whatever. Every person in the water has to be protected, no matter what they're doing. I asked the head guard about the circle swimming 'non-policy' when there is 3 or more per lane, and she said they're working on it. (I'm actually good friends with her so had no problem asking). She went into the office and got the paper that had already been written up, and showed it to me. They were just waiting for the language on it to get APPROVED by the YMCA first. One part on it that I liked was something like: "if you don't feel like circle swimming when 3 or more swimmers are in the lap lanes, then you need to get out of the lap lanes." :D But the biggest part of having the policy, is also enforcing it, and getting people to understand to somewhat organize themselves by ability level.
  • This is really horrible -- I hope you get better soon. I have had some problems at my YMHA with someone (an adult) who insists on jumping into the lap lane in the deep end when I am swimming by. She didn't hit me but she came pretty close. I found that the Executive Director and the Chief of Operations of the Y here are very sensitive to safety/liability issues even if the pool people always aren't. I would bet (and hope) that if you went to the leadership of your Y, above the lifeguard manager, and they learned that a swimmer had had a concussion during lap swimming, things would change. I am also not a lawyer but I agree with Allen, this environment is just a lawsuit waiting to happen. Get better soon!
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    It sounds to me like there is a real problem at this pool. A concussion is no joke. The idea that a "problem swimmer" is just allowed to run amok because it's too hard to change is disturbing. I found an online version of the Red Cross Lifeguard Supervisor training manual (www.redcross.org/.../m3240080_LifeguardManagement.pdf) which says this: The primary responsibility of a lifeguard is to ensure patron safety and protect lives—including their own. The most important duty the lifeguard has in meeting that responsibility is patron surveillance—keeping a close watch over people in the facility. Lifeguards can also help to protect patrons by: - Preventing injuries by minimizing or eliminating hazardous situations or behaviors. - Enforcing facility rules and regulations and educating patrons about them. - Recognizing and responding quickly and effectively to all emergencies. It sounds like you have tried to talk to the lifeguard manager without success. I would try going the next level up with your concerns regarding the matter.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Ekw, the Red Cross excerpt is interesting and potentially useful, thank you. I was just at the Y for some doctor-approved stationary biking and got the name of the lifeguard manager's supervisor. Hopefully I can have a conversation with her in the near future.
  • I give you credit for taking up the cause. I gave up swimming at Y's years ago. It was like beating your head against a fortified brick wall. Set your outcome expectations very low and then you might be happy with the results.
  • I can't figure out why people have so much trouble w the concept of circle swimming. I mean... even when i started swimming again after a 25 year layoff logic told me to stay to the right if someone else was in the lane. I mean it just makes sense. Not necessarily. If there are only two people in a lane some people would prefer to split the lane. Especially when the two people are doing completely different workout or are swimming at very different speeds. When three people are in the lane it is obvious that circle swimming is a must, but sometimes that third person gets in and starts swimming before the other two know about their presence. As far as the lifeguards' responsibilities, my opinion is they need to intervene when it's a matter of safety. People colliding in the middle of the pool definitely qualifies. On the other hand I don't think it's the lifeguards' job to settle many of the squabbles that occur during lap swimming.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    I can't figure out why people have so much trouble w the concept of circle swimming. I mean... even when i started swimming again after a 25 year layoff logic told me to stay to the right if someone else was in the lane. I mean it just makes sense. Apparently its lost on some people. The only people who ever ask me if that's how we are going to do it are either coaches who are doing lessons for a kid or well... that's about it. Some guy the other day looked at me crazy when i said why don't we circle swim... I think one of the rules at usms is to always circle... its just like dirving a car... stay to the right...
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    We had a similar problem with a swimmer who swam very aggressively and refused to listen to anyone - coach or swimmer. Several injuries were caused through carelessness/ thoughtlessness/bloodymindedness It was stopped when the club received a letter from a concerned swimmer, to check they had properly advised insurers of the various "incidents" involving this one swimmer, since of course if there wasnt full disclosure then the club insurance might well be invalidated and refuse to pay out on a future claim caused by said individual, and the club personnel might find themselves personally liable .......... all such behaviour was immediately stopped ... and then the swimmer went away......
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