Recently, my home YMCA has decided to band the use of Noodles during family/open swim times. They cite the floating foam (which can be used as a reaching assist, be used as an instructional aid, fun "thingy", etc. if used properly) as a "safety hazard". Not only is the ban news to me, so is the "hazard" label. Our pool always has at least 2 lifeguards (for a 6 lane, 25 yd pool) during the open swim times and requires that parents/guardians remain in the immediate area - if not in the pool - with their children.
I think my aquatics department has been hijacked by two non-swimmers who are too busy making up crimes to focus on real issues such as inceased times/lanes for competitive swimmers, monitoring pool temps & chemicals, etc.
My questions are:
How many other facilities have banned such fun floating objects?
What types/kinds of accidents have you experienced with the Noodle?
Do you think they have a basis for their decision?
ps. The facility stocks and uses the banned items during swim lessons and exercise classes.
Parents
Former Member
The pool I swam in when I was growing up had a no flotation policy (and had guards posted every 25yds or so, big pool).
I don't like floats for kids unless they've already shown they can swim. I've seen too many little kids, balancing on a noodle, fall off and not be able to get up to the surface. And many non-swimming parents don't see the danger.
The only save I've ever seen was of a 10 yr old girl who floated into the deep end of a hotel pool and fell off whatever she was floating on. Her parents were at the other end of the pool and didn't notice. No guard, except for my friend who was there on vacation and figured out she was drowning and did the save.
Call me a wet blanket. Floats are fun, but not when used for flotation.
The pool I swam in when I was growing up had a no flotation policy (and had guards posted every 25yds or so, big pool).
I don't like floats for kids unless they've already shown they can swim. I've seen too many little kids, balancing on a noodle, fall off and not be able to get up to the surface. And many non-swimming parents don't see the danger.
The only save I've ever seen was of a 10 yr old girl who floated into the deep end of a hotel pool and fell off whatever she was floating on. Her parents were at the other end of the pool and didn't notice. No guard, except for my friend who was there on vacation and figured out she was drowning and did the save.
Call me a wet blanket. Floats are fun, but not when used for flotation.
