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
Children who don't know how to swim should not be allowed to use noodles. Our life guards have to approve floatation devices for children before they can be used. In general, if the child has to hold to it to float, it isn't approved, only floatation devices that the child can not slip out of are approved.
Rafts can be very scarry too. About 15 or 16 years ago, a child snuck into the pool where I swim... unaccompained by an adult of course... the child could not swim, but got in an inflatable boat/raft type of toy. It turned over in the deep end (15 ft). The overturned boat/raft toy blocked the guard's view and he drowned.
No matter how many rules you make to protect people someone, sometimes a child who doesn't have to capasity to think ahead to the dangers yet, will break rules with dire consequences.
Children who don't know how to swim should not be allowed to use noodles. Our life guards have to approve floatation devices for children before they can be used. In general, if the child has to hold to it to float, it isn't approved, only floatation devices that the child can not slip out of are approved.
Rafts can be very scarry too. About 15 or 16 years ago, a child snuck into the pool where I swim... unaccompained by an adult of course... the child could not swim, but got in an inflatable boat/raft type of toy. It turned over in the deep end (15 ft). The overturned boat/raft toy blocked the guard's view and he drowned.
No matter how many rules you make to protect people someone, sometimes a child who doesn't have to capasity to think ahead to the dangers yet, will break rules with dire consequences.
