I'd planned a massive Saturday morning swim today at the Y, but I'm here on the couch blogging because there's a thunderstorm in progress. A few years ago the Y started closing the pool (indoors) during lightning. After all these years. All of a sudden.
How many of you practice at facilities where the pool closes down in lightning storms?
Is there a good reason for this?
Have we all been risking our lives for the last 50 years?
Just wondering!
Parents
Former Member
The American Red Cross Lifeguard standards:
"In the event of thunder or lightning, lifeguards should:
Clear everyone from the water at the first sound of thunder or first sight of lightning. Lifeguards in an elevated station should get down immediately. Move everyone to a safe area. For outdoor facilities, move everyone inside. Large buildings are safer than smaller or open structures, such as picnic shelters or gazebos.
Keep patrons & staff our of showers & locker rooms suring a thunderstorm. Water & metal can conduct electricity.
Refrain from using a telephone connected to a land-line except in an emergency
Keep everyone away from windows & metal objects (e.g., doorframes, lockers).
Keep watching for more storms & monitor weather reports on a braodcast radio or weather radio."
"The National Lightning Safety Institute recommends waiting 30 minutes after the sound of thunder is heard before resuming activities" www.lightningsafety.com/
The American Red Cross Lifeguard standards:
"In the event of thunder or lightning, lifeguards should:
Clear everyone from the water at the first sound of thunder or first sight of lightning. Lifeguards in an elevated station should get down immediately. Move everyone to a safe area. For outdoor facilities, move everyone inside. Large buildings are safer than smaller or open structures, such as picnic shelters or gazebos.
Keep patrons & staff our of showers & locker rooms suring a thunderstorm. Water & metal can conduct electricity.
Refrain from using a telephone connected to a land-line except in an emergency
Keep everyone away from windows & metal objects (e.g., doorframes, lockers).
Keep watching for more storms & monitor weather reports on a braodcast radio or weather radio."
"The National Lightning Safety Institute recommends waiting 30 minutes after the sound of thunder is heard before resuming activities" www.lightningsafety.com/
