February 4, 2026: Act in haste, repent in leisure
Greetings,
Last year when I went to Florida for StarGuard Elite's CAMP (an annual conference), it was cold enough that I regretted booking an apartment rental because we spent three days heating it with the oven in the kitchen since the building wasn’t winterized for real cold.
Fast forward to CAMP this year, I booked an expensive hotel to avoid this exact situation - the weather forecast on arrival was -4°C 🥶- but apparently hotels are also not thoroughly winterized in Florida. After traveling 15+ hours from Calgary, I didn't initially spot it, but the night clerk had brought an exterior standing heater (likely propane) into the lobby - something like this. Thankfully it wasn't on, and I told him using it was extremely really dangerous, but I feel like this is a topic worth resharing and launching from.
Three dead in suspected carbon monoxide poisoning
When people are cold, they make spontaneously bad decisions.
It could be a swim instructor who's been teaching lessons in-water for hours without an employer-supplied rash guard. It could be a lifeguard on stand in a drafty location without employer-supplied zip-up fleece. It could be a pool operator who's expected to go outside in the ice & snow regularly to access the pool mechanical room and there's no employer-supplied overcoat or poncho.
My action item for you this week is to actually walk the path of some of your team's daily tasks and ask yourself: what are the challenges that arise in different weather conditions? Rain, sleet, snow, extreme heat, fog, etc. Weather should not be a surprise - there's the same four seasons every single year - so purchasing supplies & equipment to remediate what will happen should be the organization's responsibility.
Not prioritizing safe & efficient work practices WILL create many situations where that haste of trying to save money will cause you to have to repent in leisure when it comes to a vicious cycle of staff turnover or even workplace injury claims because it's "hard" to do daily tasks.
Do you have any special programming at your aquatic facility for Valentine's or Galentine's Day?
Aquatic Industry News -
I am intentionally not sharing anything about the Canmore Inn & Suites incident from last week as I haven't seen a single report that adds or clarifies what we know; it's all conjecture.
Denver’s queer swim team is splashing back after the city displaced them
The change is for all rental groups, irrespective of group type.
Company fined after 3-year-old nearly drowned at children’s holiday camp
Floats & mats can be very difficult for young children to lift; I have read numerous reports over the years of drowning fatalities associated with kids trapped underneath floating pool equipment.
City officials explore next steps, public input for Bluegrass Splash’s future
Lifeguard training bill filed to bolster ranks of safety personnel
YMCA launches ‘Waves of Opportunity’ program for lifeguard/instructor training
Lifeguard & swim instructor training is credit-eligible in many Canadian provinces if you work with a schoolboard teacher to be a liaison or point of contact.
CPSC Warns Consumers to Immediately Stop Using Amber Brook Pool Drain Covers Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Entrapment and Drowning; Violates the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act
Uncertified fake/dupe drain covers are an ongoing issue with online retailers such as Amazon. Listen to my conversation with Allison from Abbey's Hope to learn more.
Man found guilty of murdering Motel 6 owner during dispute over $10 pool pass
Pool time memories inspires Williams Lake Secondary student and lifeguard’s capstone project
30-Yr-Old Man Drowns In Jerusalem Mikveh, Evacuated In Critical Condition
This is worth sharing because mikveh are typically very small basins for ritual cleansing, so I have a lot of questions about this situation.
Voids discovered under Adventure Bay
Underwater hockey gains popularity in Charleston area
Why is it that underwater has never taken off
Why a Mexican Judge Just Hit Pause on Royal Caribbean’s New Mega Destination
This is a very high profile project in both the aquatics & cruise industry, so I will be very interested to see what happens next.
Oceana, WV to receive $2.6 million in FEMA funds to rebuild public pool damaged in 2025 floods
How Theme Parks Turned Nostalgia Into Historical Landmarks
Laurentian needs $25 million to open shuttered Olympic pool, MPPs told - Take our poll
Does it make sense to reinvest that kind of money in aging infrastructure or would it make more sense for the community to conduct a mass casualty assessment for a new aquatic facility?
Teen swims four hours to save family lost at sea off Australia
In this week's edition of just when you think you've seen it all, you really haven't: this is not set of plans that a regulatory authority can - or will - sign off on! We need actual engineer-stamped, professional-grade blueprints & schematics.
Quick reminder: there will be no email next week (Wednesday, February 11) due to a scheduling conflict. I'll be back in your inbox the following week on Wednesday, February 18. The audio version of this week's newsletter will also take a few days to stream on our YouTube Live tab.
See you in two weeks!
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.