October 24, 2024: floating breakfasts & workplace drowning fatalities
Good Morning,
I have European colleagues on my ISO Committee who live and die by a calendar numbering system that's not very common in Canada. October 21-27 was Week #43 of 2024. I don't know about you, but talking to them and hearing that number bandied around definitely inspires urgency in terms of what I want to accomplish before the end of the year!
While writing this newsletter, I was reflecting I wish it could be a consistent 50/50 balance of pool operations and water safety, but the ebb & flow of current events is such that some editions are just going to skew more heavily one way over the other.
Too excellent examples this week from the UK of swimming pools accommodating accessibility needs -
'It's magical watching him swim with a ventilator'
Swimmers with feeding tubes offered pool sessions
Surf icon Bethany Hamilton's nephew, 3, dies after being found unconscious in bath
This was an heartbreaking story to watch play out in live time. Information on the family's fundraising page indicates the child was cooling off from a fever in a cold bath, and then died from complications including brain swelling and kidney failure.
Unfortunately, many of these in-hospital deaths from drowning-related morbidity are not classified as drowning fatalities, meaning that we potentially have inaccurate statistics about the true cost of drowning in 2024. Here is another example just days later.
Drowning death of 5-year-old girl near Edmonton a criminal investigation: RCMP
There's not a lot of details about this incident, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention it.
Impact Plastics and CEO Gerald O'Connor sued by family of worker killed by Hurricane Helene flooding
In preparing my lifeguard injury & fatality presentation earlier this year, I dug into workplace drownings in non-pool environments. I came across dog walkers breaking through ice, mowers flipped into ponds, heavy industrial accidents, but this one may be the worst one yet. "The lawsuit claims that while local schools and other businesses announced closures because of Hurricane Helene, Impact Plastics instructed its employees to report to work because the company "wanted to meet order deadlines."
I share this story to highlight that not every leader is equipped to make good decisions in a crisis. Decision making frameworks at organizations need to be developed well in advance of situations like this arising, irrespective of an individual leader's personal skills or qualities.
The rise of the floating breakfast, travel’s most insufferable flex
I'm featuring this article not for the floating breakfast, but to showcase the non-VGBA compliant drain cover featured in the author's video. Anti-entrapment education needs to go beyond what you learn in the Certified Pool Operator (CPO) class and extend to how you educate your family & friends about traveling and using pools internationally.
Las Vegas gym members pull near drowning victim out of water for 2nd time this year, health district
One person had a non-fatal drowning at this same location earlier in 2024, and another person died (fatal drowning) at another location. The organization has been fighting Nevada regulatory requirements to provide lifeguards on their swimming pools, arguing remote video surveillance should be considered sufficient.
Free swim lessons for Maui adults at Upcountry pool in November
We don't see a lot of free adult swim lessons. Why is that? As I shared in another newsletter, I think all facilities need to do more to offer learn-to-swim services for adults of all ages, particularly at times that make sense for their stage of life and with practical outcomes that meet their personal needs and goals.
Community baths celebrate 120 years of swimming
Similar to a beautiful pool I saw in Chester, England, it IS possible to maintain some of these beautiful Edwardian Baths when the community commits to proper, proactive conservation and repairs.
3 deaths at Discovery Cove pool since May
This is very concerning because it's a lot of people in a relatively short period of time.
I don't sell or officially endorse products; I also opt not to receive compensation for referrals. But, when I am genuinely excited about a product, it's easy to want to tell everyone you know. Not since discovering the Ruth Lee Lifeguard Rescue Manikin have I been so excited about a product that meets an unmet need in the aquatic industry.
If you are curious about my experience at the World Waterpark Association (WWA) annual conference two weeks ago, I recorded it vlog! It's long, but I break down exactly what each day of the event looked like and my costs to attend.
Lastly, the 2025 Certified Pool Operator (CPO) Zoom class schedule is now open for registration.
See you again next week.
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.
PS. I had some very bad news last night, so the timing of this mini episode "A question to reframe your situation" could not have been better in my inbox this morning! 10/10 recommend to get you through to the weekend.