1. Commodore / Club Officers

Assistant Lifeguard/s / Part Time Lifeguard/s

1. Job Duties and Descriptions – General

1. Commodore / Club Officers

Supervises all Club facilities with the assistance of the directors. Assists in recruiting and hiring of lifeguard staff.

2. Swimming Director

Assists in recruiting lifeguard staff. Interviews potential candidates and makes recommendation to the Officers and Board of Directors. Hires all lifeguards. Creates lifeguard working schedules for the season. Files Health Department Bathing Permit application. Maintains and effects appropriate changes to the Beach Safety Plan.

3. Lifeguard

1. Scheduling minor work hour changes from the initial season schedule with consultation of the Caretaker, breaks, rotation of guards swim area positions, and posting of schedules.
2. Coordination fitness training and drills.
3. Being responsible for condition and placement of lifesaving equipment.
4. Designating / Scheduling roped swim area use.
5. Assisting swimming director in developing emergency plan.
6. Maintaining daily logbook of incidents and daily entries to the New York State Department of Health – Daily Report of Beach Operation.
7. Performing lifeguard duties.
8. Organizes the club’s swimming lesson program. Collects fees, maintains enrollment and attendance records for the program. Provides a listing of names and fees collected and provides receipts to treasurer.
9. Performing basic duties of cleanup and grounds maintenance as assigned by the Caretaker on days when the weather is not attractive to aquatic activities and there are no members interested in swimming. In this event, the swimming area will be posted as "No Swimming when Lifeguard is not on Duty" until such time when the weather is appropriate for aquatic activities.

1. Assistant Lifeguard

1. Guards the swimming area assigned.
2. Enforces rules and regulations.
3. Participates in fitness training.
4. Assists in preparing written reports of incidents.

1. Performs basic duties of cleanup and grounds maintenance as assigned by the Caretaker on days when the weather is not attractive to aquatic activities and there are no members interested in swimming. In this event, the swimming area will be posted as "No Swimming when Lifeguard is not on Duty" until time when the Head Lifeguard decides the weather is appropriate for aquatic activities.

1. Maintenance Activities (All Lifeguard Staff)

1. Stacking chairs
2. Sweeping the Swim area.
3. Moping/cleaning bird droppings from all swim areas. (deck/dock/raft)
4. Cleaning dead fish and seaweed from the shoreline (double bag and put in dumpster)
5. Checking periodically the locker and toilet rooms for standing water. Mop as needed to eliminate slippery conditions.
6. Repairing immediately any deficiencies reported by the staff. (If immediate repairs are not possible, then the affected areas are to be marked appropriately against use.)
7. Additional general cleaning and maintenance to assure a clean swim area may be assigned by the caretaker.

1. Injury Protection

1. Prior to opening each day, the swimming area platform is to be swept to remove debris.
2. Check float lines and buoys. The concrete filled cement blocks with eye bolts anchoring the ropes are to be buried outside the swim areas.
3. The bottom shall be checked daily, prior to opening, using masks, fins, and snorkel. Any debris, such as branches, etc., must be removed. This especially pertains to the diving section.

1. Any sudden changes of depth or "potholes" which develop are to be eliminated and if possible or marked with buoys.

1. The dock is to be checked for protruding nails or other defects. The swimming director is to be notified of any problems that can’t be corrected by normal maintenance or notification to the caretaker.
2. The diving board at the end of the raft must be securely anchored.
3. The depth markings on the dock are to be checked - they must be clearly visible. The "No Diving" signs must be clearly posted on the dock for the depths of less than 8 feet.
4. All lifesaving equipment is to be inspected. Any defects are to be reported to the lifeguard for immediate repair or replacement.

1. Enforcement of Rules and Regulations

1. Contact the person breaking the rule - One short blast from the whistle and point to the offender.
2. Explain the rule that is being broken and give a reason as to why the rule exists.

1. Contact the person again.
2. Explain the rule again.

1. The individual will be asked to leave the water for a period of time specified by the lifeguard.
2. The lifeguard will report the incident to the swimming director.

The following rules are also posted and must be enforced:

1. No horseplay on the docks, diving board raft, or in the water
2. No running on the dock, raft or seawall.
3. No running dives into the water.
4. No throwing/skipping stones.
5. No diving from the dock in water less than 6 feet deep.
6. No glass allowed in the swimming area.
7. Members and guests are not allowed to use whistles near the swimming area.
8. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult when in the water.
9. Boating or water-skiing is prohibited in the swimming area.
10. No motorized vehicles permitted in the swimming area.
11. Raft Test - All bathers under the age of 18 will be required to swim the perimeter of the "deep end" of the swim area under the direct supervision of a lifeguard. Upon doing this in a safe and timely manner the lifeguard will record the bathers name in a log book and that bather will have full access to the swim area. Those that do not pass the raft test will be restricted to the shallow portion of the swim area until such time that they can satisfactorily pass the raft test.

1. Use of diving board
1. Allow only one diver on the board at a time.
2. Previous diver must clear the diving area prior to the next person starting a dive.
3. Divers are to swim from the diving are~ immediately after completing their dive.
2. Capacity of swim area
1. Swimming area is 50 feet wide and 150 feet long and is marked by float lines. In addition, it is also divided into shallow and deep areas by a float line cross the 3 foot depth and the 5 foot depth. The capacity of the swim area is 125 bathers.
2. The swimming area may be closed to allow for breaks and reduced attendance.
3. Conditions that require clearing the water and/or closing the swimming area.
1. Thunderstorms - At first sign of thunderstorm the water and swimming area is to be immediately cleared. The "No Swimming When Lifeguard is Not on Duty" sign is to be posted for a period of 30 Minutes.
2. Heavy rain or hail.
3. Fog - If the swim area is not completely visible the swimming area must be closed for swimming.
4. Excessive turbidity - After storms the clarity of the water decreases significantly Swimming is to be restricted to within the 6 foot float line if clarity is not at least adequate to see 6 feet deep. Swimming is to be restricted completely if visibility is not at least to a depth of 2 feet.
4. Supervision and Coverage.

The lifeguard projects the number of guards needed based on anticipated bather load. (Holidays and exceptionally warm weather result in increased attendance).

1. One lifeguard chair is provided at the midpoint of the swimming area. The chair is to be located a minimum of 5 feet and a maximum of 10 feet from the waters edge. The chair will be equipped with a rescue buoy with 6 feet of rope and a whistle.
2. One lifeguard will be stationed on the dock to supervise the diving area at the end of the dock and from the raft. An elevated lifeguard chair is provided on the dock for a clear unobstructed view of the swimming area.
3. During heavy use periods, a roving guard will be on duty on shore. In addition, a patrol boat will be available to supervise the perimeter of the swim area.
4. During a six (6) hour work schedule guards will be provided with one ½ hour break and two 10 minute breaks. During this time he/she will perform the roving guard duties. When only one lifeguard is on duty he/she must clear the water and post the "Beach Closed" sign when it is necessary to leave the swimming area.
5. Each guard will scan back and forth over their area of coverage. This must be done slow enough to see what each swimmer is doing. If a swimmer goes under-water the guard should watch until the swimmer surfaces prior to continuing the scan.
6. The guards must not engage in activities that interfere with the supervision of bathers.
1. Eating is not allowed while on duty.
2. Members or guests must not be allowed in the lifeguard chair or immediately in front of the lifeguard chair.

1. Emergency Plan

 

A. Communication System

1. Whistle Signals

• one short blast - to get attention of bather.

• two short blasts - to get attention of another guard.

• three short blasts - emergency - guard leaving station.

• one long blast - clear the water.

1. Air Horn

• one long blast - emergency - club staff is to report to the swimming area immediately.

1. A telephone for emergency purposes is located in the club-house kitchen. All guards are aware of the location.
2. The phone numbers for the following are posted the phone. With the 2001 Summer Season the Cayuga County 911 center is operational, and all calls for emergency services should go through the 911 center.

1. Local ambulance.
2. Fire department.
3. Sheriff's department.
4. State Police.

1. There is also a checklist of information that must be provided when phoning for emergency assistance. This checklist will include:

1. Name of caller.
2. Location of this facility.
3. Telephone number of this facility.
4. Type of incident. (drowning, cardiac arrest, etc).
5. Approach route - directions to this facility.
6. Required assistance. ambulance, fire dept, police).
7. Do not hang up, let the 911 operator issue instructions.

1. The primary rescue/fire agency for the Owasco Yacht Club is the Owasco Fire Department. The primary law enforcement agency is the Cayuga County Sheriff's Department. Both agencies will have a copy of this safety plan on file.

1. Emergency Access - access to the Owasco Yacht Club is via East Lake Rd. (Rt. 38A) South of the City of Auburn to driveway marked by fire sign #2 and a sign marked Owasco Yacht Club. Proceed down driveway to clubhouse area where a designated individual will direct you to the emergency.
2. Evacuation Route - exit from the Owasco Yacht Club is from the North and South ends of the Club via the driveways to East Lake Rd. (Rt4 58A).
3. First Aid Equipment - minimum first aid equipment to be provided will consist of a 24 unit first aid kit, a life boat, a rescue tube or equivalent with 6 feet of line, a spine board, and a pocket face mask.
1. All equipment is to be in good repair, properly located and inspected by staff on a daily basis.
2. Staff must be trained in use of the equipment.
4. First Aid Room/Area - If the victim can be moved, or should be moved, then the designated first aid room/area shall be the kitchen/clubhouse area.

1. Upon receiving report of a missing person, description of the individual and last location is to be determined.

1. A designated person is to be assigned to stay with the individual reporting the missing person
2. A simultaneous 1and and water search is to be initiated. The land search will be coordinated by the club staff.

1. Water search procedures

1. Notify club staff.
2. Clear the water of all people.
3. All available personnel are to be used.

1. Shallow Water Search

1. Begin in the area where the victim was presumed lost.
2. Link arms and wade in a line across the search area designated pattern. The feet should be gently swept across the bottom with each step. This procedure should be restricted to depths of 4 feet or less.

1. Deep Water Search

1. Searchers line up in straight line no more than arm's length apart.
2. On command, they surface dive to the bottom and swim forward a specified number of strokes.
3. The searcher's hands touch the bottom then sweep outward from and inward toward their bodies.
4. After completing the specified number of strokes, the searchers should swim straight up.
5. They should then back up approximately 6 feet, reform their line, and repeat the sequence. Care must be taken that all divers are accounted for at the end of each sequence.

1. * Result in death
2. * Require resuscitation.
3. * Require referral to a hospital.
4. * Bather illness associated with water quality.

1. Any person suffering a seizure in the water and submerges should be transported to a medical facility regardless of apparent recovery.
2. A person suffering a seizure should not be allowed in the water again for the remainder of the day.

1. communication system
2. rotation system
3. guard awareness
4. use of rescue equipment
5. physical conditioning
6. first aid and C.P.R. practice
7. simulated emergencies.