When the pool and/or the pool deck is occupied, we must have a Water Watcher on the pool deck.

How to be an excellent Water Watcher:

• Do Whatever It Takes to keep your focus on the water and pool deck.
• Wear the Water Watcher tag and Red Whistle while watching the water!
• Watch the water while wearing the Water Watcher tag!
  • As the “water watcher”, nothing pulls your attention away from watching the water…not bracelet collecting, not cleaning baskets, not getting water for fellow staff members, etc. It is easy to get distracted by teachers, parents, and other staff members. Stay on deck unless granted permission from DS or SS. Always ask permission from the DS if you need to leave the area – especially during class transition. 
  • If you must leave the deck, hand-off the Water Watcher tag to another staff member.
• STAND where you can see all kids in all classes. 
  • Standing increases the ability to see above and below the water's surface. Sitting or squatting increases the glare which limits our ability to see below the water's surface.
• A whistle is to be used on the pool deck as a form of communication. It is only to be used for getting the attention of the people in the pool and on the pool deck. EAP - Whistle Info 
  • One Short Blast - Consider this as an attention getter. It is not an emergency.
  • Three Short Blasts - Consider this as a notification of an emergency.
• Be aware of how to assess the pool for vulnerable spots. 
• Bathroom runs – highly encourage parents to take them so you can keep your eyes on the water. If you have no other choice than to take them yourself, notify DS and leave the door wide open so you can be seen.
• Hand off the Water Watcher tag to the next WW in the “hand off” area on the pool deck.