Aquatic Admission Standards

Aquatic Admission Standards / Facility Swim Test

In response to recommendations set out by the Coroner of Ontario and YMCA Child Protection protocols all participants 9 years and under who wish to swim in deep water or unaccompanied in the pool, must complete a brief swim test prior to being admitted to the pool. They will be required to wear a wrist band in the pool.  Wrist band colours are as follows:

 

Children 5 years and Under - RED Wrist Band

All children who are 5 years old and under will receive a RED wrist band upon entering the pool deck.

  • Must be accompanied in the water by a parent or guardian who is at least 16 years or older who remains within arms' reach..
  • Ratio of children to parent/ guardian is 2:1
  • Parent/guardians must remain in shallow areas of the pool where they can comfortably stand without water going over their head.

*Children who are 5 years and under who are able to complete the swim test may access deep water, accompanied by a parent/guardian.  These children will be issued both a RED and GREEN bracelet.

 

Children 6-9years old - YELLOW Wrist Band:

All children who are 6-9 years old are required to swim with a parent/guardian who is at least 16 years or older who remains within arms' reach and complete a swim test.

  • Children who do not successfully complete the swim test will receive a YELLOW wrist band and must swim with a parent/ guardian who is at least 16 years or older who remains within arms' reach.
  • Ratio of children to parent/ guardian is 4:1 (this ratio is currently under review and may change with new Pool Health Regulations due out early in 2017)
  • Parent/guardians must remain in shallow areas of the pool where they can comfortably stand without water going over their head.

 

Children 6-9 years old  GREEN Wrist Band:

Children who complete the swim test will receive a GREEN wrist band and may access the pool unaccompanied;

 

  • Parent/guardian 16 years or older must remain within the pool enclosure and directly* supervise their children (sitting on side or in gallery).
  • Ratio of children to parent/guardian 8:1

*Direct supervision is defined as having visual and verbal contact and able to render immediate assistance at all times.

 

Participants 10 years and older may access the pool unaccompanied.

  • Swimmers of any age may be asked to complete the swim test at the discretion of the Lifeguard.
  • Based on swim ability, restriction to shallow water may be made.

 

Swim Admission Guard:

There will be a designated Lifeguard (or designate) who will act as the Swim Admission Guard during any public, open or family swims.  This lifeguard (or designate) must be visible on deck (wearing vest) welcoming members and providing wristbands to those members who require them.  The Swim Admission Guard (or designate) is also responsible for issuing swim tests for those children who require them. 

 

Facility Admission Swim Test:

The facility swim test must be completed by children (6-9 years old) who wish to swim on their own.  Children must complete the swim test every time they come to the facility, if they would like to swim on their own.  This is to ensure the safety of our children as other factors throughout a day may affect their ability to swim.

The facility admission swim test will consist of 2 parts:

#1 - Swim a distance appropriate to the pool size i..e. 1 length; 2 widths (approx. 25m)

#2 - Jump into deep water and tread water for 30 seconds (only req'd upon successful completion of the swim test)

 

Part 1:  25m Front Swim Test

When administering swim tests in the pool it is important to consider the following standards that must be maintained throughout the duration of the 25m front swim test:

  • Face in the water (with the ability to breathe out of the water i.e. face in - blow bubbles; face out - take a breath; repeat)
  • Overarm recovery (arms consistently out of the water)
  • Horizontal body position (feet near the surface not the bottom)
  • Propulsive forward motion
  • Comfortable in the water

NOTE:  Consider this is approximately YMCA Swimmer level standard

The following standards, although may prove helpful in the completion of the test, are NOT required to pass the test:

  • Bent elbow front crawl
  • Side breathing
  • Full arm extension above/ahead of head
  • Flutter kick

Part 2:  Tread Water Test (delivered only to those who successfully complete the 25m swim test)

  • Jump away from the side of pool with comfort
  • Easily surface and begin to tread water
  • Head/ears maintained above water throughout
  • Completion of required time - 30 seconds

Swim/Tread Water tests are required at each visit to the pool.  No data base will be kept.