Swim Guidelines

SWIM BAND REQUIREMENTS

The Y is committed to providing safe, and fun aquatic environments to our communities.

LIFE JACKET POLICY

A parent/caregiver may not have more than two red band children in their care. One child will be required to wear a life jacket. Each pool has a limited supply of life jackets. You are welcome to bring your own life jacket(s). Life jackets must be Coast Guard Approved.

WATER SAFETY

Facts

• 3,700+ people drown each year, of which 1,500 are children.
• Drowning remains the second-leading cause of injury-related death for children ages one to14 years.
• Over 500 drownings take place in guarded pools every year.
• Most aquatic incidents happen in shallow (three - five feet) water.

Best Policies

• Protect non-swimmers, especially younger children, by restricting them to the shallow end and adding additional layers of protection.
• Swim test and designate swim areas based on participants' swimming abilities.
• Supervise every non-swimmer actively, within arm’s reach of a parent or caregiver.

SAFE POOLS HAVE RULES

• Always walk in the pool area.
• Food, gum and glass containers are prohibited.
• Swimsuits are required. Swim diapers must be worn for non-potty-trained children.
• Horseplay, wrestling, roughhousing and foul language are not permitted.
• Children ages six and younger must be within arm’s reach of a parent or caregiver.
• A parent/caregiver may only supervise two red band children at a time. One of the children must remain in a life jacket at all times.
• All flotation devices must be Coast Guard approved.
• Underwater distance swimming and breath-holding are not permitted.
• Swim equipment shall be used during lap swimming and aquatic programs only.
• Diving is permitted only in areas with at least nine feet of water.
• For patron safety, lifeguards have final discretion.