Supervised Swimming Areas
At pools, beaches and other supervised swimming areas, lifeguards and aquatic safety personnel play an essential role in preventing incidents and responding to emergencies. Their presence, however, does not replace the need for safe behaviours among those using these facilities.
Safety is a shared responsibility. Knowing your limits, following safety rules, closely supervising children and remaining fully capable of responding to an emergency all help make swimming safer for everyone.
Aquatic skills vary from person to person. It is important to know your abilities and choose activities accordingly.
Learning to swim is possible at any age. Some aquatic facilities may also require a swim test to assess a person’s abilities before allowing access to certain areas or activities.
If you are tired, feeling unwell or unsure of your ability to swim a certain distance, stay in an area where the conditions are appropriate for your abilities.
Rules and signage help ensure that activities are carried out safely and reduce risks. Instructions may vary depending on the facility, type of pool, activities offered and current conditions.
Before swimming, take the time to read all posted signs and familiarize yourself with the applicable rules.
Instructions given by lifeguards and aquatic safety personnel must also be followed. They may need to intervene to prevent unsafe behaviour or protect the safety of those present.
The presence of lifeguards or aquatic safety personnel never replaces the supervision of a child by a parent, responsible adult or designated accompanying person.
Young children and non-swimmers should remain within arm’s reach of a responsible person and be supervised constantly and without distractions.
For organized outings to a pool, beach or water park, good communication between parents or responsible adults and the organization also contributes to children’s safety.
Before an outing, relevant information and items should be provided to the organization responsible, including:
Emergency contact information;
Relevant information regarding the child’s specific needs;
Necessary information about the child’s aquatic abilities;
A PFD, when required or requested;
Any equipment requested by the organization, such as a swimsuit, towel, sun protection and hat.
The rules of the swimming area and expected behaviours should also be explained to the child before the outing.
Alcohol, cannabis and other substances that can impair a person’s abilities may affect judgment, balance, reaction time and perception of risk.
The facility’s rules regarding alcohol consumption must be followed. Anyone responsible for supervising a child should remain sober and fully capable of responding quickly if necessary.
Lifeguards and aquatic safety personnel help prevent incidents, quickly identify hazardous situations and respond when someone is in distress. Their presence is an essential safety measure at supervised swimming areas.
Professional supervision, however, does not replace individual vigilance or parental supervision. Water safety is a shared responsibility.
Before Entering the Water
A few minutes of preparation can help you become familiar with the environment and identify important safety information.
Before swimming, it is recommended to:
Review the rules and posted signs;
Check the depth of different areas and choose a location appropriate for your aquatic abilities;
Identify areas reserved for specific activities, when applicable;
Locate lifeguards and rescue equipment;
Check the rules regarding PFD use and child supervision;
Inform lifeguards or aquatic safety personnel of any particular situation that could affect safety, when necessary.
Even at a supervised swimming area, knowing the environment and respecting your limits can help reduce risks.
Designate an Adult to Supervise
During family or group outings, having several adults present can sometimes create the impression that children are automatically being watched. Clearly assigning responsibility for supervision helps prevent this confusion.
One adult should be designated to provide active, constant and distraction-free supervision of children, particularly young children and non-swimmers.
The person responsible for supervision should:
Remain attentive to swimmers at all times;
Avoid distractions, including cellphone use;
Stay close enough to intervene quickly;
Remain sober and fully capable of responding;
Clearly transfer responsibility to another adult whenever a change in supervision is necessary.
Young children and non-swimmers should be supervised within arm’s reach.
The presence of lifeguards or aquatic safety personnel never replaces the supervision of a child by a responsible person.
At the Beach: Conditions Can Change
A supervised beach is still a natural environment. Waves, currents, wind, water depth and weather conditions can change quickly and affect swimming conditions.
Before entering the water, it is important to:
tay within designated swimming areas;
Check flags, signs and other posted warnings;
Follow the instructions of lifeguards and aquatic safety personnel;
Check current swimming conditions and warnings;
Be aware of waves, currents and changes in water depth;
Stay out of closed areas or areas where swimming is prohibited.
When waves or currents are present, pay particular attention to rip currents, which can quickly carry a swimmer away from shore.
If you are unsure about the conditions, ask lifeguards or aquatic safety personnel for information before entering the water.