Writing a POSS
Aquatic Supervision and Emergency Response Plan (POSS)
The POSS is an essential tool for ensuring effective supervision and organizing emergency response procedures at an aquatic facility.
This course provides the knowledge and methods needed to develop, write, and maintain a clear, structured POSS tailored to the specific characteristics of an aquatic facility.
It covers risk assessment, applicable regulatory requirements, the allocation of responsibilities, and the development of supervision and emergency response procedures.
Keeping Your POSS Up to Date
The POSS must reflect the facility's characteristics, the activities offered, and the actual organization of aquatic supervision.
The Lifesaving Society recommends reviewing the POSS at least once a year, as well as whenever changes occur that could affect supervision or emergency response procedures, particularly when a new activity is introduced.
Regular updates help ensure that procedures remain appropriate and that teams are better prepared to respond to emergencies.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Analyze the characteristics of an aquatic facility, the activities offered, and the associated risks;
Understand the regulatory requirements applicable to aquatic supervision and emergency response;
Structure a POSS by defining roles, responsibilities, and supervision methods;
Develop emergency procedures tailored to the specific characteristics of the facility;
Evaluate the content of the POSS to ensure it meets applicable requirements and the facility's needs;
Communicate procedures to aquatic supervision teams to promote understanding and proper implementation;
Keep the POSS up to date as activities and operating conditions evolve.
This course is primarily intended for owners and operators of aquatic facilities who are responsible for developing and updating their facility's POSS.
It is also designed for:
Aquatic managers and supervisors;
Individuals responsible for safety and aquatic supervision;
Instructors and trainers;
Other aquatic professionals involved in organizing supervision and emergency response.
Duration:
7 hours
Prerequisites:
None
The following certifications are considered assets:
National Lifeguard, all options;
Aquatic Safety Auditor (SEE);
National Lifeguard Instructor, all options.
Course Registration
Available courses can be found in the Lifesaving Society's course catalogue under the "Professional Development" category.
For any questions regarding course dates or opportunities to teach this course, the Lifesaving Society team is available to assist you.