LGS SBPP 2.4 Lifeguard Positioning

The positioning of Lifeguards has been developed by analysing hazard zones and the areas that offer the most comprehensive supervision of all three pools Main Pool, Boat Pool and Aquativity. The highest risk locations at the Main lagoon are the ledges surrounding the central back wall and the degrading water depths. It is very common for swimmers to slip off the ledges and slip into the pool. Another common trend that occurs is swimmers losing their footing at the northern and southern ends of the Main pool due to the gradual change in depth. Depending on the population and the time of year will dictate where and the number of lifeguards locations. The highest-risk locations at the Boat Pool are the varying depths on the pool’s ramp and the surrounding perimeter of the pool. This risk is mainly directed towards children as the depths don’t surpass 1.1m. Aquativity’s highest risk is a blue circle located by the concrete steps on the busker’s pitch side of the pool, it’s a depth of 1.1. All these high-risk locations are prone zones for swimmers to lose their footing and or be unaware of the gradually varying depths. However, the main supervision towers/ locations are directly near the high-risk affording Lifeguards the most optimal supervision.

Lifeguards are to rotate between the supervision towers of the three pools, Main Lagoon, Boat Pool, and Aquativity a full rotation should take 20-30 mins or on a need-by-need basis. Lifeguards must only stand together for one minute before starting the next rotation.

While on duty around the water area, Lifeguards are to position themselves in the most efficient manner. Lifeguard 9 is responsible for ensuring that the Lifeguards are in the most efficient position. This may vary slightly from time to time depending on the location of swimmers around the pools with a ratio of 1 Lifeguard per 100 swimmers as well as any incidents that may happen. As a general policy, Lifeguards are to position themselves in the following positions:

Please note that the Safety Ambassadors position will be decided by Lifeguard 9’s during the duration of the shift as per LOP 5.19 Lifeguard Safety Ambassador.

2 Lifeguards on Duty

• 1 Lifeguard at Main Tower
• 1 Lifeguard (roving around to Boat Pool and Aquativity)
  

3 Lifeguards on Duty

• 1 Lifeguard at Main tower
• 1 Lifeguard at Back Wall (roving on the back wall of Main Pool)
• 1 Lifeguard roving (roving from Main Tower to Boat Pool, Boat Pool to Back Wall, Back Wall to Aquativity, Aquativity to Main Tower).
  

• 4 Lifeguards on Duty*
• 1 Lifeguard at Main tower
• 1 Lifeguard roving on the back wall to Aquativity
• 1 Lifeguard at Boat Pool
• 1 Lifeguard at Aquativity

5 Lifeguards on Duty

• 1 Lifeguard at Main tower
• 1 Lifeguard at back wall
• 1 Lifeguard roving on the back wall to Aquativity
• 1 Lifeguard at Boat Pool
• 1 Lifeguard at Aquativity
  

6 Lifeguards on Duty

• 1 Lifeguard at Main tower
• 1 Lifeguard at North Tower
• 1 Lifeguard at South Tower
• 1 Lifeguard at Boat Pool
• 1 Lifeguard at Aquativity
• 1 Lifeguard rotating/ on break or where deemed necessary (Boat pool or middle of back wall)
  

7 Lifeguards or more on Duty

• 1 Lifeguard at Main tower
• 1 Lifeguard at North Tower
• 1 Lifeguard at South Tower
• 1 Lifeguard at Boat Pool
• 1 lifeguard at Aquativity
• 1 Lifeguard at Boat pool
• 1 Lifeguard rotating/ on break or where deemed necessary (Boat pool or middle of back wall)
  

8 Lifeguards or more on Duty

• 1 Lifeguard at Main tower
• 1 Lifeguard at North Tower
• 1 Lifeguard at South Tower
• 1 Lifeguard at Boat Pool
• 1 lifeguard at Aquativity
• 1 Lifeguard at Boat pool weir
• 1 Lifeguard rotating/ on break or where deemed necessary (Boat pool or middle of back wall)
  

9 Lifeguards or more on Duty

• 1 Lifeguard at the Main tower
• 1 Lifeguard at North Tower
• 1 Lifeguard at South Tower
• 1 Lifeguard at the Boat Pool
• 1 lifeguard at Aquativity
• 1 Lifeguard at Boat pool or middle of back wall (depending on rostered shift will say on notes where it is to be positioned)
• 1 Lifeguard rotating/ on break or where deemed necessary (Boat pool or middle of back wall)
  

When rotating around the ‘Water Area’, to Lifeguards are to proceed with the following:

• The Lifeguard 9 is to decide which location is best to start the rotation. This is normally Aquativity, Boat Pool or the back wall of Main Pool.
• Always ensure that one Lifeguard is located at the Main Tower.
• Always ensure that rotations are done promptly; never stand together for more than 1 minute
• Ensure that areas of risk are not left unsupervised.
• Ensure that at no time should there be 3 lifeguards standing together or 2 sets of 2 Lifeguards together.