The VoicE Q3
TAKE THE PLUNGE:
A GUIDE TO REOPEN YOUR POOL
These much-needed guidelines are provided
by Sara Kooperman,CEO of WATERinMOTION®
The exciting news is that pools are finally
re-opening after the forced government
closure due to Covid-19. However, there is
sparse and inadequate direction on how to
do this safely, creatively, and successfully!
Aqua Directors, Club Managers and Group
Fitness Leaders need guidelines regarding
how to allow participants to take the plunge
again. In this article, we will outline a few
simple recommendations and requirements
that will ensure a seamless and profitable
relaunch of your aquatic program.
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
The Centers for Disease Control has stated
that there is no evidence that the virus that
causes Covid-19 can be spread to individuals
through the water in pools, hot tubs or
spas. The CDC further shared that the proper
operation and maintenance, including treatment
with chlorine and bromine, of these facilities
should inactivate the virus in the water.
While hot tubs or spas should most likely
stay closed because it is so difficult to social
distance in such a small space, this makes
our pools possibly the safest area for exercise!
ACTIVE AGERS & SOCIAL ISOLATION
Because of forced social isolation, our active
agers, sadly, have become more sedentary
than ever. Our older adults get out of
shape more quickly and have been more inactive
than ever during this pandemic, which
makes re-entering fitness centers more challenging.
The cushioning effects of hydrostatic
pressure and buoyancy in the aquatic
environment found in our pools and in our
aqua exercise programs creates a comfortable
and safe setting to re-start an exercise
program.
SET GUIDELINES
The first item that our clubs should address
when reopening their facilities is to set and
publish guidelines. These requirements can
be provided to our students via websites, social
media, and onsite signage. It is further
recommended that Instructors practice welcoming
and managing participants prior to
the opening of the facility. A dress rehearsal
for reopening should be required. A conference
call (possibly Zoom) plus a live runthrough
will best prepare all staff.
RESERVATION SYSTEM
To protect against overcrowding, a reserva-
tion system is recommended for all aspects
of the club. This is an organized way to control
the number of participants in the weight
room, the group exercise room and the pool.
Reservations must also be used for lap-lane
swimming requiring one person to a lane
at a time. For group exercise, the American
College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends
40 to 60 square feet per person. This
applies to land exercise, but also can be used
as a guideline for the pool. Simply measure
the shallow end of the pool, length by width,
multiply the numbers and divide by 40, 50 or
60, which will provide you with the number of
individuals who can participate in a vertical
aquatic exercise program.
HOT TUBS, STEAM ROOMS & SAUNAS
A reservation system should also be used
for a hot tub, steam room or sauna. There
should only be one person in a steam room
or sauna at a time. Our hot tub usage must
also be limited by space requirements ensuring
social distancing. Since hot tubs are typically
small, we most likely should limit them
to one or two individuals at a time. If friends
or families are social distancing together,
they, of course; can enjoy these facilities together.
Keep in mind that it might be too
difficult to clean between each participant,
therefore; the club may choose to keep these
facilities closed.
ENTERING THE GYM
All the typical precautions must be adhered
to when individuals enter the facility. Staff
and Members must have their temperature
taken and answer questions regarding
COVID-19 exposure and other general health
inquires. Every member or guest entering
the club must comply with all CDC and governmental
requirements.
MASKS FOR MEMBERS
All members arriving to the club must wear
masks. They should not take off their masks
until they are all the way into the aquatic environment.
It is encouraged that participants
remove their masks once they are about to
get in the water. They must avoid getting
the mask wet because once the mask gets
soaked with water, it may stop the ability
of the person to inhale air. Also, even if you
can keep the mask dry, oxygen consumption
is much easier without a mask. It is, in
fact, safer for students to exercise without a
mask.
PLASTIC SHEILD MASKS FOR
INSTRUCTORS
Instructors should wear plastic shield masks
when teaching aquatic exercise. These plastic
shields are inexpensive ($4-$5 each) and
allow the student to see the face and hear
the voice of the instructor. The risk of spitting
when yelling (and cuing) is contained by
the plastic shield. The shield will not fog up
and it provides adequate space for the teacher
to breath.
MICROPHONES & WINDSCREENS
Most pools do not have microphones for
their Instructors to use, but if they do have a
microphone, each Instructor must own and
use their own windscreen. A windscreen is
that little foam ball on the end of the microphone
closest to the Instructor’s mouth. It
prevents spitting on the microphone itself
and preserves the life of the microphone.
The microphone and windscreen should also
fit comfortably underneath the plastic shield
mask. Each club should provide every Instructor
with their own personal windscreen
and require the Instructor to use it each time
they teach. The club should also keep a few
new ones on hand for forgetful Instructors to
use and keep.
TRAVELING TO & FROM THE POOL
Traveling to and from the pool seems to be
one of the most difficult adventures of our
exercise program. With locker rooms being
closed, entering, and exiting, while maintaining
6-foot social distancing, is a challenge.
Even if the locker room is closed, we may still
want to use it as a walkway and entrance to
the pool. The locker room can either be used
as a changing area with social distancing requirements
or simply as a path to the pool.
CLOTHING & CHANGING
Students should arrive early already dressed
for their aqua workout. When they arrive at
the club, they should be wearing their masks,
suits, cover-up, and outdoor shoes. Sandals
or flip flops are preferred as they can quickly
and easily be removed. If the locker room
is closed entirely, a bench or chairs near the
pool should be available for participants to
change from outdoor shoes to pool shoes.
Distancing stickers on the benches or separated
chairs can be placed to ensure a sixfoot
separation between pool participants.
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