Welcome to
AMERICAN POOL SNJ
ONLINE ORIENTATION 2016
HOW TO GET YOUR SCHEDULE
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Visit www.guardforlife.com.
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Click on lifeguard login.
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Enter your username which is the email you provided. The password will be 1234
(unless you changed it).
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Click on "your schedule" and a calendar will pop up.
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Any yellow shifts on your calendar are YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. Any problems with
shifts on your calendar call the office immediately. Your are required to click on your
shift on "ok" and it will turn green. This means you accept the shift and understand
when and where the shift is. If you do not accept the shift it does not mean we do not
expect you to be there.
SHIFT RESPONSIBILITIES
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It is mandatory that you are on time! Lateness or absence will not be tolerated.
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If there is an emergency, or something happens beyond your control, please contact
the office ASAP at 856-767-5159.
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All sick call outs must have a Dr. note dated for the day of the call out. Failure to
provide Dr. note will result in negative write-up.
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If you would like to request a day off, go online at least two weeks prior to your
requested day off. Go to "my schedule" and go the right hand side: Request days off,
enter your date request in the prompt with a brief reason.
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If the request is made less than two weeks it will be denied. You will be 100%
responsible to find your coverage or be at your shift.
SWAPBOARD
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The SWAP BOARD is a privilege that allows you put your shift to see if someone will
take it, or allows you to pick up extra shifts.
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If you put your shift on the SWAP and it is taken, it will disappear off your calendar. If it
does not disappear off your calendar, means no one took it and you are expected to
be there!
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If you take a shift off the SWAPBOARD, that shift is 100% your responsibility.
There are no excuses that you cannot get there.
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There is absolutely no calling out on a shift that you took off the SWAPBOARD. Doing
so will result in a negative write up and could result in SWAPBOARD privileges being
revoked.
CLOCKING IN & OUT. NEW WAY-READ!
Put this URL in the browser of your mobile phone, and launch it.
https://www.pool-support.com/ZC.a5w
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On the next screen, put in your guardforlife.com login information (call the office if you do not know
this information).
Click Clock In/Out to proceed to the next web page. (Make sure
Pool name/address/start date & time will appear. Click “IN” to clock in.
Confirmation screen will pop up: “confirm punch request” click “Yes.”
If there is a message regarding your pool it will appear on this screen. Click “finish reviewing.”
You may close the browser.
Do not forget to punch out before you leave, it should be the first & last thing you do.
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Repeat the above process to clock out, except click “clock out.”
Your schedule includes a 30-60 minute "pre-opening" time. You are to arrive at the time listed on your
schedule. Do not allow anyone into the pool area until the pools official opening time.
UPON ARRIVAL
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Open the lockbox and retrieve the keys
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Be sure to close the front lockbox panel.
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The combination will be provided prior to your shift at the pool. If you do not know what
the combination is, call the office between 2pm - 7pm the day before.
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Clock-in
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Find the pump room, guard room or outside storage area.
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Take out rescue tube, ring buoy, backboard, Board of Health binder, first aid kit,
chemical testing kit, guest sign-in book and the Lifeguard Guide binder (black with red
paper cover).
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Check the pool chemicals. You must write down chemical readings into logbook every
two hours! Your supervisor will show you how to test/adjust chemicals during your
pool-side meeting. If the chemical readings are off call your supervisor, do not touch
any chemicals unless your supervisor tells you to do so.
POOL MAINTENANCE
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Vacuum the pool daily. Your supervisor will show you how to vacuum the pool during
your pool-side meeting. If you do not know how to work a vacuum at a certain pool
call your supervisor.
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Empty the skimmer baskets
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Tidy up the lawn furniture
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Pick up any trash around the pool area.
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Skim the pool.
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Be sure to check the chemical testing kit and first aid kit daily to ensure that all
supplies are stocked. If you need any supplies or if anything is broken, call your
supervisor.
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Take out and put up all umbrellas.
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Unlock and check the bathrooms if necessary.
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A few facilities may require additional tasks that will be listed in the lifeguard guide
binder (small black binder with red cover).
RULES AND REGULATIONS
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Each facility has its own set of pool rules that should be in the lifeguard guide binder.
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Your supervisor will tell you the pool rules during your poolside meeting. *Note: there is
no glass or swimmies permitted at any of our pools.
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Please make sure all guests are checked in. Always be friendly and courteous, and
greet with a smile and a "hello" or a " good morning/afternoon."
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You may need to either have guests sign-in, check their guest badges or consult a list
that will have a “no-entry list” of patrons not allowed into the pool area for various
reasons.
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A guest MUST be there with a member.
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Try to remember regular guests' names.
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Lifeguards are not permitted to collect money for pool badges. Direct them to the main
office on the premises.
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Under no circumstance should the pool be left unattended. If you need to use the
restroom and there are no patrons on deck, lock the gate. If there are patrons in the
pool, clear the pool and designate an adult to make sure no one enters the pool area.
CLOSING PROCEDURES
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Perform the closing pool readings.
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Arrange the furniture neatly.
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Put away all the safety equipment.
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Close and secure all umbrellas.
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Walk around and pick up any trash around the pool area.
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Make sure facility is ready for the opening the next day.
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Lock and secure the bathrooms (check to make sure there is no one in there). Also
lock the pump room if necessary and lock and secure all the gates.
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Place all rescue equipment, chemical testing/first aid kit and binders back into pump
room or storage area.
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Place the keys back in the lock box or give them back the front gate!
ALWAYS WEAR YOUR UNIFORM
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All lifeguards must have either plain lifeguard shirt or american pool lifeguard shirt. NO
shirt with different company name or logo is permitted.
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All lifeguards must all wear on their person while on duty at all times; whistle, hippack, copy of your lifeguard/CPR/AED and first aid certifications and your CPR mask.
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All lifeguards are expected to be sitting with or walking around with the rescue tube
and hip pack with CPR mask in it, at all times. Must wear appropriate footwear, flip
flops, no sneakers.
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Boys: Must wear lifeguard swim trunks or plain red swim trunks.
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Girls: Must wear competitive or rescue style lifeguard or plain red or black bathing suit.
No low cut fashion suits are allowed. A two-piece rescue lifeguard style suit is allowed
at most locations. HOWEVER, some pool locations do not allow a two piece bathing
suit at any time. Please be prepared with lifeguard shirt to put on if asked.
WHERE DO I GET MY UNIFORM?
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You are free to buy your uniform anywhere you like.
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We do offer uniform items at discounted prices at
http://www.theswimteamstore.com/lgsteams/productcart/pc/cthomelogin.asp
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Enter username: guardforlife
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Password: atco
SAFETY TIPS
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Stay hydrated!
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Wear sunglasses
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Use sunscreen and lip balm and re-apply throughout the day.
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Conduct "Swim Tests." If you are unsure of a persons swimming ability you may and
should conduct a swim test. Before allowing someone to swim in the deep end, above
their head or without a parent/supervisor (even if over the age requirement).
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Have the patron swim along the wall on their stomachs, without touching the wall
or the ground, along the entire length of the pool.
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Next, have them swim back the other way on their backs. Make sure you are
walking along with them while they swim in case they need assistance. If you feel
that the patron is not strong enough to swim in water above their head, instruct
them and the parent where they should stay and why.
LIFEGUARD BREAKS
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You are entitled to a 10-15 minute "Safety Break" every two hours. Simply blow your
whistle and clear the pool, announce a safety break.
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Test the pool chemicals and record in the log book. Call your supervisor if any
problems.
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Go around and make sure all patrons have signed in or check their badges (if there is
no tag checker).
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Use this time to use the restroom, splash some water on your face or hop in the pool
and cool off. Note: You are NOT to leave the premises!
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Please be mindful of when you take this break! If you know the pool usually gets
crowded at a certain time make sure to take the break before that time. Also, a break
is NOT ALLOWED TO BE CALLED DURING A FAMILY OR CHILDREN SWIM TIME.
Call the break before or after these times.
LIFEGUARD BREAKS
DO I GET A BREAK?
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You may or may not get a break depending on the length of your shift. If you get a
break it will be shown on your online schedule. Some pools actually close at a
specific time every day. In this case you would clear the pool area, lock up and clock
out. You may leave the pool area and take your break. You must clock back in and
re-open pool area by the time listed on your schedule. Please check with the office
or your supervisor to see if the pool you are working at is one of these unique pools.
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All other pools, you may not leave the pool area at any time to take a break. You
may or may not get your break at the specific time listed on your schedule. If your
supervisor comes by your pool ask them for your break at that time. If it is getting
close to your break time and your supervisor has not stopped at the pool, call the
office and we can call someone to give you a break.
MY MID-DAY SHIFT IS OVER,
DO I JUST LEAVE?
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NO! Under no circumstances are you to leave the pool without your replacement guard
(unless shift is over at the evening closing times).
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NEVER LEAVE THE POOL UNTIL ANOTHER LIFEGUARD OR SUPERVISOR
COMES TO RELIEVE YOU!!
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If the lifeguard replacing you is more than 10 minutes late call the office to let us know.
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There are some pools that do close for a break where you would be allowed to clear the
pool area, lock up and leave.
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Call office if you are unsure if the pool you are working at is one of those pools.
WHAT TO DO IN BAD WEATHER
If the weather is unfavorable before you report to your shift please call the office. Call the office about 45 minutes prior to the
start of your shift. The weather can be unpredictable; please do not call more than 45 minutes in advance of your shift.
Many times we will send you into the pool regardless of weather. It is ultimately up to the individual property whether
the pool is to remain open or closed. If you are not required to go into the pool, you will be placed “on call.” (See next
slide for on call procedures).
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF IT BEGINS TO RAIN WHILE I AM WORKING?
You should call the office to report any kind of inclement weather. The office will give you further instructions on what to do.
Do not leave the pool without office permission!
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Rain – patrons may stay in the water provided you can see the bottom of the pool. If the rain is heavy enough to
break the water’s surface, the pool must be cleared!
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Thunder – must have the pool & pool area cleared for 30 minutes from the last sound of thunder.
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Lightning – must have the pool & pool area cleared for 1 hour from the last sight of lightning.
WHERE I DO GO IF I’M WORKING DURING A STORM?
Many times a storm will pass over and the weather will clear up in an hour or two. If the office has instructed you to stay at
the pool, please make sure log books and binders are out of the rain, umbrellas are down, and you are in a dry place. If
your pool has a club house, you may sit in there, but most of the smaller pools will just have a bathroom, pump room or
storage area for the guard to sit inside out of the elements. Please make sure to lock the pool gate during this time! *If
an older guard wishes to sit in their car, that is alright as long as the RMS office is aware, the pool gate is locked, and
they do not leave the property.
CONTAMINATION of the WATER
FECAL CONTAMINATION
• Get EVERYONE out of the water
• Call supervisor and he/she will tell you what to do.
• NO ONE is allowed back into the pool.
• If the fecal contamination happens before 12 noon, the pool will reopen at normal
operating hours. More information will be given the next day.
• If the fecal contamination happens after 12 noon, the pool will reopen at 12 noon the
next day
BODILY FLUIDS CONTAMINATION
• Get EVERYONE out of the water
• Call supervisor and he/she will tell you what to do.
• NO ONE is allowed into the pool for 20 minutes to 4+ hours after contamination,
depending on amount and type of bodily fluid.
THANK YOU!
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Thank you for viewing your online orientation packet!
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We encourage you to view our other online information:
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Video of how to test the chemicals in the water.
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Frequently Asked Questions Brochure
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The OSHA/Bloodborne Free Webinar.
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*This is required before your first day of work.
If you have any questions, please contact Kate Brown at kbrown@americanpool.com