3/06/2011 The Supervision Myth Dr. Tom Griffiths President, Aquatic Safety Research Group, LLC tomgriffiths@aquaticsafetygroup.com 814-321-5242 “Constant, Vigilant Supervision” The Cornerstone of most Water Safety Programs and Agencies. The main “Layer of Protection” for both Parents and Lifeguards. “There is absolutely no substitute for close parental (lifeguard) supervision” 1 3/06/2011 “Constant, Vigilant Supervision” is … an OXYMORON Human beings cannot remain vigilant. As a result, HUMAN ERROR continues to be the #1 cause of accidents worldwide. Handheld interactive devices have created a new Science of Distraction and Visual Awareness. U.S. National Safe Kids finds that 88% of all children who drowned, had at least one parent supervising. Sleeping Air Traffic Controllers!!! Changing the Culture to Supplement Supervision Drowning Prevention Technology Engineering for Safety Increasing Effective Safety Strategies 2 3/06/2011 Water Safety Continues to Rely on Humans to Safeguard Others While computers/video can do what humans do, they also assist humans where they are weak: Computers are more… Vigilant Have greater memory Can record video with elapsed time Permanent record Being overly dependant on humans for supervision, we have failed to… Engineer for Safety Auto industry engineers for Safety Seat Belt, Air Bags, Car Seats Crash Detection Alarms for Inattentive drivers Alarms reminding distracted drivers children are in the back seat Alcohol detection devices to reduce drunk drivers Source: mbusa.com 3 3/06/2011 Body Blindness “Why supervisors can’t see.” Physical Body Blindness = surface agitation Mannequin visible Going… reflection & refraction Going… GONE!!! Source: Disappearing Dummies Perceptual Body Blindness people see only what they expect to see. “The Invisible Gorilla” by Chabris and Simons Source: The Invisible Gorilla There may not be an Instinctive Drowning Response There is no data to analyze the Instinctive Drowning Response Adults are “Bottom Heavy” and float vertically While drowning victims may not be able to Call or Wave for help, drowning postures and positions in the water may vary… Children are “Top Heavy” and float face down Lifeguards and Parents often think children are breath-holding or playing, not drowning 4 3/06/2011 Root Cause Analysis RCA transforms an Old Culture that Reacts to Problems into a New Culture that solves Problems before they occur. New: PROACTIVE Old: REACTIVE The Five Questions An analytical process to explore the cause & effect underlying problem. The goal of asking the Five Questions is to determine the Root Cause of the Problem. 5 3/06/2011 Auto Industry PROBLEM: The Car will not start… The Battery is Dead The Alternator does not work The Alternator Belt is broken The Belt was too old and never replaced Preventive maintenance was not performed Traditional Water Safety (Old Culture) PROBLEM Four year old child drowns WHY?? SOLUTION: Blame the Parent/Lifeguard; preach: “constant, active, vigilant supervision.” 6 3/06/2011 New Water Safety Culture PROBLEM Four year old child drowns WHY?? The water was too deep Our Safe, Shallow Water Pools (less than 5FT.) are Too Deep! Shallow water: <5 Feet deep 4 yr. old 103cm/ 41” 5 yr. old 110cm/ 44” 6 yr. old 116cm/ 46” 7 yr. old 121cm/ 48” 12 yr. old 150cm/ 60” 7 3/06/2011 Engineering for Safety Redefine water depths < 3.5’ SHALLOW WATER < 3.5’-5’ INTERMEDIATE WATER Use lifelines, fencing, color coding and bottom markers to identify > 5’ different depths DEEP WATER Construct ALL SHALLOW WATER POOLS (Paris hotel, Las Vegas; Atlantis Resort, Dubai) Strengthen your Safety Signage Parents! Please Watch Your Children NO BREATH-HOLDING or long U/W Swimming NO DIVING: SHALLOW WATER Non-swimmers NEED lifejackets Separate and de-emphasize all others. Signs courtesy of: Clarion Safety 8 3/06/2011 Develop a Safety Signage Strategy Parents! Please Watch Your Children NO BREATH-HOLDING or long U/W Swimming NO DIVING: SHALLOW WATER Non-swimmers NEED life-jackets Separate and deemphasize all others. Signs courtesy of: Clarion Safety Note and Float ALL NON-SWIMMERS Wristbands to identify non-swimmers Lifejackets to keep them safely on the surface 9 3/06/2011 Drowning Detection/Prevention Technologies Safety Turtle Source: Poseidon 19 saves with LGs on duty Wahoo Swim Monitor System In-pool alarms Easiest, quickest, cheapest solution Change the Culture from Lifejackets for Open water areas to All bodies of Water 10 3/06/2011 SUMMARY While continuing to promote … Constant, Active, Vigilant Supervision Engineer safer, shallower swimming pools with better barriers/safeguards “Note and Float” ALL non-swimmers. Strengthen Safety Signage Strategies. Embrace Drowning Detection/Prevention Technologies. Encourage “Learn to Swim Programs” for all children at an early age. Dr. Tom Griffiths President, Aquatic Safety Research Group tomgriffiths@aquaticsafetygroup.com 814-321-5242 11