What important factors will you prevent from to choose courses baby swimming for your children. baby swimming
1st REASON – SAFETY
Safety is the first and most important reason for choosing or not to participate in infant swimming lessons with your child. Safety is divided into A) facility safety and B) staff safety.
Facility security
Locker room heating
Changing rooms should be adequately heated because infants and toddlers are at risk of hypothermia. Also, because they are tired from class, the cold can cause greater exhaustion and make them more susceptible to the common cold.
Anti-slip floor
The floor should be made of non-slip material to avoid serious accidents from slipping. If the floor covering material is not non-slip then it should be covered with a removable non-slip material or have adhesive non-slip strips attached.
Shatterproof or safety glass
Check if the windows in the space (if any) are safety or shatterproof.
Suitable swimming pool
Adults should be able to step over the entire length and width of the swimming pool (hereinafter referred to as the "swimming pool"). If it has a cover, a ventilation and dehumidification system should be operating simultaneously to avoid poisoning from chlorine fumes and to prevent the growth of fungi.
If there is a program for children under 6 months, the pool and changing rooms must be covered and there must be no corridor exposed to external environmental conditions.
Swimming pool water disinfection
Approved by the competent body (Prefecture) and safest - until the time of writing this - method of disinfecting the water of a public swimming pool is chlorine.
A public swimming pool is one that is open to the general public (i.e. even a private swimming pool is considered public).
Chlorine is effective in killing all pathogenic microorganisms that may be found in the pool water, at any point and if this happens because it is dissolved throughout the entire volume of the water. This property is called the "residual action" of chlorine
The residual action of chlorine makes it capable of being the MAIN form of disinfection of a swimming pool's water. That is, the water of a swimming pool that is disinfected only with chlorine in its correct proportion, in combination with the correct PH, is healthy and safe for swimming by infants and toddlers.
There are some forms of disinfection which are called COMPLEMENTARY and are allowed to be used in conjunction with chlorine and never on their own. This happens for example with ozonation (OZONE) and with ultraviolet rays (UV). Both of these systems disinfect water LOCALLY and do not have the residual effect of chlorine, that is, they do not produce substances that dissolve and remain dissolved in the water.
Thus, the water that passes through the ozonation or ultraviolet radiation machine will be completely disinfected, but immediately after it leaves it will be exposed to all forms of infections. However, these systems can coexist with chlorine and increase its capacity.
So:
Ozone without chlorine cannot exist or if this happens then the water in this particular pool is unsuitable for swimming.
Amount of chlorine in the tank water: 60mg/l
Also
- Chlorine in the above amount does not cause skin problems.
- It is harmless to the respiratory system as long as the space is adequately ventilated.
- Chlorine maintains high disinfecting capacity even at high water temperatures in the tank (>30°C) – see below that infant swimming lessons require a water temperature of at least 30°C.
- In the case where both disinfection systems are present (ozonation and chlorination), the amount of chlorine can be reduced by half with the same disinfecting effect.
There is one main method of disinfection such as chlorine that can be used instead but only in private pools because it is not as strong and does not maintain good disinfection capacity at high temperatures. It is disinfection with hydrogen peroxide, also referred to as oxygen disinfection. This method is FORBIDDEN to be used in public pools nor can it coexist with chlorine (one substance neutralizes the other). baby swimming
The pool must have an automatic chlorine injection system so that its quantity is constant 24 hours a day. Also, for preventive reasons, it should be measured in the pool water with a portable chlorine measuring device or a chemical chlorine test before the lesson.
In any case, the current chlorine price must be displayed in a prominent place for everyone to see.
Useful Information: If you smell chlorine in the pool area, it does not necessarily mean that there is a lot of it. It may be that there is insufficient ventilation or a large amount of the existing chlorine has been bound due to pollutants.
Water pH
PH is the unit of measurement of acid-base balance, that is, it shows us how acidic or alkaline a solution is. Swimming pool water should have a PH value of 7.6. The value of this value is very high because at this value chlorine has its greatest disinfecting capacity. If the PH is not ideal, then the disinfecting capacity of chlorine is drastically reduced.
The pool must have an automatic PH adjustment system so that it is stable 24 hours a day. Also, for preventive reasons, the pool water should be measured with a portable PH meter or a chemical PH test before the lesson.
In any case, the current PH value must be displayed in a prominent place for everyone to see.
PH value in the tank water: 7.6
Useful information: If your eyes sting excessively underwater, this is due to a PH imbalance.
Swimming pool water heating
Infants are particularly vulnerable to low temperatures and can easily become hypothermic in inappropriate water temperatures compared to inappropriate ambient temperatures. This is because we lose 25 times more heat in water than in air.
So, for example, in a 25 degree environment we can stay for an unlimited time with a simple T-shirt, while in 25 degree water we cannot stay for more than a few minutes. baby swimming
The temperature of the pool water is very important for the health of infants and toddlers and should range from
– 34°C for infants from the age of 5 weeks to 30°C for ages over 6 months.
The pool must have an automatic temperature regulation system, but there must also be a liquid thermometer with a certificate of validity of its value for on-site measurement of the pool water before the lesson.
In any case, the current temperature value must be displayed in a prominent place for everyone to see. baby swimming
Useful information: Do not judge the water temperature based on how it feels. The “feeling” of the water temperature varies depending on the season, your mood, your body type, your stamina and your fatigue. Only the thermometer is an objective judge. Ask to be shown it.
Diagram 1
• Chlorination (CL2) is a valid disinfection method
• Ozonation (O3)
• UV rays
• Hydrogen Peroxide H2O2
Security provided by staff
Infant swimming instructors must be certified in first aid for infants and toddlers.
There should also be a medical office with nursing staff on site and an extra portable pharmacy for the pool area.
2ND REASON – CLEANLINESS
Locker room cleaning
In this paragraph we will not refer to the necessity of cleanliness in the changing rooms and other common areas because it goes without saying that they must be impeccable. We will refer to checking the cleanliness of certain "hidden" areas.
- Look for rust on the legs of the benches. If there is, these benches are unsuitable and pollute the space. The best benches are those that rest against the wall and leave the space below free. Also check for rust in other places such as hangers, doors, windows. baby swimming
- Check for dirt in the corners and especially in the toilet and showers.
- Check the drainage of the toilet and shower floors. Every last drop of water must end up in the siphon, otherwise stagnant water is created that can grow a multitude of pathogenic microorganisms.
Note: you can also determine if there is standing water by any "shadows" on the floor that reveal it.
- Check for clogs in sinks and faucets
- Check the ceiling for spiders and the locker room ventilation inlets for dust and lint.
- If there are cabinets or closets, check for dust and debris on and inside them.
- Look under the pads that baby changing tables may have, as well as underneath them.
- Ask about the locker room cleaning schedule. The floor should be cleaned before each swimming session, approximately every 30-45 minutes, and there should be a cleaning checklist outside, which the cleaning staff will sign after each cleaning.
– A swimming pool must have a professional steam vacuum cleaner with water suction for cleaning the locker room area, which cleans and disinfects without chemicals.
– Cleaning with professional cleaning chemicals should be done once every 24 hours and when the changing rooms are not in use, usually at the end of the day.
Useful information: If the tiles have black "shadows" in the joints, this may be an indication of poor cleaning in the past and not in the present. Ask for them to be cleaned thoroughly with special chemicals and monitor their progress over time. Excuses like "it doesn't come out because it's painted" are, to say the least, ridiculous. baby swimming
The cleanliness of the swimming pool changing room should be better than that at home.
Shower control
You are required to shower before entering the pool. Check for a sign reminding you and don't hesitate to speak to anyone who is not following this rule.
Foot disinfection tank
Before you leave the changing rooms, there should be a shallow tank of water and chlorine solution that you are required to walk through, cleaning and disinfecting your feet in this way. Check during peak hours to see if this water is being refreshed. The most modern foot disinfection tanks feature recycling with filters and automatic chlorination, but it is rare to find them anywhere (as of this writing).
Cleanliness in the surrounding area of the pool
THE area around the pool It must be particularly clean because we and our children step barefoot on it before entering the pool (after leaving our slippers and until we enter the water). If there are benches, check for any rust. Any dirt in the area next to the pool eventually ends up in it.
Request a tour
Visit the swimming pool and ask for permission to view the facilities. Prefer peak hours (usually 4:00 PM-8:00 PM) to see if the locker room cleaning schedule is working properly. Ask for the swimming pool's operating regulations and study them.
PLEASE NOTE: The janitor is a very useful specialty that is usually missing from swimming pools. However, he is the one who can check and correct any errors in the operating system as well as bring back to order those who do not fully follow the rules of the swimming pool (e.g. those who do not shower before entering the pool). Ask if there is one. baby swimming
3RD REASON – TRAINED EDUCATIONAL STAFF
Legally, holders of a degree from the Department of Physical Education & Sports (TEFAA) with a specialization in swimming can practice the profession of infant swimming coach. In reality, however, holders of this degree have not been taught this subject in their specialty because -up to the time of writing this (1/1/2010)- there is no appointed staff with the expertise to teach it in Greek universities. Infant swimming coaches must have attended and continuously attend seminars on the subject or have some other certified training.
The most appropriate seminar is held every 2 years by the WABC organization and is global. WABC also conducts certified training in teaching how to teach infant swimming
Ask for the credentials of the teaching staff.
The three aforementioned reasons, because they concern the safety of infants and toddlers, are considered necessary as a prerequisite for the operation of an infant swimming program.
The following seven reasons demonstrate the quality of education provided by the program you are applying to.
4th REASON – EMPLOYEE INSURANCE-PERSONNEL INVESTMENT
In our country (up to the time of writing this), 4 out of 5 physical education teachers specializing in swimming are under financial hostage status, mainly by swimming clubs because they work without insurance.
When a job does not offer you the bare minimum, namely the official recognition that you are a worker working for the common good, then it is automatically devalued and falls into the category of a “second job for a supplement.” Employers should invest in their educational staff by providing, in addition to the obvious (insurance and standard payroll), subsidies for further education.
Ask if the staff is insured.
NOTE: Monitor whether the staff is stable or changes frequently. If the latter happens repeatedly, it means that the company does not invest in its staff and definitely has a low level of training provision. baby swimming
5th REASON – COACH-STUDENT RATIO
The ratio of teaching staff to students is a very important element of the quality of education. This ratio depends on the age of the children and the structure of the department, so:
- For programs with parent participation, the ideal ratio is 1/4. With particularly good organizational conditions, a ratio of 1/6 is considered satisfactory.
- If the programs are without the participation of the parent then up to the age of 2.5 years the ratio is 1/1, from 2.5-3 years it is 1/2 and from 3-4 years it is 1/3-1/4. For older ages (2.5-4 years) the ratio depends a lot on the degree of cooperation of the toddlers. If the toddlers are cooperative then the ratios can be changed but in no case can they be reduced below 1/6.
6th REASON – SEMINARS FOR PARENTS
A baby swimming program with parent participation must definitely include theoretical lessons for them. In the theoretical lessons, parents are informed by the head teacher about “what baby swimming is”, “why it is done”, “what steps we will follow” and “how to cooperate in the best possible way”. After this process, parents are 100% active.
First Aid seminars for parents should also be organized throughout the year, in collaboration with infant swimming schools and by competent bodies.
There should also be at least one informative lecture on the dangers of swimming in the sea (see chapter C).
7th REASON – EXISTENCE OF SPECIALIZED ASSISTANT MEANS
In addition to the toys, which are essential during the lesson, there are also some aids that are designed exclusively for infant and toddler swimming. Although their cost is 25-50% higher than the other aids that are widely available on the market, they perfectly complement and help an infant swimming lesson like a proper tool to a good craftsman. In addition, they are of very good quality and withstand time.
8th WORD Organized secretariat
The administrative services of an infant swimming program can greatly facilitate your participation in the program.
A well-organized secretariat should:
- To provide information about the weekly program, participation documents and tuition fees
- Provide information about baby products and educational seminars
- Keep priority lists
- Have an approachable and friendly "face" towards customers
- To inform members in a timely manner in cases of program changes and in cases of organizing events
The last point cannot be determined from a single visit but only over time. Determine the first four.
9th LOGOS – Entertainment events – Photography & videography service
An educational program, such as infant swimming, must organize social-entertainment events. Imagine a kindergarten without a Christmas, Easter, Carnival, etc. celebration, or without a final celebration with theater and poems. Would you choose to include your child in its program?
In the case of the infant swimming school, at least one cake cutting party and one trip to the beach can be organized in the summer. These events are entertaining, bring members closer together, and create a more intimate and friendly atmosphere.
The moments you spend with your child in the pool will be some of the most beautiful you have ever experienced. They can remain indelible in time if there is the possibility of video recording and photography, even underwater. This service can be provided by the program in collaboration with a professional photographer.
10th REASON – Teachers' love for the subject of infant swimming
Infant swimming is a subject that can be taught to teachers. The technical part (pedagogy and coaching) is simple and can be mastered by any physical education teacher. This constitutes the body of the program.
An infant swimming coach should love their chosen subject and practice it as they would a hobby. This is the soul of the program and is the key to success.
How many teachers can do this, though? There are many more than you might imagine, as long as they are not undermined by their employers.
Saltamanikas Nikolas
Your AQUA spot program manager
Graduated from the Department of Science of Physical Education & Sports of the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens /Ed. Swimming of all categories
Master, Physical Education (Sport Management) LUC
FOUNDER / www.pool-about.gr / Pool ABOUT SALON - EXPO
nikos.saltamanikas@gmail.com
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