Our USA Swimming team is starting practices again this week, June 18th. We've been paying close attention to the guidelines from our state, Illinois, and worked with our risk management agency to implement safe protocols for both users and staff.
My wife is immune compromised, so I've been taking social isolation and mask-wearing very seriously. If I get her sick, she's at higher risk of serious complications from COVID-19. I'm apprehensive about returning to the pool deck.
We'll be practicing in our 4-lane, 20-yard indoor pool. Here's what we've done to make it safer and allay many of my fears.
Cleared the Pool Deck
We had stuff everywhere: toys, tot benches, chairs for lifeguards and lap swimmers, lifeguard tubes, and hula hoops. The deck felt crowded. When the pool shut down for three months, we removed everything and put it into storage. Now there's significantly more room to move around without the extra clutter.
Taped Out Markers for 6-Foot Distancing
I'm not a huge believer that 6 feet of distance alone will protect me — it's one cough away from getting me sick. But the markings serve as a psychological reminder that you need to stay far away from other people. Getting close like we used to, without worry or concern for another person's germs, is no longer acceptable. The markings on the ground and the 6 feet of space reinforce the seriousness of the situation for our swimmers.
Remember: 6 feet apart isn't armor. It's a precaution. More distance is better if you can manage it.
One Swimmer at Each End of a Lane
Our swimmers will share a lane, with one person at each end. We're pairing people of similar ability so they don't run into each other or have to deal with lapping or interacting except for the brief moment they cross directions. In total, we'll have 7 swimmers in 4 lanes (one lane has an ADA staircase and can only support one swimmer).
Everyone Wears a Mask
Coaches on deck must wear masks the whole time. Lifeguards must wear masks the whole time (the only exception is when they enter the water for a rescue). Swimmers must enter with a mask and leave with one. This makes me feel better — I've been a diligent mask-wearer for the last three months, and I expect everyone else to follow suit. It's our civic duty living in a civilization. Wear a mask so I don't get your illness and bring it home to my family.
Open Doors and Increased Airflow
Our lifeguarding provider suggests increasing airflow through the pool. This helps with chloramines and droplet dispersion, allowing particles to diffuse into the air faster. Outside the pool, we'll blow fanned air into the large emergency doors to increase air flowing into the ejector vents.
Locked Down Locker Rooms
Right now, the locker rooms are closed. Swimmers enter in their suits and leave in them. They won't have an opportunity to change or shower. If a swimmer needs to use the restroom during practice, they can, but it's discouraged. Swimmers will enter through the large doors with the fan, swim, and exit through a locker room and out the building — without cycling back through the main entrance. We're making this a one-way flow to avoid contact between groups switching.
Coach Escorts
Swimmers will wait outside the building, 6 feet apart, before coming in. Inside, we'll escort them to the pool deck, and when practice ends, escort them out. Once they're out of the building, we'll escort the next group in.
One-Hour Blocks
With only 7 swimmers at a time, we're swimming all day in one-hour blocks from 9 AM to 5 PM. We're lucky to have a facility and that it's a time of year when we're not contending with school and work. Many participants can work from home, and swimmers have signed up for slots. More advanced swimmers get 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), and beginners swim 2 times a week (Tuesday, Thursday).
Lifeguards
We'll have 2 guards who don't share equipment and have their own break and guard chairs. They'll have their own section of the pool deck, and no swimmers will come in contact with them. They'll be near a phone for EAP activation and have gone through COVID-19-specific training.
Final Thoughts
I'm optimistic but cautious. I know face-covering fatigue is real, and I'm dreading wearing one for 8 hours straight. I know people do it, but it's uncomfortable. I hope that when you're considering reopening your pools, you're thinking about all the things you can do to keep yourself and your swimmers safe.
Stay healthy, stay smart, and operate with an abundance of caution.
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