Pool party

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you need a lifeguard for 10 yr olds at a pool, as long as at least two adults are present at all times. Nearly all UMC 10 yr olds can swim.

Most people who drown in swiming pools can swim.

[Anonymous]

My son has been hired to lifeguard parties like this and says there are more rescues at these than at the regular pool job. He thinks it is because the pools are smaller, there are no real rules, and the kids are more jacked up, excited and less cautious. Also parents tend to be less vigilant because it "feels" safer than at a public or club pool.

Also, the more parents you have there, the less anyone pays attention because they all figure someone else is watching.

[Anonymous]

I really don’t understand why OP wouldn’t hire a lifeguard. Is it just to save a few hundred dollars?

[Anonymous]

Lifeguards rotate frequently to stay alert. I would hire 2 teens and ask them to clear the pool for 10 min each hour like a real pool.

My oldest is almost 10 and a competitive swimmer - but he was a competent swimmer long before he could float or tread water. Many 10 year olds are not strong swimmers and kids that age of any skill level are not able to reliably judge when they are tired, over heated, dehydrated, or just need a break. I would not want responsibility for other people’s kids in that situation.

Drowning doesn’t look like what most people think. It’s often quiet and undramatic. I would trust a trained teen with experience working at a local pool over a bunch of adults half paying attention.

[Anonymous]

I would have a couple parents stay and rotate who is “on” to watch the pool or hire a lifeguard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really don’t understand why OP wouldn’t hire a lifeguard. Is it just to save a few hundred dollars?

Because it's a handful of 10 year old girls. A parent or two can handle it. Why is a teen "lifeguard" so important?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lifeguards rotate frequently to stay alert. I would hire 2 teens and ask them to clear the pool for 10 min each hour like a real pool.

My oldest is almost 10 and a competitive swimmer - but he was a competent swimmer long before he could float or tread water. Many 10 year olds are not strong swimmers and kids that age of any skill level are not able to reliably judge when they are tired, over heated, dehydrated, or just need a break. I would not want responsibility for other people’s kids in that situation.

Drowning doesn’t look like what most people think. It’s often quiet and undramatic. I would trust a trained teen with experience working at a local pool over a bunch of adults half paying attention.

Uh no. Total overkill and unnecessary for this age.

[Anonymous]

+100 to hiring a teen lifeguard or 2 from your local summer swim club

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m f OP is asking their parents stay because she’s concerned about the girls’ safety, then she should hire a lifeguard.

Exactly

[Anonymous]

I've been in the backyard pool situation when a little kid fell in the water near me and obviously couldn't swim or tread water. Parents were nearby but looking the other way. I jumped in fully clothed to pull her out.

I think you'd be fine with a few parents, IF you have 2-3 responsible parents who agree to act as pool monitors. Never leave the pool unattended - if the parent on duty has to walk away, they need to tag in a replacement. Everyone should know who is in charge at any point in time. If everyone thinks that someone else is watching, then nobody is watching. And all those parents need to be prepared to jump in - I recommend not carrying cell phones in your pockets (learned that one the hard way).

[Anonymous]

I will pee in your pool and eat your deviled eggs.
You’re welcome.

[Anonymous]

We hire a teen lifeguard for kids' parties. We also limit pool parties to two hours - we do an hour in the pool, a break for snacks, and then back in the pool for another 30 minutes before wrapping up with pizza & cupcakes.

[Anonymous]

I was playing in the deep end at our town pool with my 10 year old (strong swimmer) and my 6 year old (in a life vest). There was a lifeguard in a chair and another walking around. Three other girls (also about 10) were playing. One came up and went under as her friend climbed in her. She bobbed up for a moment and gasped “help” as her friend kept playing / climbing on her. I yelled “let go! Let go of her right now!” Pushed my kids to the edge and then made sure the girl was okay. She came up coughing and spluttering and I stayed with her as she swam the few feet to the edge of the pool. Later the girls were kind of pointing / whispering as we were near them on the pool deck. One came over and said “it was just a game. She would have been fine.” My 10 year old said she heard them call me “that crazy mom” but I didn’t mind being a “crazy mom”. I wonder if I hadn’t been there whether / when the life guard would have seen!

I do think having a bunch of parents there isn’t really much safer than few parents. You need adults who are designated to watch and / or a buddy system with frequent checks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was playing in the deep end at our town pool with my 10 year old (strong swimmer) and my 6 year old (in a life vest). There was a lifeguard in a chair and another walking around. Three other girls (also about 10) were playing. One came up and went under as her friend climbed in her. She bobbed up for a moment and gasped “help” as her friend kept playing / climbing on her. I yelled “let go! Let go of her right now!” Pushed my kids to the edge and then made sure the girl was okay. She came up coughing and spluttering and I stayed with her as she swam the few feet to the edge of the pool. Later the girls were kind of pointing / whispering as we were near them on the pool deck. One came over and said “it was just a game. She would have been fine.” My 10 year old said she heard them call me “that crazy mom” but I didn’t mind being a “crazy mom”. I wonder if I hadn’t been there whether / when the life guard would have seen!

I do think having a bunch of parents there isn’t really much safer than few parents. You need adults who are designated to watch and / or a buddy system with frequent checks

Yes this is exactly what I saw happen with my son playing with his friends as well. The kids were horsing around and he was not an extremely strong swimmer. I was so surprised that the kids kept on pushing him under like that "climbing on him" and didn't seem to see a problem at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you need a lifeguard for 10 yr olds at a pool, as long as at least two adults are present at all times. Nearly all UMC 10 yr olds can swim.

Most people who drown in swiming pools can swim.

Try again. It’s under 5 kids who can’t swim.