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Commercial Swimming Pool Links

Swimming & Swimming Pools

Links to Everywhere

Information and links for commercial swimming pool staff, owners and users. Some of the more technical information is accessible from the main links page. Competitive swimming information and links are available on the swimming page. Also, please be aware that, while we have tried to organize the included links, and provide some information, the presence of a link in this list is not necessarily a recommendation.

Category: Commercial Pools

Subcategories

'Alternative' Chemicals and Sanitation
Chemicals
Information
Lifesaving
Manufacturers
Online Suppliers
Organizations
Publications
Regional Suppliers and Builders
Regulations
Technical Stuff

Notes about our links

Lifesaving

 Special topic: Heimlich FIRST links at end of this section!

Ellis & Associates Lifeguard Training and Facility Audits
 Ellis & Assoc. now trains and audits lifeguards at the great majority of waterparks around the world, and has produced dramatic reductions in drownings at most of their customer facilities. If you work with commericial pools and water safety, you should be familiar with their techniques, even if their services are not available to you. By most accounts, it was the hot breath of competitive pressure from Ellis that prompted the American Red Cross to produce the massive revision of their lifeguard training program, rolled out in 1995 and 1996.

LA County Lifeguards History Has interesting history of beach guarding in CA

Lifeguarding message board On going discusssion of current lifeguarding and rescue issues.

Heimlich Links: NOTE: There is currently controversy about use of the Heimlich manuever in CPR. Dr. Heimlich advocates 3 to 4 quick thrusts applied as soon as possible to a drowning victim. Ellis and Associates tested this in 1996, applying the thrust in-water, and found that of the 25+ non-breathing victims to whom the Heimlich was applied, this manuever ALONE was sufficient to restart breathing in more than 60% of cases. The ARC and AHA have made very negative statements about Heimlich FIRST, and there is some medical literature to support their position. (Search MEDLINE, use search terms, 'drowning Heimlich') However, it's worth noting that Ellis & Associates rescue and auditing techniques have reduced drowning rates at up to 90% at facilities where they are employed. We think this alone qualifies them as experts!

We're not sure what the answer is, but there seems to be a fair amount of ducking and running going on in the AGAINST camp. The arguments against seem to amount to:

  • Any medical fool can see this is wrong, so we don't need to study it!
  • All the data showing it works are only stories told by lifeguards, not by trained scientists — not that we have any trained scientists ready to get in the pool.
  • Joe Average will get confused if we tell him do USE the Heimlich first in CPR applied to drowning victims, but DON'T USE the Heimlich first, otherwise.
  • And, we've already got all our books written; this will complicate things.

So, here are the links regarding the "Heimlich FIRST".

The Heimlich Controversy in Near-Drowning Resuscitation
Against the Heimlich in water rescue CPR

Heimlich Manuever - AHA Recommendation
AHA position against the Heimlich first in rescue CPR

The Heimlich Manuever and Drowing
PRO-"Heimlich First" by Dr. Hunsucker of .

 

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Manufacturers

J & B Foam Fabricators Inc.
Manufacturer of foam products commonly used in swim instruction and water aerobics classes

Intermatic pool controls
  • Manufacturer of timers for pumps and heaters, product info.

    • Lamotte Company

  • One of the main companies producing high quality pool chemistry test kits and equipment. Watch out for their test strips and everyone else's, too! When the local health department switched to test strips, we went through a nightmare summer of screwball readings by environmentalists. Although they are advertised as as having a "Larger desiccant pack for better moisture resistance", we want the health department in Alaska or Hawaii, or maybe Guam to test them first. The strips apparently are not too bad — so long as they aren't exposed to dampness or humidity. (Fat chance of that around a Georgia pool in summertime!)

    • Pool Tile Info Online (UK)
     Pool tiles in the UK


    Strantrol pool and spa chemistry controllers

     

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