The Redwoods Group

The Redwoods Group Insurance Program for YMCAs
Aquatic Alert 2003-4
Although the following incident does not involve a Redwoods insured YMCA, we want to impress upon you the role each of us plays in providing a safe environment.

Each year nearly 1500 children drown in the U.S., more than half in guarded pools. As we all know, a drowning can occur nearly anywhere. Yet, the natural inclination is to believe that one will not happen in our own community, especially at our own YMCA. Awareness of the threat's reality is critical. Reinforcing proven prevention strategies is an essential element in protecting the kids in our programs. Both are the goals for our "Aquatic Alert" program. Each is a brief treatment of the topic, focussing on a real, recent, public event... reprinting the published article in its entirety (omitting names and identifying references to the YMCA) and providing a few important teaching points for you to share with your staff.As always, if you need additional guidance on this topic, please call us at (800) 463 8546.

"Woman drowns in pool at YMCA -
ATTEMPTS TO REVIVE VICTIM FUTILE"

WEST COAST CITY, 08/05/2003: A 59-year-old [neighboring city] woman drowned Monday morning in a pool at the YMCA on [location] in [city]. [Victim] was found drifting face-down in a shallow pool by an on-duty lifeguard. Police do not believe foul play was involved.

The lifeguard administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation and abdominal compressions, but found no pulse, said [name], a YMCA spokeswoman. A swim instructor called 911 shortly after 9 a.m. Paramedics took the woman to [name] Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, said Lt. [name].

"Our hearts go out to her family," said [YMCA spokeswoman], who added that the woman had been a regular user of the pool for about two years.

The woman was apparently doing aquatic exercises in the 5-foot-deep pool, said YMCA Associate Executive Director [name]. The two pools at the YMCA, opened in 1995, have a spotless safety record, he said.

What we don't know:

anything significant about the incident...
whether she was exercising alone or as part of a class or group
how long she was "drifting" before being discovered
where the lifeguard(s) was (were) when she began experiencing trouble
what the lifeguard(s) was (were) doing at the time she began to experience trouble
anything significant about the victim
health
physical characteristics (height, weight, limitations)

What we do know:

the victim had been a regular user of the facility for the last two years
the pool is a shallow-water pool (i.e., 5' deep or less)
the article says she drowned... no indication is given of physical or medical trauma
the YMCA did express public concern for the victim's family

What we must remember:

vigilance is always necessary...
drowning is not restricted to children
drowning is not restricted to special events
drowning is not restricted to those unfamiliar with the pool or unknown to the guards
it is one thing for someone to die in our pool because of a medical event...it is quite another for someone to drown in our pool, whatever the initial source of trouble

Please call us at 800-463-8546 to discuss this or any other risk management concern, or visit our web site at www.redwoodsgroup.com to learn more about YMCA risk management related issues.

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Risk Management services are provided by The Redwoods Group to assist the insured in fulfilling its responsibilities for the control of potential loss-producing situations involving their YMCA operations. The information contained is not intended as legal advice; it simply represents trends in the YMCA industry, related industries and/or law. Laws and suggested standards are under constant review by courts, states and trade groups. They can be vastly different in each jurisdiction. For legal advice relating to any subject addressed, YMCAs are advised to seek the services of a local personal attorney. The information is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind and The Redwoods Group expressly disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to any information contained, including all implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The Redwoods Group assumes no liability of any kind for information and data contained or for any course of action you may take in reliance thereon.

released 10/15/03