ALA Facility Safety & Risk Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a facility's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) specifically address regarding staff roles?
- Who does what during an emergency, including communication and EMS activation (Correct answer)
- The facility's annual budget for safety equipment
- Training schedules for all lifeguards
- Procedures for handling difficult patrons
Correct answer: Who does what during an emergency, including communication and EMS activation
The EAP assigns specific roles — such as who calls 911, who manages the victim, and who controls crowds — ensuring organized, efficient emergency response.
Question 2: What type of log must lifeguards maintain throughout every operating day?
- Incident and injury log (Correct answer)
- Patron check-in log
- Weather observation log
- Cleaning schedule log
Correct answer: Incident and injury log
An incident and injury log documents all accidents, near-misses, and medical events, creating a legal and operational record essential for risk management.
Question 3: What is a 'drain entrapment' hazard in an aquatic facility?
- A swimmer's hair, limbs, or suit becoming trapped by suction at a drain (Correct answer)
- A blocked drain causing pool overflow
- A drain cover that is slippery and causes falls
- A corroded drain that cuts swimmers
Correct answer: A swimmer's hair, limbs, or suit becoming trapped by suction at a drain
Drain entrapment occurs when pool circulation suction traps hair, clothing, or body parts against a drain, potentially holding a swimmer underwater.
Question 4: Which federal law requires anti-entrapment drain covers on public pools and spas in the United States?
- Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (Correct answer)
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Occupational Safety and Health Act
- Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
Correct answer: Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (2008) mandates anti-entrapment drain covers and safety vacuum release systems to prevent suction entrapment drownings.
Question 5: What does a 'slip and fall' prevention plan at an aquatic facility typically include?
- Non-slip deck surfaces, enforced no-running rules, and proper drainage (Correct answer)
- Life jackets required for all patrons on the deck
- Carpeting around the pool perimeter
- Limiting the number of patrons on the deck at one time
Correct answer: Non-slip deck surfaces, enforced no-running rules, and proper drainage
Preventing slip-and-fall incidents requires physical deck safety features, enforced behavior rules, and adequate drainage to prevent standing water on walkways.
Question 6: What is the minimum recommended number of rescue ring buoys that should be available at an outdoor aquatic facility?
- One per 2,500 square feet of water surface area
- One total for any size facility
- One per lifeguard station (Correct answer)
- One per 50 patrons in the water
Correct answer: One per lifeguard station
ALA and most state regulations require at minimum one ring buoy per lifeguard station so each guard has immediate throwing rescue equipment available.
ALA Facility Safety & Risk Management 2
What does a facility's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) specifically address regarding staff roles?