T-L Photo/CARRI GRAHAM Martins Ferry swimming pool lifeguards, from left, Jacob Pielech, Morgan Vargo, Marli Krol, Kayleygh Vargo, Whitney Haught, Leah Pfister, Gia Starkey and Winnine Luong stand ready to keep patrons safe this summer. The crew offered some summer swimming safety tips while waiting for the pool to open.
MARTINS FERRY — With many local pools and beaches open for the season, lifeguards are providing some tips to help swimmers to remain safe this summer.
Martins Ferry has around a dozen trained lifeguards who will be on duty when the pool opens. The opening has been delayed by a mechanical problem, but city leaders are buying the necessary parts to complete the repairs.
Later in the summer, when attendance tends to decline, around five lifeguards will remain on duty at a time.
Bobbi Howard, city pool manager, said some of the biggest safety concerns at pools involve younger children not being accompanied by an adult, people failing to follow the pool’s rules and children not donning sunscreen, which could lead to sunburns.
“We don’t like for anyone under 12 to come to the pool without an adult. They may seem mature, but when they get around the pool everyone becomes a kid,” she said. “The most important rules are to obey the pool rules and obey the lifeguards.”
Marli Krol, head lifeguard, said the No. 1 priority at the pool is safety — the safety of those swimming and of those around the pool area. Kroll has been a lifeguard for the past three years and said she enjoys keeping people safe.
All of the lifeguards are certified through the American Red Cross.
Krol said a major concern at the facility is people running around the pool, which can lead to injuries from either falling onto the pool deck or into the pool.
“The little kids get excited and want to run on the pool deck and people can end up falling in or out of the pool, which is never good,” she said.
Krol said it’s important to follow the pool rules, which include:
No swimming when a lifeguard is not on the deck;
No running or rough play;
No diving in shallow areas;
No cartwheels into or around the pool; and
No standing or sitting on a fellow swimmer’s shoulders.
“We have some people that like to have what they call chicken fights, and that’s something that we see a lot,” she said.
Krol said there is a sign when entering the pool area that displays all the rules. She recommends people take a look at them prior to getting in the pool.
When taking your child to the pool, know their swimming strength, Krol advised. Only stronger swimmers should swim in the deeper areas of the pool.
“If you know they are not the best swimmer, make sure to bring floaties or a flotation device and always keep an eye on them. We have some problems with parents coming into the pool with their child and then leaving without them, letting them play all day. Always stay with your kid,” she added.
If a person witnesses someone in distress while in the water, Krol said to remain calm and immediately alert a lifeguard. She said a lifeguard will remove the person from the water and administer CPR if needed.
Howard reminds everyone to stay hydrated this summer and to always wear sunscreen, which should be applied every hour to prevent burning.
Once repairs are finished, all will be welcome to swim for free on opening day.
The Barnesville and St. Clairsville swimming pools are open. The city of Wheeling’s pools are set to open this weekend.
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June 05, 2021 at 04:01PM
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