dude awesome article about us guards at splash island...
exerp from the indy star-
Laura Whitlock paces back and forth, focusing intently on the blue water and the children playing in it.
Posted signs tell patrons not to talk to Whitlock and other lifeguards at Plainfield's Splash Island Aquatic Center. If they try, they shouldn't expect a response.
"Them not talking flies in the face of customer service," said Irvington's Dave Leising, who visited the park for the first time this week with his wife and three young children. "But that is exactly how I want it to be. One of the biggest reasons we have stayed here today is because of their attentiveness. It just gives us a whole other level of confidence."
In Splash Island's first-ever surprise audit last month by Ellis & Associates -- the Texas-based developer of the lifeguard program at Splash Island as well as all Indy Parks pools -- the facility and its workers not only passed but exceeded expectations. And Whitlock, 18, Plainfield, stood out as the best, receiving the Golden Guard award for her work.
Inspectors singled Whitlock out because of her focus while scanning the water.
"Our training is quite intense because we put them through organized chaos, and it can be quite a shock," said Nate Thorne, Splash Island manager of aquatic operations.
"She was initially overwhelmed. But through our weekly training and supervision, she caught on to our philosophy that if you do a good enough job scanning your portion of the pool, you won't ever have to perform (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)."
The Ellis system requires 20 hours of initial training and four hours of continued training each month. It utilizes zones, which require lifeguards to scan specific areas of the pool. Lifeguards have 10 seconds to spot a guest in trouble and 20 seconds to get there.
The random audits occur during operational hours. The audits utilize hidden cameras and on-the-job tests.
In the case of Splash Island, a mannequin was sent down the water slide unbeknownst to the lifeguards below. The closest lifeguard spotted and reached the mannequin within 4 seconds.
Whitlock, 18, admitted that the demands of her first year as a lifeguard shocked and somewhat frightened her.
"I don't think I initially thought about how much responsibility this was going to be," said Whitlock, who will attend Purdue University this fall. "But I think I stood out because I have realized the importance of it.
"You have a zone, and you have to make sure that zone is safe."
Whitlock had one save this summer. A 2-year-old boy wandered into water that was too deep for him, and when he began flailing, Whitlock sprang into action.
"It has started to become an instinct for all of us if we see somebody struggling."
Becky VanWanzeele can attest to that. The Plainfield resident has spent many days this summer at Splash Island with her grandkids.
She immediately noticed the dedication and vigilance of the young guards. One incident this summer really brought it home.
One of VanWanzeele's grandchildren sometimes looks like she is struggling when she actually is swimming. The lifeguard covering that area focused in on her and jumped in to save her.
"It was instantaneous," VanWanzeele said. "Even though she wasn't in trouble, I was so impressed and relieved by how quick that lifeguard reacted.
"They don't hesitate to ask questions. They just go in and get you."
Laura Whitlock paces back and forth, focusing intently on the blue water and the children playing in it.
Posted signs tell patrons not to talk to Whitlock and other lifeguards at Plainfield's Splash Island Aquatic Center. If they try, they shouldn't expect a response.
"Them not talking flies in the face of customer service," said Irvington's Dave Leising, who visited the park for the first time this week with his wife and three young children. "But that is exactly how I want it to be. One of the biggest reasons we have stayed here today is because of their attentiveness. It just gives us a whole other level of confidence."
In Splash Island's first-ever surprise audit last month by Ellis & Associates -- the Texas-based developer of the lifeguard program at Splash Island as well as all Indy Parks pools -- the facility and its workers not only passed but exceeded expectations. And Whitlock, 18, Plainfield, stood out as the best, receiving the Golden Guard award for her work.
Inspectors singled Whitlock out because of her focus while scanning the water.
"Our training is quite intense because we put them through organized chaos, and it can be quite a shock," said Nate Thorne, Splash Island manager of aquatic operations.
"She was initially overwhelmed. But through our weekly training and supervision, she caught on to our philosophy that if you do a good enough job scanning your portion of the pool, you won't ever have to perform (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)."
The Ellis system requires 20 hours of initial training and four hours of continued training each month. It utilizes zones, which require lifeguards to scan specific areas of the pool. Lifeguards have 10 seconds to spot a guest in trouble and 20 seconds to get there.
The random audits occur during operational hours. The audits utilize hidden cameras and on-the-job tests.
In the case of Splash Island, a mannequin was sent down the water slide unbeknownst to the lifeguards below. The closest lifeguard spotted and reached the mannequin within 4 seconds.
Whitlock, 18, admitted that the demands of her first year as a lifeguard shocked and somewhat frightened her.
"I don't think I initially thought about how much responsibility this was going to be," said Whitlock, who will attend Purdue University this fall. "But I think I stood out because I have realized the importance of it.
"You have a zone, and you have to make sure that zone is safe."
Whitlock had one save this summer. A 2-year-old boy wandered into water that was too deep for him, and when he began flailing, Whitlock sprang into action.
"It has started to become an instinct for all of us if we see somebody struggling."
Becky VanWanzeele can attest to that. The Plainfield resident has spent many days this summer at Splash Island with her grandkids.
She immediately noticed the dedication and vigilance of the young guards. One incident this summer really brought it home.
One of VanWanzeele's grandchildren sometimes looks like she is struggling when she actually is swimming. The lifeguard covering that area focused in on her and jumped in to save her.
"It was instantaneous," VanWanzeele said. "Even though she wasn't in trouble, I was so impressed and relieved by how quick that lifeguard reacted.
"They don't hesitate to ask questions. They just go in and get you."