The Alpena Plaza Pool does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, natural origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Alpena Plaza Pool prides itself in being open to all members of the community. Though we strive to create a warm and welcoming environment, pool staff cannot provide individual assistance to all patrons. Such individual assistance interferes with a lifeguard’s responsibilities. The Alpena Plaza pool reserves the right to require a patron provide an auxiliary aid such as a personal assistant or the use of a flotation device.

A lifeguard cannot perform adequate surveillance duties while also providing individual assistance to a patron with special needs. Such an intrusion can result in the failure of a lifeguard to notice other potential emergencies.

According to the American Red Cross 2007 Lifeguarding manual, drownings are most likely to occur when lifeguards fail to notice that a victim has slipped below the surface. Drownings in areas where lifeguards are on duty result from one or more of three causes, summarized as the RID factor (Pia, 1984)—Recognition, Intrusion and Distraction:

•The failure of the lifeguard to recognize the instinctive drowning response
•The intrusion of secondary duties on the lifeguard’s primary responsibility of patron surveillance
•Distraction from surveillance duties

Anyone entering the property of the Alpena Plaza Pool must adhere to the appropriate policies and procedures to ensure their safety and the safety of others. Our facility is not intended for rehabilitation participants must be able to physically and mentally perform the function required by the activity.

For the safety and well-being of all concerned, patrons wishing to use the deep end of the Alpena Plaza Pool must complete a skills observation test. The test may include but is not limited to, the observation of swimming one length of the pool (25 yards) without stopping, standing or grabbing onto the rope or side.

A patron must demonstrate safe and consistent swimming techniques. If a patron fails to pass the swimming skills test they are to remain in the shallow portion of the pool programming permitting.

Patrons recovering from surgery or serious illness are encouraged to seek the advice of medical professionals before returning to pool activities. Plaza Pool staff reserve the right to require a health release form be completed. Patrons requiring individual assistance are encouraged to bring an assistant with them when visiting the Alpena Plaza Pool. For example, patrons with severe psychomotor or cognitive impairments would be best served by swimming with a personal assistant to care for any non-emergency needs that might arise.

If at any time adverse conditions affect the patron’s ability to exhibit safe and consistent swimming behaviors. A periodic suspension from pool activities will be put into effect by pool management. The suspension is an act of proactive measure and to serve as the protection of all involved. There is no set time for this suspension and will be determined by pool management. Written permission for the attending physician attesting to the ability, type of activities able to be performed, safety equipment needed and whether in water assistance is to be provided by the patron.

A Health Release Form is available at the pool. This permission is not to include personal medical history, current conditions or any information violating HIPPA regulations. This form must be presented to pool management. Upon receiving doctor permission, pool management and approved staff will schedule a time to conduct an observation and test of the patron to determine if safe and consistent swimming behaviors are present. If at any time inconsistent and unsafe swimming behaviors reappear the patron will again be suspended from pool activities.