Of all the requirements for a safer aquatics program, topping the list (after the swimming ability of your lifeguards) is good vision. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second leading cause of injury and death among ages 1 to 14 years. For lifeguards, good eyesight is a literal life-saver — you can’t save someone you can’t see. PDRMA offers webinars, handbooks, guides and training for aquatic managers, but it's our Lifeguard Vision Screening program, offered at no cost to members, that's essential — and easy — according to two agency managers.

River Trails Park District

“Having our guards complete the Vision Screening tests helps ensure they will be able to perform their job duties optimally,” says Katie Halverson, CPRP, AFO, Recreation Supervisor, River Trails Park District. “It’s a standard component of our first day of training. Guards are always very cooperative, as it’s a straightforward vision test that only takes a few minutes, making it easy for everyone to use. And being able to submit results online makes it convenient and simple for staff to complete...

Ideas you may have already implemented — or would if you only had the money — could score you up to $2,500 in grants. There’s no catch; all it takes is an entry form submitted by Sept. 2, 2022, to PDRMA’s Risk Management Grant and Recognition Program.

“It’s never too early to start thinking about the Risk Management Grant and Recognition Program,” points out Lindsey Robertson, PDRMA Risk Management Consultant. “And since each agency can submit up to two entries per year, don’t add it to the to-do pile — you can submit one now, and you’ll still have time to submit another before the deadline, if a second great idea comes to mind later this summer.”

Maybe it’s a thought someone shares at a staff meeting. Or maybe it’s a simple fix a maintenance employee came up with in a pinch that worked like a charm. It might even have been just a random comment from a driver or a lifeguard that, with a little thought, turned out to be an extremely grant worthy idea.

“The best part about this program,” Lenac adds, “is that anyone can have a winning idea that earns your agency a cash grant...

After an extensive pilot program — and a pandemic — we’re rolling out the new Risk Management Review (RMR) in 2022! Based on a more interactive (and online) partnership to determine....

Spring is in the air — at last! And with COVID not currently an imminent threat (hopefully), you may very well see an uptick in patron visits this year. Preparing for a potentially very busy spring and summer is more important than ever...