Pahoa Pool Closed

[unknownjulie]

I have always thought it strange that they dont have someone seated at the entrance.

[Carey]

So you are used to public pools that have some sort of limited access....

The pools in this county are open to all, residents, non-residents, anyone...just like the beaches - believe it or not, there are many areas of the country that have limited access beaches, you have to have a pass or pay an admission fee to enter the beach... those beaches have someone at the entrance, beaches without limited access do not need, and usually do not have, some one at the entrance, same with open & limited access pools..

[Guest]

I like the rule where the person who is "it" yells "out", and if someone is out, they are "it". Sometimes there is more then one out, so the last person in is "it". Its best to jump over the head of the person who is "it" when you are getting back in, this ****s with their head. In all the years that I have played marco polo, never seen anyone get hurt. The shallow water blackout seems extreme for a game of marco polo, given that there is not much incentive to stay under in the game unless they are right on top of you and you need to swim away without saying "polo" so they cant find you. Do people really push themselves to shallow water blackout in a 6 foot pool? I have only ever seen it happen when freediving, usually associated with some sort of hyperventilating breath hold tricks or something.

Maybe I can start the Pahoa Marco Polo club and we can set up a swim program with a syllabus and insurance. Anybody else like marco polo?

[unknownjulie]

Hey, I'm in my house right now yelling, "Marco". If you yell back "Polo" from your house, then maybe we can get this all together and organized! (that is if we avoid shallow water blackouts)

[Greg]

I would encourage inquiring minds to call the pool and ask when the next American Red Cross life saving course will be held. You will be trained in First Aid, CPR, and all aquatics related safety issues.

Not only will more trained people in the area make everyone safer; but many of your questions about certain rules and procedures will be answered.

[Guest]

I have held all those certifications, as well as basic water safety and WFR. Never heard of marco polo being dangerous till this thread.

POLO!

[unknownjulie]

I have taken all of the basic water classes as well, CPR and also ACLS (am no longer certified in ACLS). I still dont quite understand the strictness, or the organization, of this particular pool. MARCO!

[Greg]

The County is going to err on the side of safety.

Look at it from the lifeguard's point of view;

Would allowing Marco Polo mean other games are allowed? How about pyramids or towel snapping? What form of Marco Polo? Official Marco Polo association sanctioned rules? Or a localized Puna variation? Would rules and guidelines be posted? Could the rules evolve over time?

Would an area be set up specifically for Marco Polo? Would this conflict with lap swimming? Could the players hide beneath the pool divider? Would the players have to keep their Marcos and Polos under a certain decibel level?

Finally, most importantly; Would this game in any way distract the lifeguards from their duty of simultaneously watching the entire pool area from deck to diving boards; from the keiki pool to the deep end?
How about the locker rooms? Parking lot? That's also part of their kuleana.

Maybe it would be simpler and safer, with the County's limited resources, and the lifeguards already difficult responsibilities, to just say: "No Marco Polo".

It's a hard world out there, enjoy the pool!
[]

[Carey]

It is interesting that in all of the water safety expertise we have here, none of them even noticed this from one of the life saving experts:
" Sometimes there is more then one out, so the last person in is "it". Its best to jump over the head of the person who is "it" when you are getting back in, this ****s with their head. In all the years that I have played marco polo, never seen anyone get hurt."

Have NO IDEA where you learned your water safety.... but jumping into the pool OVER THE HEADS of others might be a teeny tiny lapse in pool safety rules...

Added: In all of the years I have guarded & been in & around pools, I have never seen anyone stuck on a filter cover...does that mean no-one has ever died that way???

As the pool compliance closures are BECAUSE this has happened...I would guess that the expert testimony of one persons experience is ..... insufficient to make policy...

[dmbwest]

Hi Carey,

Believe me that little ditty 'jumped' right off the page @ me. Ugh, just stoopid ...

Did not have time to write then.

Back to work,
aloha,
pog

Edit to add ... Bingo on closures ... Imagine getting sucked in and pinned down there ????