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will in turn be passed on to service
companies and communities.
Equipment Changes
Automated External Defibrillators, or
AEDs, are now required for all swim-
ming pools that employ a lifeguard. This
lifesaving piece of equipment is used to
help victims suffering from a sudden car-
diac arrest. The machine analyzes the
rhythm of the victim’s heart and provides
a shock if needed to help restore a
proper cadence. Sudden cardiac arrest
is one of the leading causes of death in
the United States. Since American Red
Cross Lifeguards are AED trained, it
makes sense to require such equipment
to be accessible to them from a commu-
nity health standpoint.
Elevated lifeguard stands or plat-
forms are now required for guarded
swimming pools over 2,000 square
feet and/or over 5 feet in depth.
While the height of these stands
is not articulated by the Code, the
expectation is that these stands have
adequate height for the lifeguard to
observe their entire zone of coverage.
Lifeguards must also have a good van-
tage point to see beneath the water
so they will benefit from the elevated
platforms. There are many types of
stands available so it is important to
obtain advice from your aquatic pro-
fessional for the best solution.
The contents of the required first
aid kit have also changed. The com-
plete list of contents can be found in
Appendix B of the new Code. It is
important to note that quantities of
required contents depends on the
square footage of the swimming pool.
All first aid kit restocking is expected
to occur within 24 hours of use so that
the kit always remains in compliance.
Swimming pools that employ salt
chlorine generators must have salinity
test on site. The new Code recognizes
that many pools are now using this tech-
nology and that there is a need to have
the ability to test salt levels regularly to
maintain their effectiveness in sanitation.
CONT I NU E S ON PAGE 20
“New Jersey is now
requiring local health
officers to inspect seasonal
pools at least once during
the season.”
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