Topic
Palmer Pool Comprehensive Code of Conduct
General Facility Rules
1. No alcohol or drugs are allowed on the premises. Any persons exhibiting such behaviors will be required to leave without a refund or denied further entry to the pool, and will be reported to the proper authorities.
2. Glass is not permitted in the facility. This includes bottles and containers of any sort.
3. Food and drinks other than water are not allowed in the locker rooms or on the pool deck – this includes during competitions.
4. Persons with open wounds, sores, or any communicable disease may not enter the pool or hot tub.
5. Toys and equipment brought to the pool must be approved by the lifeguard(s) prior to use.
6. All equipment (including life jackets) will be used for its intended purpose, and at the discretion of the lifeguard. Emergency equipment may only be used by staff members.
7. Running or sliding is not permitted anywhere in the facility.
8. Smoking of any kind, vaping of any kind, the use of chewing tobacco and/or smokeless nicotine products are not allowed in the facility. Smokeless products (such as nicotine patches and pouches) must be removed before entering the pool or hot tub.
9. No weapons of any kind are allowed on the premises.
10. No profanity.
11. Use of the diving board or hot tub is not guaranteed.
12. Outdoor shoes are not to be worn in locker rooms or on the pool deck.
13. Lockers and locks are for daily use only. Locks that remain on lockers will be cut after the final program of each day.
14. Jewelry and other valuables should not be brought to the pool. The Matanuska Susitna Borough is not responsible for lost or stolen property.
15. Etiquette for the use of the locker rooms, family changing rooms, and public restroom is as follows: Leave the area as clean as you found it, be mindful of others, report maintenance or supply needs, and maintain sanitary conditions at all times.
Phone/camera usage is strictly prohibited. Failure to comply with these expectations may result in revocation or locker room privileges and/or pool facility access.
16. Patrons are prohibited from running in the bleacher area. Patrons are prohibited from standing on the bleacher benches, or hanging/swinging/climbing on the railings.
17. Going up on the catwalk in any capacity is strictly forbidden for all individuals, including staff members (unless authorized by the Mat-Su Borough Safety Manager).
18. All patrons are subject to the lifeguards' interpretation of the rules.
Swimming Rules
1. Payment is required before swimming or using the showers.
2. All patrons must sign a waiver before using the facility. All individuals under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a waiver for them (digitally on Finnly or a paper waiver) PRIOR to swimming, otherwise they will not be admitted.
3. A lifeguard must be on duty before entering the pool or hot tub.
4. Only regulation, standard swimwear will be allowed. Outside clothing may not be worn in the pool or the hot tub.
5. All persons must shower completely from head to toe before entering the pool or hot tub (exceptions may be made if the patron does not wish to get their head wet and does not submerge their head during the time they are in the water).
6. Swim diapers are required for all persons who lack bowel or bladder control.
7. All patrons under 9 years of age must be within arm's reach of a responsible individual 13 years of age or older at all times while in the water, even if they are wearing a life jacket. Patrons under the age of 9 may not be left alone in the water.
8. A responsible adult must be in the water and within arm's reach of any child using a flotation device (inflatable or otherwise) at all times.
9. Patrons under the age of 18 who wish to go in the deep end will either have to wear a life jacket, or pass a swimming proficiency test. Patrons unable to pass the swimming proficiency test may be accompanied in deep water by the parent, at the discretion of the lifeguard, providing the minor patron can swim 15 yards unsupported/unassisted. The parent must stay with the minor patron at all times.
10. Sitting or riding on another person's shoulders is prohibited. “Piggyback” riding will be allowed.
11. Rough play is not permitted. This includes dunking, excessive splashing, shoving, pushing, chokeholds, harassment, flirtatious behavior, PDA of any kind, and other behavior that the lifeguard may deem inappropriate.
12. No speed balls – a ball tossed, must go up before coming down. Balls may not be thrown at lifeguards or unwanting patrons.
13. Pool equipment in the labeled benches out on deck is prohibited from use during open swims (this includes fins/flippers, pool buoys, and kickboards).
14. Patrons are prohibited from walking or moving on deck while wearing fins/flippers.
15. Patrons are prohibited from jumping onto balls, large floaty toys (such as donuts or large platform floaties), or noodles from the side. Patrons also may not stand on top of balls or floaty toys, or play king of the hill. Floaty toys must be approved by the lifeguard(s) prior to use.
16. Patrons are prohibited from slapping the pool noodles, or slapping/hitting other patrons with them.
17. Kickboards must be used as intended. Patrons must keep them at the surface of the water during use, and are prohibited from sitting or standing on them, or using them as a torpedo.
18. Breath holding in excess of 30 seconds is prohibited.
19. Hanging on the diving board is not permitted.
20. Diving is allowed only in the diving well. Water less than 10 feet must be entered feet-first only.
21. No jumping into the kiddy pool, or from the steps into the kiddy pool. It must be entered via sliding in feet-first, or walking down the steps.
22. Flipping, running-and-jumping, and entering the pool backwards from the deck are prohibited, along with any stunt dives.
23. Climbing on/in, sitting, or standing on the pool barrier walls and bulkhead is prohibited.
24. Swimming under the bulkhead is strictly forbidden, except when the bulkhead is in the deep end. Under no circumstances will patrons be allowed on the bulkhead, nor can patrons climb onto the bulkhead from in the water or otherwise. Patrons may not put their arms up onto the bulkhead.
25. Patrons must be at least 13 years of age to use the hot tub.
26. No gum of any kind is allowed in the pool or the hot tub - this also includes the lifeguards and swim instructors.
27. Patrons swimming during lap swim, must be swimming laps, or exercising in the slow lane. Any minors who wish to swim during lap swim must be able to swim the full length of the pool (25 yards), unassisted and unsupported, without the use of a life jacket or other floatation device (except during Family Lap Swim, or for disabled minors attending Senior & Disabled Lap Swim).
28. Use of the starting blocks is strictly forbidden during lap swims, open swims, any public programs, along with public or private rentals. They can only be used during swim team practices/meets under coach supervision, and only if the bulkhead is positioned over shallow water (4.5ft or less). Hanging from the backstroke handles is only permitted during lap swims.
29. Patrons are prohibited from sitting, standing, leaning, or laying on the lane ropes. Patrons may only go under the lane ropes, not over.
30. Patrons are prohibited from teaching paid swimming lessons during public programs. Patrons must be licensed, bonded, insured, have a presented business plan, and have received written authorization from the Mat-Su Borough Manager in order to do so, and approval from the Pool Supervisor and/or Facility Manager.
31. The lifeguard(s) must be obeyed at all times. Failure to do so will result in expulsion from the facility without a refund. Be alert to signals from other lifeguards.
Hot Tub Rules
1. All patrons must shower completely from head to toe before entering the pool or hot tub.
2. A lifeguard must be on duty before entering the pool or hot tub. Do not use the hot tub alone or unsupervised.
3. Children 12 years of age and younger are prohibited from using the hot tub.
4. Do not spend more than fifteen minutes in the hot tub.
5. The temperature of the water should be maintained between 98 and 103 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Pregnant patrons, patrons on medications (such as opiates), elderly patrons, and patrons suffering from heart disease, diabetes, or high/low blood pressure should consult their physician before using the hot tub.
7. Do not use the hot tub under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
8. Always enter and exit carefully; watch your step!
9. All pool rules apply to those using the hot tub.
10. The maximum capacity of the hot tub is twelve patrons.
11. Patrons are prohibited from putting their head and/or face underwater in the hot tub.
12. The lifeguard(s) must be obeyed at all times. Failure to do so will result in expulsion from the facility without a refund.
Diving Rules
1. No diving in water less than ten feet deep. Water less than 10 feet must be entered feet-first only.
2. The diving area is off limits to swimming except when the lifeguard specifies swimming only. While the deep end is open for diving, swimming may be allowed in the deep end ONLY between the flags and the bulkhead.
3. Only front dives and jumping will be allowed from the side of the pool. Flipping, twisting, running-and-jumping, and entering the pool backwards from the deck are prohibited, along with any stunt dives or running dives.
4. Goggles are prohibited from being worn while using the diving boards.
5. Diving will not be allowed from the side of the board (straight off the end only).
6. Divers must wait until the previous diver has reached the stairs before diving. When both boards are in-use, divers will alternate between going off each board (no going off both boards simultaneously).
7. Only one person will be allowed on a given diving board at a time. An exception may be granted if an adult is helping a small child go off the diving board.
8. Diving boards can only be used when the bulkhead is moved to shallow water, and the flags have been moved back away from the boards. Exceptions may be granted during swimming lessons under instructor supervision.
9. Only one bounce allowed on the diving board. No running on the diving boards.
10. Divers must dive within their own ability. Difficult dives cannot be attempted without coach supervision.
11. The fulcrum must be all the way forward at all times. An exception will be made during dive team practices/dive meets when used under coach supervision.
12. If a child is going to jump off the diving board and the parent wants to be in the water to “catch” them. The parent MUST be far enough away that the child cannot jump on them.
13. Patrons in a life jacket must enter the water feet first, facing forwards, no dives, flips, twists, or anything fancy.
14. Patrons must exit the water once they reach the wall after diving.
15. Hanging from the diving boards will not be allowed.
16. The lifeguard(s) must be obeyed at all times. Failure to do so will result in expulsion from the facility without a refund.
Swim/Dive Team Addendum
1. All athletes must shower off from head to toe prior to entering the pool or the hot tub. Any patrons who haven’t will be sent back to the locker room to shower off.
2. During practices, the only time athletes will be allowed on the bulkhead will be during coach-led starts off the bulkhead, while the pool is set up shallow-to-deep (with the bulkhead positioned over deep water – at least 10 feet deep), with starts performed facing the shallow end. Under no circumstances may members (athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, parents, athletes from visiting teams, etc.) ever climb up/out onto the bulkhead from in the water or otherwise. Coaches are allowed on the bulkhead during practices and meets for coaching purposes.
3. During competitions, the only time athletes will be allowed on the bulkhead is if they are counting for long-distance events, or if they are competing in 8 & Under 25-yard events off of the bulkhead (members must be 8 years of age or younger to do so). Members are prohibited from practicing starts off of the bulkhead during competitions (sanctioned or unsanctioned, also including, but not limited to, time trials or practice meets during practice time), regardless of age or event.
4. All members will be subject to the same code of conduct as all other patrons. All members are also subject to all clauses contained within their Facility Use Permit.