SAFETY
April 23, 2005

The 2004 Accident Summary reported 835 accidents nationally.  56% of the accidents occurred outside the water while 44% occurred in the water.  46% of the accidents were during a meet/competition.  89% involved athletes with 23% being in the 11-12 age range (19% were ages 13-14)  Leg/foot at 26% was the #1 injury with head/neck and hand/arm at 17% each in second place.

Out of the 835 2004 accidents, we had 18 Reports of Occurrence within our LSC.  72% of our injuries occurred outside the water while 28% were water related.  Our out of water injuries included falls on deck and off bleachers, scrapes/cuts on stairs and going through a doorway, swimmers being pushed against the block and into a wall and swimmers colliding while jogging.  Water related injuries included a “stiff-armed” touch, a diving injury, and asthma/breathing problems while swimming or after exiting the pool.

SAFETY TRAINING FOR SWIM COACHES

As part of the National agreement, the Pikes Peak Chapter of the American Red Cross is the only chapter authorized to administer Safety Training for Swim Coaches (STSC) for USA Swimming.  Discussions are currently underway to have the Pikes Peak Chapter Administer and authorize STSC instructors as part of this national agreement.  This will give USA Swimming more control in the training of instructors for this course.  US Swim requested the names of two ARC instructors in our LSC who will assume responsibility for training and recertifying other instructors for this course on an on-going basis.  Vicki Balog and Jackie Bussard-Bertucci have agreed to serve as our STSC instructor-trainers.  The STSC curriculum is currently being updated and US Swim hopes to have the LSC Instructor-trainer program in place by the end of the year.

Cindy Smith
SE Safety Chairman