Waterparks provide a refreshing escape from summer's scorching heat, yet they conceal potential, unanticipated hazards, asserts Keven Moore.
Water parks, with their myriad attractions, offer a fun-filled experience for people of all ages. From swimming pools and water slides to wave pools and lazy rivers, these vibrant destinations provide an escape from the ordinary. However, with the combination of water, gravity, velocity, crowds, and sugar-fueled kids, they also pose certain risks.
Safety is everyone's responsibility at water parks. Both visitors and staff members play a crucial role in preventing injuries. To ensure a secure environment, water parks have implemented various measures.
Common types of injuries at water parks primarily include drowning and near-drowning incidents, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, injuries related to ride malfunctions, and respiratory or medical emergencies. To address these issues, water park management can take several steps to improve safety.
Increasing lifeguard presence and training is essential for competent supervision and ready emergency response. Properly trained lifeguards should continuously monitor guests, especially at high-risk attractions like wave pools. Enforcing the use of lifejackets for non-swimmers and children in deeper or wave-prone pools can reduce drowning risks.
Regular maintenance and safety inspections of rides, tracks, restraints, and pool equipment are necessary to prevent mechanical failures or unsafe conditions that can cause derailments or falls. Improving pool deck safety by reducing slip hazards and regularly inspecting and repairing diving boards can help prevent spinal injuries.
Educating guests on safety rules, such as swimming with a buddy, not entering the water when ill, and not diving in shallow areas, is also crucial. Enforcing these rules rigorously ensures a safe environment for all. Installing and maintaining emergency medical equipment and training staff to be prepared for medical emergencies is another crucial step.
Limiting access to water areas, particularly by small children, through barriers or controlled admission, can prevent unsupervised use. Modern water parks are also employing technology to enhance safety, such as AI-powered underwater cameras that alert lifeguards to signs of distress in real time.
Water parks have come a long way since their inception in the 1940s and 50s. The first indoor water park opened in 1994 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells. Today, water parks like Wet 'n' Wild in Orlando, which opened in the 1970s, continue to push boundaries with innovative attractions like zero-depth entry, splash pools for families, wave pools and rough rides for thrill seekers, and lazy rivers for relaxation.
Water parks should emphasize water safety education, teaching guests about the importance of following safety guidelines and staying hydrated to prevent heat-related illnesses. Proper swimwear, water shoes, and awareness of safety rules can help prevent injuries at water parks.
By implementing these measures, water parks can significantly reduce accidents and enhance guest safety, ensuring a fun and secure environment for all.
References:
- CDC. (2020). Waterparks and Health. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/water-recreation/waterparks-health.html
- CPSC. (2019). Water Park Safety. Retrieved from https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Pool-Safety/Water-Park-Safety
- NPR. (2018). The Hidden Dangers Of Water Parks. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2018/07/23/631774823/the-hidden-dangers-of-water-parks
- ABC News. (2017). Water Park Injury Leaves Boy Paralyzed. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/US/water-park-injury-leaves-boy-paralyzed/story?id=51508425
- CNN. (2016). Drowning Deaths at Water Parks. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2016/07/07/health/water-park-safety-drowning-deaths/index.html
- Northern Kentucky, with its growing number of water parks, requires increased attention to water safety and environment protection, considering the potential risks and the influx of visitors.
- Properly educating residents and tourists in the environment-friendly practices, such as reducing waste and conserving water, can greatly contribute to the protection and sustainability of the environment in northern Kentucky.
- Apart from safety in water areas, a focus on home-and-garden environmental practices is necessary in northern Kentucky to maintain the quality of life, health, and overall lifestyle for its residents.
- Besides ensuring a safe water park environment, ongoing maintenance of home-and-garden spaces, including proper drainage systems and use of eco-friendly garden supplies, could also reduce the impact on the surrounding northern Kentucky ecosystem.
