Section 820.300  Personnel

a)         Manager/Operator.  A swimming facility manager/operator shall be designated and shall be responsible for the operation of the swimming  facility in compliance with this Subpart.

b)         Lifeguards.  Lifeguards shall be provided at all wave pools and water slides. Lifeguards shall be provided at all pools, as defined in Section 820.10, when persons under the age of 16 are allowed in the pool enclosure specified in Section 820.200(a) without supervision by a parent, guardian or other responsible person at least 16 years of age.  At facilities where lifeguards are not provided, a sign shall be posted that states "This facility is not protected by lifeguards.  Persons under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or other responsible person at least 16 years of age.  Swimming alone is not recommended."

1)         Certification.  Lifeguards shall be currently certified by the American Red Cross, the National Pool and Water Park Lifeguard Training Program, the YMCA, or another lifeguard certifying organization with an equivalent lifeguard certification program, as determined by the Department. If the certification was issued with restrictions, the certification shall be appropriate for the duty to which the lifeguard is assigned.

2)         Authority.  Lifeguards shall have the authority to order any person who does not comply with the rules of the Department or those of the facility to leave the pool.

3)         Identification.  Lifeguards shall be dressed in swimming attire and be identified as a lifeguard.  A copy of each lifeguard's certificate shall be available for inspection at the facility.

4)         Minimum number.  At facilities where lifeguards are required, the following minimum number shall be on duty:

A)        One lifeguard per 100 bathers or 2,000 square feet of water surface area, whichever will result in the smaller number of lifeguards. All areas of the pool must be visible to a lifeguard.  At wave pools, in addition to satisfying the other criteria of this subsection (b)(4)(A), the number of lifeguards shall not be fewer than three. A lifeguard shall not simultaneously guard more than one pool unless the areas under surveillance can be continuously monitored with a clear unobstructed view and immediate assistance can be rendered if needed.

B)        At water slides or drop slides, one lifeguard within 50 feet of the discharge point of the slide.  Lifeguards shall be responsible for guarding the plunge area for the slide and for no other areas and shall be in voice or visual communication with the attendant or lifeguard at the top of the slide to facilitate safe use of the slide.  One lifeguard may monitor up to three slides and no other areas if they are adjacent to and discharge to the same plunge area.

5)         Lifeguards shall not be subject to duties that would distract their attention from proper observation of persons in the pool area, or that would prevent immediate assistance to persons in distress in the water.

c)         Attendants.   At least one attendant or lifeguard shall be on duty at the top of all water slides and drop slides when the slide is in operation to control the traffic of individuals using the slide.  Attendants shall ensure that the slide is used in a safe and responsible manner.  For multiple slides having a common starting platform, an attendant shall not be assigned to monitor more than two slides concurrently.

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 16539, effective October 4, 2013)