Valley Stream reminds residents to be water wise

With summer off to a hot and energetic start on Long Island, many in the community are concerned about staying safe in the water. Valley Stream officials say that there is safety in numbers when it comes to splishing and splashing in the pool.

“Our pools are always fully staffed with lifeguards,” said Village Clerk Vinny Ang. “If the pool is more crowded, there are always more lifeguards.”

The Valley Stream pool staff follows strict regulations that promote safety measures for all swimmers, including assigning a rigorous routine for its staff. According to Ang, there are always a lot of lifeguards on duty at the pool who are constantly rotating to different stations, and many lifeguards who are on reserve in case of emergency.

“The number of lifeguards at the pool depends on the amount of people at the pool,” Ang said. “There is a time limit for each lifeguard at their station before they rotate to another station.”

Specifically, there is a rotating staff of about 10 sitting guards, with a half-dozen others on-call. Valley Stream Recreation Department Director Tom Roberts said while there should be one supervisor at all times, he insists on having at least two — who are qualified and CPR trained — along with guard nurses to serve the public. Each lifeguard moves from a stand every 15 minutes during a shift lasting no more than an hour before taking a break.

“The rotation keeps the lifeguards energized,” Roberts said. “We have a lot more people working than are supposed to be, especially on hot days. If the pool gets packed, we want a lot of eyes on the water.”

In addition, the guards often rotate back into the pool office and are on call for any emergencies like “back boarding,” where injured person is rescued by a lifeguard with a backboard. David Ruvolo, a lifeguard at the pool for three years, said a large part of being safe is knowing how to swim, which would prevent injuries. “[Children and parents] should know if they can swim in deep water,” he said.

As a lifeguard, Ruvolo had to go through an extensive training and certification process, which began with a 30-hour course that the American Red Cross and many local pools offer.

Joe Tagliaferro, the Valley Stream Pool lifeguard captain, teaches this course, which starts with a pre-test to evaluate swimming ability. Individuals must be 16 years old, good swimmers and pool members to take the course.

“I had to practice my swimming,” Ruvolo said. “My certification started with the course.”

After completing the course, individuals must be certified by the Nassau County Department of Health before seeking employment at any bathing beach or swimming pool. Applicants must submit to a medical exam and meet all health requirements before taking a performance test to become a lifeguard at any level.

And with all the requirements that the lifeguards must follow, they are mindful about water safety at the village pool. Ashley Rainone, who has been a lifeguard for five summer seasons, said that parents need to watch their children. “Children should listen to the lifeguards,” Rainone said. “The children need to stay where they can stand and swim and respect pool boundaries.”

Suzanne Barzyz, who started as a lifeguard five years ago and teaches “Guppy” swim classes at the pool, urges parents to really step up. “I would say to all the parents to make sure that you supervise your children,” she said. “It has been a great experience being a lifeguard, and people should be safe.”

Besides the lifeguards, the village takes other precautions for patron safety including installing meters to control the water’s chemical levels and testing the water every hour for PH and chlorine levels. Roberts said that the test is a “natural and physical water check.” The pool is also inspected by Nassau County’s Board of Health regularly. According to Ang, the town has a “sparkling record” with no serious violations.

And if that is not enough, there is a night watchman who guards the pool after hours. “No one can freely jump in the pool,” Roberts said.

As for home pools, that is a different story. The state requires that all home pools, hot tubs or spas have child proof alarms, which are capable of detecting entry into the water, and barriers such as fences. In Valley Stream, the pool must be enclosed in an area with a five-foot PVC, wood or chain fence with gates that are self-latching.

Valley Stream Building Code Inspector David Davenport said the village recommends alarms that hook on the side of the pool, though there is a second type of alarm that is a floatation device. Regardless of which alarm a resident has, it must be audible poolside and at close location for safety.