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HELIOS POOL

- Staff Well-being - Drowning Prevention

HELIOS POOL

Année de mise en oeuvre :
2013
Dépositaire :
THIRY
Bernard
Ville d'implantation :
CHARLEROI
Contexte :

Upon reopening in 2013, the availability of swimming pools in our region was so limited that we knew the staff, especially the lifeguards, would face a significant workload. Therefore, to alleviate this pressure, we sought solutions to reduce the risks involved, both for staff and swimmers.

Objectif :
- Staff Well-being - Drowning Prevention
Impact / résultats obtenus :

In 2013, we faced two situations requiring rescue and resuscitation interventions, followed by another in 2016 and one in 2019. All these interventions resulted in the full and complete recovery of the swimmers. Since 2019, although "minor interventions" are regularly needed, no serious case has required major intervention.

Dépenses / Investissements :
Helios Pool features a 50-meter by 21-meter main pool and a 16-meter by 12-meter wading pool. During school hours, the main pool is divided into 20 lanes across its width to accommodate a large number of students for swimming lessons. Two teams of 5 lifeguards (LGs) provide approximately 70 hours of weekly coverage (excluding hours dedicated to clubs and occasional activities). Daily attendance reaches approximately 1,000 people. To achieve the goal of zero drownings, we have focused on prevention, which begins as soon as visitors enter the building. Cashiers play a key role in detecting suspicious behavior (e.g., someone under the influence of alcohol). Locker room attendants form a second line of prevention before access to the pools. In terms of supervision, four active posts and one passive post (in the lifeguard room) allow for rotations every 20 minutes, including a quiet break in the lifeguard room. These measures were reinforced in 2021 with the installation of the Poseidon anti-drowning system and, in 2023, by providing each lifeguard with custom-fitted earplugs. The latter further reduce ambient noise from the pool overflow, thereby improving supervisors' concentration. Finally, each year, we organize a collective refresher session, supplemented by practical exercises performed in lifeguard teams.
Perspectives / développement :

The upcoming opening of two new pools, presenting specific constraints in terms of lighting, water depth, noise, etc., will require us to rethink our practices and find solutions adapted to these new environments.Our main objective remains: ZERO drownings!

Problématiques et enjeux :

With nearly 200 schools and over 65,000 students, many of whom couldn't swim due to the lack of pools, it was essential to implement measures ensuring everyone's safety.

We decided to create the Best Practices sheets* after observing a lack of and need for sharing among local authorities regarding swimming pools.

* A best practice is an action that has been concretely implemented in one facility and could serve as a source of inspiration for other facilities. Whether simple or revolutionary, what matters is that it is judicious and inspiring for another establishment.
2017
DIJON

LA FONTAINE D'OUCHE SWIMMING POOL

The discharged water is reused to clean the city, reducing waste and preserving drinking water by optimizing its usage cycle.

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2023
PONT l'ABBE

AQUASUD

Interactive learning to motivate the child, acknowledge their efforts, involve parents, and progress with new engaging content.

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2021
LIBOURNE

LA CALINESIE

The system saved 140,000 m³ and €900,000. The goal is total water autonomy, with optimized quality monitoring via COTmètre.

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1st
FOUGERES

AQUATIS

40% reduction in electricity consumption for lighting, a 1 GWh decrease, and an increase in nighttime and event attendance from 5% to 20%.

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2013
CHARLEROI

Helios Pool

Since 2013, every rescue has been a complete success. Since 2019, no major intervention has been necessary, a sign of effective vigilance.

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