Water Safety Events

Raw alert: Page not done yet. Must remove older content that does not apply any more. A work in progress.

Plan and process includes 11 possible steps:

[bg_collapse view="button-orange" color="#4a4949" expand_text="Show More" collapse_text="Show Less" ]

1. Sign up
2. Smart up
3. Surf up
4. Safe up
5. Sanction up
6. Shop, Save and Suit up
7. Show up
8. Skill up
9. SKWIM up
10. Speed up
11. Super up
12. Stay up
[/bg_collapse]

Background. Their loss. Our gain!

[bg_collapse view="button-orange" color="#4a4949" expand_text="Show More" collapse_text="Show Less" ] In March 2018, I pitched a plan to a potential partner the water safety venture detailed below. A mini-grant had been obtained through that other organization. I had high hopes to act as a service provider for the organization and obtain a bulk of the grant's funding for this endeavor. I was excited to begin the first step in a long relationship in May 2018. At a meeting on April 12, 2018, I came to discover that the $3,000 funding from the grant would be spent on life jackets, swim goggles. They were going to be given to match a requests from state park rangers and some lock-and-dam awareness campaign. None of the available funds would support the proposed efforts I suggested. I love park rangers too! I'm going to speak to the Washington Recreation and Parks Association's annual meeting on May 1, 2018. And I had hopes that future presentations would be built around the successes from the 2018 advances. [/bg_collapse]

Slide deck

Download link:
• Simple 8 slides used in meeting in March 2018
[pdf-embedder url="/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Presentation-2.pdf" title="CHP slide deck in PDF"]

Summer 2018's Launch of

(Title Sponsor) joins with Coach Mark Rauterkus to promote water safety and swimming!

Subject: Draft 1 planning documents for water safety and swimming in 2018 From: Mark Rauterkus, Mark@Rauterkus.com, 412-298-3432 To: Zach Musico, Community Program Specialist, John.musico@chp.edu Date: March 26, 2018 Slide Deck: /archives/451

New developments and synergy with a prior foundation project:

Splash update that came about since our meeting on Friday. The Children's Hospital Foundation played a role in a recent project to supply new, water-proof capabilities to patients with hearing implants. “AquaGuards” allow the youngsters to go swimming, as well as shower and other acts around water. Catherine Palmer, Ph.D., Director of Audiology at UPMC, including Childrens Hospital, (my wife) said that her department can conduct outreach to the families of those children who were able to obtain the AquaGuards. That letter campaign can raise awareness of our new water safety and swimming programs. The few hundred children in the region that got the AquaGuards would be prime candidates for joining this program and may welcome the update and swim and safety services. It would be great to connect the past efforts through the foundation with this new venture and the greater community. Since an over-arching aim is to mainstream the kids, a specialized swim clinic is not going to be conducted. The opportunities are to be shared with a special outreach letter to the families and they'll be made aware of the open invitation. Overall Summary: Zach Musico, Community Program Specialist with the injury prevention team at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, collaborated with local swimming coach, Mark Rauterkus, and obtained a mini-grant for $4,000 a water safety/drowning prevention program for the summer of 2018. The team at Children's runs many different programs in the community and at the hospital, but water safety is not one of them. With Coach Mark's help, network and resources, this endeavor can be the start of a wonderful local program with an upside to scale into an impactful long-term relationship. Greater Goals include: 1. Build a relationship between CHP and Coach Mark for the sake of aquatic outreach efforts. 2. Decrease drownings and non-fatal drowning hospital admissions by increasing swimming capabilities in children through structured swimming lessons, and education on water/pool safety. 3a. Offer swimming instruction and education to all willing family members. 3b. Gear a part of this program towards parents/guardians. Project Goals for 2018: 1. Offer a process for youngsters and families to engage in a new activities to improve swimming and water safety with special events in the summer and on-going, sustainable programs into the future. 1a. Offer a process that includes these dozen steps:
1. Sign up
2. Show up
3. Smart up
4. Surf up
5. Safe up
6. Suit up
7. Skill up
8. SKWIM up
9. Saturday up
10. Speed up
11. Super up
12. Sanction up
13. Stay up
2. Reach 300 youngsters. Some details yet to be determined. Some progress and awareness in each of the 10 steps is expected. 3. Additional community interactions less robust outcomes are expected with countless others throughout the months to come. The intent of greater public health awareness and the sharing of our process and digital assets could lead to other program expansions in future seasons. 4. Document results for ongoing program evaluation purposes. Mark's materials Money from the mini-grant will not be used to purchase any general / facility equipment. On hand in Pittsburgh already: SKWIM disks, Life Rescue Tubes, SKWIM goals, SKWIM boundaries for certain pools, online / web assets. Rather that money will be used for reward gifts for youth participants – new swim suits. Truth be told, the kids need swim suits, especially if they are to advance into swimming activities in the months to come. Lycra swim suits used by age group swimmers, for boys and girls, are not cheap. And, they perform better than boxer shorts. Being able to provide a modern, competitive styled, swim suit is a huge benefit and serves as a 'reward' for participation. Furthermore, the expectation / hope is for something “free” for many kids / citizens. Families and kids can attend multiple events throughout the spring and summer. They are going to be encouraged to do so. Those with the swim suits are going to be easier to spot as to being repeat visitor and not rookies. But, each participant is to only get ONE swim suit this summer. Swim suits are being provided on a first-come-first-served basis, while supplies last. Lots of suits are on-hand in Pittsburgh. But, there is no endless supply. The process includes a step, “Suit up.” That step can happen so that a student can get his or her swim suit either BEFOR or AFTER the first swim practice. The specifics are still not yet in stone. But, if a student signs up and does the other learning steps online, the “Smart up” and “Safe up” – then the student becomes eligible for the gratis swim suit after he or she “Shows up.” Of course, the “Show up” also includes the swim lesson part called “Skill up” and the game-play part called, “SKWIM up.” Gratis swim suits will not be shipped to those who did not “Show up,” “Skill up,” and “SKWIM up.” But, after a participant does those steps, a swim suit can be mailed to their home or picked up at a predetermined site. Then the participant would be doing the swimming in his or hers regular swim suit. Participants who do not want the gratis swim suit can pass on it and leave it for another in the program to enjoy. Exchanges are not expected. More details can be spelled out in the FAQ. Potential ideas for help from Children's Hospital administrators: 1. Marketing Posters at pools Banners for events Website mentions Billboard possibility Direct mail add on Social media push out 2. Back-channel letters of support for introduction Citiparks Aquatics, Mayor, City Council County Parks and County Executive and County Council PPS Superintendent, PPS Board and school principals Open letter to other potential contributors, minor-sponsors and awareness-sponsor 3. CHP Healthy Schools interactions Host a planning meeting (soon) to further brainstorm the logistics and implementation. Outreach to Heathly Schools network to seek booster help. Outreach via Health Schools to obtain awareness for families and students. 4. Assessment Models Brain power to make the pre-test questions, post-experience questions and data collection plan. Perhaps a Qualtix survey, optional, can be made for the wrap up. 5. Making a few social media videos CHP has the statistics for local trauma cases. We need to tell the story and present the problem, boldly and clearly. Coach Mark can run the video camera (my phone). 6. CHP community program specialist can come to a number of the events at the local pools and lead an interaction with adults / guardians / and others interested about safety. These events can be marked on the calendar as sessions with the “super up” option, SUPERvision, supervisor, Super Mom, Super Dad. The meetings can occur around the picnic tables, under a shelter, casual style with lawn chairs even. Some of the meetings could be put into a video so that the content can be replayed to others elsewhere for the years to come. CHP staff can design the messages, and perhaps, also train others to deliver the content. 7. CHP needs to sign a contract / agreement with Mark Rauterkus. CHP needs to pay $3,000 to Mark Rauterkus for services and supplies. Ideas and wish list for other potentials sponsors, as time permits and opt-in volunteers emerge. Optional. Gifts could include: Water bottles Funds to provide suits beyond the 300 targeted with the initial mini-grant. Possible equipment (loans or donations) for the pools we visit. SKWIM disks SKWIM goals SKWIM fins SKWIM borders SKWIM headbands Lifeguard LifeTubes Participant goodies could possibly include: t-shirts, swag bags, rash guards, swim caps, googles, towels, stickers, fins, discounts on gear, Munch considerations: water, drinks, picnic foods, healthy snacks, Tech utilities: tablets, lap-top, mobile hot spot, internet connection(s), Transit van services for game days, drivers, gas money, truck service for lugging equipment, PAT bus passes for HS kids to travel, Delivery and mail fees packages and shipping of reward swim suit(s), copies of handouts, postal mailing of welome letters, postal mailing of wrap-up letters, postal mailing of thank-you notes postal mailing of facility posters printing of posters for facilities Would be nice to give a token to all the lifeguards who are working at the pool when our events occur. That could be a sponsored gift. For exmple, a military recruiter might have a clipboard for each. Possible targets for obtaining additional funds or extra support:
• SproutFund,
• Heinz Foundation,
• United Way and its Fit United program,
• Remake Learning Network,
• Allegheny Intermediate Unit,
• Charter Schools / Cyber Schools,
• Neighborhood nonprofits,
• Media outlets for PR – Radio, Newspaper, TV?
• USA Swimming, USA Swimming Foundation, Michael Phelps Foundation,
• Sarah Heinz House (for August and September events)
• Other schools, such as South Park HS, The Ellis School, Univ. of Pittsburgh, etc.

Survey Thoughts

Deep water test, obvious. Measure.

Throughout the years, one of the standard milestones of our Swim & Water Polo Camp is to pass the “deep water test.” Kids take a test with the pool's lifeguard. To swim in the deep end, kids must prove that they can pass that pool's test of swimming ability. This is also a digital badge option. Possible question: Has your child ever passed a deep water test under the supervision of a lifeguard at a swim pool facility?

If no to passing a deep water test, a less demanding question:

Possible question: If your child fell into the water, would the child be able to rescue himself / herself on their own?

It would also be great to look at frequency of swimming.

Possible question: In the summer, per week, how many times does your child go to the community swim pool? (Different from backyard pool?)

Wrap up questions could include:

Did you child enjoy playing SKWIM? Post test, What parts of the program did you enjoy? Then list a scale, 1-to-8, greatly enjoyed, did not apply, greatly disliked, etc. And then list all the activities within the program. - Text box at end of the survey for free text entry. Stories may come out. Qualtrix, could be done with UPMC contact.

Logistics for event consideration:

A Google calendar will promote the time, dates, locations and specifics of the events. Example in use at CLOH.org. All are encouraged to RSVP with a web form such as EventBright. There are a limit to the number of people that each facility can accommodate. Generally 20 to 30 people per event. Some larger facilities in off hours with ample volunteers could handle larger events. An attendance program such as TeamUnify.com, with its OnDeck app, can help at the event to sign-in all the participants at every site. The OnDeck app operates on a hand-held device / mobile phone. Those not in the database / system because they have yet to sign-up in advance of the session, can sign-up, as space permits, at the registration period at the outset of the event by using paper and a clipboard, but better yet, to sign up with another hand-held device. Targeted events by age groups:
• • Most events should be for kids 8 to 18 years old.
  • Events designated with a Super Up meeting include a meeting for guardians. Not every event needs to include the Super up option, due to staffing constraints.
  • We could do one event per month targeted for adults, college and high school aged participants.
  • We could do one event per month targeted for those in high school.
  • We could make one event per month for the wee ones. Let's target different dates and perhaps better pools with more shallow water for boys and girls ages 5 to 8-years old. The outdoor pool on Cedar Ave on the Norhside is great for young kids.
[caption align="aligncenter" width="300"] Younger kids playing water polo at the Sue Murray Swim Pool, a Citiparks facility on the Northside with lots of shallow water for game play.[/caption]

Equipment

Events can occur with only a couple of SKWIM disks. But, we'll try to have a collection of fins in various sizes.

FAQ&A

On our web site, a FAQ (really like to call it a FAQ&A) document will present Frequently Asked Questions and Answers to those looking into participate in the program. Issues yet to consider Branding. What should be and what should NOT be done with CHP. Insurance. What specifics need to be understood. Where and when do we need extra liability insurance to provide coverage? We have it, but we need to deploy it. Youth Learn & Earn helpers The city's job program called, Learn & Earn, can provide helpers at the sites for administration support, in-water help and assistant coaching. More volunteers Club access to a host of other volunteers can be coordinated: PULSE, Pittsburgh Sports League, Pittsburgh Traithlon Club, local swim clubs, Allegheny Mountain Swimming Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Masters swim teams, Masters water polo club team – Pittsburgh Renegades, Tiger Water Polo and so on can be called into lend assistance. A program guide booklet / web pages for volunteers can be crafted. Volunteers with any type of leadership role need to be with credentials and clearances. Coach Mark Rauterkus does: - Gets paid $3,000 for swim suits, quantity 300. equipment loan for events coaches events organizes online assets provides digital badges provides calendar manages partnerships with volunteers, facilities, agencies supervises Learn & Earn helpers is present at all the events Draft Schedule: Summary: Expect more than 60 events in 2018 from May 1 to September 30. Saturday Swim School could be held with PPS at Oliver High School. Pending summer dates but would occur in May and early June as the program launches. Mornings: Monday to Thursday with The Pittsburgh Project, Northside. Swimming expected to be closed to outsiders and only open to 100+ kids in that day camp. Swimming to happen at TPP outdoor pool on Charles Street or else at PPS Allegheny School. Friday mornings: Could have an open public event at PPS Allegheny School pool on Northside, next to the Aviary. (No TPP as they go to field trips on Fridays.) Great day to get entire camps to have a swim experience with our program. Afternoons, M-F, 27 days, with Summer Dreamers Swim & Water Polo at The Hill District's U-Prep. Closed to outside participants. Have about 30 PPS students. On dates before and after PPS Summer Dreamers, especially in August, other afternoon events can be held at other pools. Every Tuesdays and Thursday evenings, 6 to 7:30 pm, Citiparks Ammon Rec Center Pool, Bedford Ave and Memory Lane. Weather permitting. Every Monday evening, 6 pm to dusk, Moraine State Park, North Beach, open water swimming. Done in conjunction with Get Fit Families and the Youth Triathlon Team. A few weekends, at the South Beach of Moraine State Park, on the sandy beach, a session will be held in conjunction with the race weekends. Other available summer times, yet to be scheduled, Wednesday & Friday evenings. Saturdays and Sunday afternoons. End of season celebration for Labor Day weekend possible. We would need to get the support of Mayor. A college water polo game can happen as well. Local kids can be part of a SKWIM festival / tournament. Programs for fall, August to October, can be organized at Sarah Heinz House.

---

Ten Step Plan to Upgrade Water Safety and Swimming with CHP and Coach Marketing Sign up, step #1 Web form. Sign up. https://Play.CLOH.org/rsvp. Model release. Any health concerns? Guardian contacts. Email, etc. Sign up can also include some pre-evaluation questions, yet to be determined. After the sign-up, a welcome letter is delivered to the participants. Contact lists are created. Enrollment into the online courses happens. #2, Show up Explore the dates on the calendar. RSVP in advance to make sure that there is room in the session as spaces are limited. Get to the facility on your own. Pay the cost of admission if one is due. Bring your own swim suit, towel, etc. #3, Smart up Take the course, “Get Your Feet Wet.” https://Play.CLOH.org/ has a link in the front page menu. https://play.cloh.org/courses/get-your-feet-wet-swimming/ Some progress in this course is needed to be entitled to a reward, gratis, swim suit, while supplies last. Finish the course and get the digital badge for “Get Your Feet Wet.” Adults and kids can do the course together or on their own. #4. Surf up Get the SKWIM app, available for free for both Android and iPhone. Check it out and become more aware of the rules and background insights of SKWIM.
• Apple's Store for iOS devices: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skwim/id1391159492?mt=8
• Google Play Store for Android devices: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skwim/id1391159492?mt=8
#5, Safe up Take the series of quizzes from the online course presently called, “Bay Watch Brains.” https://Play.CLOH.org/ has a link in the front page menu. https://play.cloh.org/courses/remake-learning-bay-watch-brains/ Some progress in this course is needed to be entitled to a reward, gratis, swim suit, while supplies last. Finish the course and score better than 80% get the digital badge for “Bay Watch Brains.” Adults and kids can do the course together or on their own. Includes 1 pre-test of 2 questions, and four tests of 25 questions each. #6, Suit up Get your gratis swim suit, while supplies last. To get the swim suit, must have completed three steps -- Sign up, Smart up and Safe up – and be about to do on that same session or have already completed the two additional steps, – Skill up and SKWIM up. #7, Skill up Skill up is a swim lesson from Coach Mark. Quick. Fun. Fitness. Geared to various ages and abilities. #8, SKWIM up Learn how to play the aquatic game of SKWIM, and then play the game. Sportsmanship, teamwork, and playing well with others is valued. Non-contact, pass, defend, score goals, inter-generational play encouraged. Wear fins and a head-band too. #9 Super up Supervision is the emphasis of this stage, for adults, citizens, guardians, and parents. Supervise up, Super Mom, Super Dad, and be super observant around the water. Hear from folks at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh on safety and some of the dangers of water. #10 Saturday Up - optional Optional, the step called "Saturday up," stresses the availability of the Saturday Swim School, a program in Pittsburgh entering its third winter. Participants can attend swim sessions and play SKWIM throughout the fall, winter and spring. Understand how to find out when and where these events are taking place by visiting the site, Swim.CLOH.org/saturdays/. The Google calendar at CLOH.org is another easy source for finding out event details. #11, Speed up - optional Optional: The "Speed up" step seeks to stress speed and calibrate the differences in swimming speed one obtains when using fins, paddles and a combination of both fins and paddles. Race a one-length time trial without using any extra equipment. Then race again and get a time over the same distance but the SKWIM fins or else the Finis' Agility Paddles. Furthermore, optionally, add both the SKWIM Fins and the Agility Paddles as another trial. Record and compare the results. Notice how your performance measures up to the norms and other data that is being collected among the local participants. This step takes an additional 15 to 30 minutes to perform and can be done at another time or on another day other than the water safety event. #12, Sanction up This step is about getting the certificate and credit for the digital badges that are bestowed to the individuals who have earned them by their deeds, knowledge and new disposition with the program. Finish the quizzes with passing grades. Finish the course. Take a Deep Water Test and also figure out what level suits you for the SKWIM digital badges too. Can you swim non-stop for 5 minutes, or is it 10 or more? Did you earn a digital badge for Sportsmanship or Teamwork, yet, from the coaches in the SKWIM game? The Sanction up step puts a level of “gamification” into the process for extra value, accountability and motivation. The higher levels of SKWIM play can earn kids higher levels of the badge and lead to being a lifeguard and playing water polo. #11, Stay up Last step, Stay up, includes the wrap up questionnaire, program evaluation, and on-going invites and resources for continued SKWIM and swimming for the days, weeks, months, seasons and years to come. Join a swim team. Be a part of the fall Rookie Camp. Come swim throughout the winter on Saturdays as part of the Saturday Swim School.