What is a 10 20 scanning system?

Asked by: Michael Riley

The 10/20 Protection Rule, has given a standard for lifeguards to follow in a commercial pool setting. The rule states that “…a lifeguard who spots someone in trouble needs to respond in 10 seconds and reach the person in 20 seconds.”

What is a zone in lifeguarding?

Did you know – A ‘Zone’ is the area of the pool a Lifeguard is responsible for supervising. It may be affected by the size and shape of the pool, the type of session and the pool user load. There are two types of zone; Shared Zones – more than one lifeguard covers the same zone.

What could cause blind spots in a pool?

If the glare is very strong, the lifeguard may not be able to observe bather details such as facial features or expressions. The glare causes blind spots which must be managed by the lifeguard. Glare is simply reflected light. We see glare only if the light is reflected off the water into the lifeguard’s eyes.

What should you look listen and smell for when scanning a pool?

What should you look, listen and smell for when scanning? Excessive splashing or a swimmer struggling, cries for help, chemical spills/alcohol. Why is it a good idea to change scanning patterns? So that you can cover more areas/zones of the pool to ensure safety.

What is the 10 20 rule lifeguard?

Allowing a lifeguard 10 seconds to recognize an aquatic emergency and another 20 seconds to preform a rescue and begin care.

How often should your entire zone of protection be scanned?

Guards who proactively scan their zones and change their posture and position every five minutes send a professional message to pool patrons while also helping to increase their respiratory and cardiac rates, thereby keeping themselves more alert.

What is the duck pluck rescue?

It's used when an unconscious guest is below the surface of the water. But within an arm's reach of the lifeguard. Position yourself slightly in front of and above the guest.

How long should it take a lifeguard to scan their zone?

10 Seconds – Your scanning pattern should take you no more than 10 seconds to scan, and then repeat. Avoid fixation on more active areas. Remember, someone could need your help from any area of the pool, not just the busy areas.

How do you protect your pool from lightning?

One option is to purchase a surge protector device for your pool’s computer system. The surge protector is designed to take all of the brunt from the lightning strike and protect the system for damage. It basically acts in the same way as an insurance deductible.

Is lightning attracted to pools?

Since the pump, lights and other facilities have power lines linked to the plumbing, a hit to any part of a pool complex can affect all of it. Water does not “attract” lightning. It does, however, conduct current very well. It’s not clear how far lightning travels through water.

What happens when lightning strikes a pool?

A lightning strike can damage your pool’s pump, filter and heater. The strike overloads the electrical circuits and can ruin the equipment. You can install surge protectors to prevent lightning from damaging your pool, but that’s just another cost that makes pool ownership too expensive.

How big does a pool equipment room need to be?

The room should be sized so that there is at least 6 feet of clear space around all the equipment and not less than 3 feet between individual components for ease of maintenance. Extra space should be planned as well for replacement of larger items such as filters and heaters.

How far away can a pool pump be from the pool?

Stay close to the pool



Shorter pipe runs = less work for the pump which extends the life of the pump and uses less electricity. Our projects typically average a distance of 20–40 feet from the pool to the equipment, but as stated earlier, much longer runs are sometimes required.

Does pool equipment need to be on a pad?

Most in-ground pools have the system located above the level of the pool water, just a foot or so. And although it’s important to have the equipment pad elevated from the surrounding ground, for storm runoff, a system that it located too high above the pool water level may pump priming problems.

Can you put pool equipment in a shed?

Whether you build one from blue prints or get a DIY kit from the hardware store, using a shed to hide your ugly pool filter and pump is a great idea. Most likely you’ll be able to store other items in the shed, too, including yard tools, pool toys, pool floats and even some smaller pieces of pool furniture.

Should you cover pool heater in winter?

It is always good to consult with your pool filter installation company or a professional for instructions on removing the filter to make sure it is done right. Manufacturers do not advise their customers to cover their pool heaters.

Should you cover pool equipment in freezing weather?

We suggest you kill the power to the equipment so it does not immediately come back on when the power returns, and cover the pool equipment with tarps and blankets. This can help protect your equipment and plumbing from freezing.

Should I cover my pool pump in the winter?

Yes. The best way to remove ice and water from the swimming pool cover is to use a cover pump. Either before the water freezes or when the ice melts use the pump to remove the ice/water from the cover.

Should you run your pool pump during the day or at night?

It may be cheaper to run the pump at night, but honestly you should run it 1 hour a day per 10 degrees of temperature at least, and it should be during the day. Running the pump at night should only be when you are doing a major chemical treatment such as algae clean-up.

What temperature does a pool freeze?

around 32 degrees Fahrenheit

A chlorinated swimming pool freezes at around 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the same temperature as non-chlorinated water.

How many hours a day should you run your pool pump in the winter?

4-6 hours a

Depending on the size of your pool, we still recommend you run your pump run at least 4-6 hours a day during the fall and winter months. The daily cycle can be divided into multiple cycles, but each cycle should be no shorter than 4 hours, for all the water to pass through the filter at least once.

Should I turn off pool pump when raining?

If your pool pump manufacturer has declared your pump is rain safe, you can leave it on in rainfall. Nevertheless, during a thunderstorm, it is highly recommended that you switch off and unplug your pool pump to prevent any costly and irreversible damages to your pool equipment.

Can I leave my pool pump off for a week?

So if you have to leave it running for a week it shouldn’t make a big dent in the electric bill. Having to spend the money on getting the pool back in shape will probably cost more than leaving it on anyway. I would make sure you fill the pool water as high as you can though since you will be gone for a week.

Is it OK to run pool pump 24 hours a day?

A Rule of Thumb



Generally running your pool pump for 12-hours a day is a good option. This is based on the assumption that your average pool pump has a turnover rate of about 8 to 12-hours. That means that the total volume of your pool water will filter through your system 2 to 3 times per 24-hour period.

Do pool pumps use a lot of electricity?

Outside of the air conditioner, the pool pump is the largest electricity consumer in the average pool-containing home. According to the study, at the national average of 11.8 cents per KWh, a pool pump alone can add as much as $300 a year to an electric bill.

Do you run pool pump while swimming?

Chemicals that you add to your pool while the water is circulating don’t need to be recirculated; they will stay mixed even if you don’t pump the water continually. Although it’s generally recommended that all the pool water undergo filtration every 24 hours, the pump does not need to run all the time.