Swimming Skills Assessment and Wristband System at the YMCA of Greater Hartford
The model, called TEST. MARK. PROTECT., incorporates a swimming skills assessment and wristband-marking system, and is used at all YMCA of Greater Hartford swimming pools. All children under 12 years must participate in a swimming skills assessment and will be provided a colored wristband based on their swimming ability. All children between the ages of 12 and 18 swimming unaccompanied by an adult may be asked to take a swim test. Once tested, each time a child comes into the Y for open swim, they will need to acquire their color appropriate wristband when checking in. All Red Band swimmers must have an ADULT 18+ years in the water actively engaged and within arm’s reach.
Why are we doing this?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 3 kids die each day from drowning, and children of color are up to three times as likely to drown as their white peers. Shockingly, a report from Safe Kids Worldwide found that 88% of kids who die from drowning do so under adult supervision, and 60% are only 10 feet away from safety.
At the Y, we strive to teach safety around water to all children through swimming lessons and safe practices. That is why we have implemented colored zones in our pools, and corresponding wristbands based on a child's ability to swim.
What is 'TEST. MARK. PROTECT'?
- TEST: All children under 12 years must participate in a swimming skills assessment. See a description of the assessments below.
- MARK: Once tested, swimmers will be provided a GREEN, YELLOW or RED wristband based on their swimming ability. The bands give our lifeguards instant information on each child’s swimming ability, helping us keep them safe in the most appropriate swimming areas. Once tested, each time a child comes into the Y for open swim, they will need to acquire their color appropriate wristband when checking in. Guests, program participants, birthday party guests, and any other non-members must be tested each time they visit one of our branches.
- PROTECT: All children under the age of 12 MUST be accompanied by an adult in the pool area at all times, regardless of wrist band color. All children 6 years and younger and non-swimmers (RED wrist bands) between the ages of 7 and 11 MUST be accompanied in the water by an actively engaged adult 18+ years within arm's reach. One adult can be responsible for no more than 3 non-swimmers during open swim; PFD required. The YMCA will make available and highly recommends the use of a US Coast Guard approved Life Jacket (PFD) in addition to requiring reach supervision (ONLY US Coast Guard approved Life Jackets permitted). Children ages 12+ who have passed the DEEP WATER SWIM TEST and have a Green Band may be in the pool area alone. The YMCA reserves the right to ask any member to take a swim test at any time based on in-water observations.
All guests and program participants will need to be swim tested each time they come to the Y for open swim, and will receive the correct color wristband at the Welcome Center or from the lifeguard who tests the child. Children in swimming lessons will not be expected to wear a wristband during lessons, but they must get one if they wish to stay in the water after lessons.
In addition to these layers of protection, we ask every parent/guardian to monitor your child at all times, even if your child is a good swimmer. We ask that you position yourself so you can easily see your child at all times, supervise their actions, and eliminate distractions, like cell phone use, while watching your child. This extra layer of protection will aid our lifeguards tremendously in keeping all youth safe in our pools.
If you have any questions in regards to aquatic safety or our aquatic programs please do not hesitate to contact your Y.
Thank you for your continued support in helping us keep our children safe while at our Ys.
