• Lifeguard has final say regarding all rules and pool activities
• Persons refusing to obey the regulations are subject to removal
• Showers are required before entering the pool
  • Soap, scents, lotions, hairspray, sweat and the like affect our pools water chemistry and are difficult for our heater to filter.  In order to help us keep our pool and our members and guests safe, please rinse off  in our showers before entering our pools
• Children age 8 and under must be within arm’s length of a responsible adult 18 years or older while in the pool
• Children age 11 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult 18 years or older in the facility
• Non-swimmers are not allowed in the water above armpit line without a responsible adult 18 years or older within arm’s length.
• Coast Guard approved PFD (Personal Flotation Device)
  • All children using PFD’s must also pass the manufacturer’s suggested size requirement
  • PFD does not replace responsible adult supervision
  • YMCA is not responsible for providing PFD’s
• All children 14 and younger must comply with our Swim Test Policy
• Those with little or no bladder control must wear swim diapers
• Swimmers must pass a swim test to enter water that is above their armpit line
• Aquatic footwear ONLY in and around pool – no street shoes
• Do not block lifeguard stand or any lifeguarding equipment (ie: backboard and lifesaver)
• Deep end to be clearly marked during all non-class times
• All swimmers must wear an appropriate bathing suit to be in the pool.
• One adult can bring a maximum of two red bands and two yellow band levels; otherwise, an additional Adult will need to be in the water.
• The YMCA is not responsible for providing PFDs.
• Blow-up flotation and large toys are not allowed in our pools.

• Glass, food, gum, or drinks other than water
• Alcohol and tobacco products
• Dunking, splashing, or pushing
• Toy guns
• Diving into water under 9 feet
• Flips, cannonballs, or backward jumps
• Playing in or around lifeguard equipment
• Hanging on ropes
• Running on deck
• Band-Aids or open wounds
• Persons with communicable diseases
• Persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Barbells, float belts, or kickboards in the rec pool unless under the direct supervision of a YMCA Swim or Water Exercise Instructor
• Blow up flotation devices such as water wings. Coast Guard-approved PFDs ONLY
• Children out of arm’s reach of their caregiver at any time
• Breath-holding games or activities
• Any flotation device, toy, or exercise equipment larger than a kickboard

Water Exercise

• Must be 14 years or older to attend
• Anyone in the water during water exercise classes is expected to be participating
• Participants are expected to be respectful to the instructor and class participants by keeping disruptive behavior to a minimum

Swim Lessons

• Only registered participants are allowed in the pool
• Children may not enter the pool without instructor’s direction
• Children may not wait in the pool for their class to start
• Children must exit the pool at the end of their swim lesson

Other Rules

• Members can bring their own kickboards to use in the rec pool, but the same rules apply for all kickboards in our pool area
  • No sitting, standing, or slapping against the water
• Members and guests are allowed to use the noodles as long as they don’t slap them against each other or the water
• No going through and/or climbing the railings
• Starting blocks are for the swim team and swim lessons only
• Members and guests are not allowed to swim with hands or feet tied up. This includes the mermaid tails
• Members and guests are not allowed to swim with a weighted object that could potentially sink them
• Only YMCA instructors can hold formal swim lessons
• Members and guests cannot throw toys on top of the mushroom
• Members and guests are required to go under the lane lines in the lap pool

The primary role of our YMCA Lifeguards is the prevention of drowning. Our first defense against drowning is proactively restricting non-swimmers and inexperienced swimmers to shallow water and having constant adult supervision. The restrictions are monitored via color-coded wristbands.

Shallow water is defined as water that is no deeper than your armpit.

Our Swim Band Tests for kids ensure they can use our pools outside their swim lessons. Children receive color-coded wristbands for their ability to swim in different areas of our pool.

All persons 13 years of age and younger are evaluated and banded each visit. All persons 13 years of age and younger must wear appropriate color-coded wristbands at all times when they are in or around the pool area. Those not complying will be asked to leave the pool. 

SWIM TEST

The primary role of your Clark County Family YMCA Lifeguards is the prevention of drowning. Their first defense against drowning is to proactively restrict non-swimmers and inexperienced swimmers to shallow water (shallow water is defined as water that is no deeper than your armpit) and have constant adult supervision.

We have a Swim Test for kids to ensure they can use our pools outside of swim lessons. Children will receive color-coded wristbands for their ability to swim in different areas of our pool.

All persons 13 years of age and younger evaluated and banded each visit. All persons 13 years of age and younger must wear appropriate color coded wrist bands at all times they are in or around the pool area. Those not complying will be asked to leave the pool.

Blue Band—Lap Pool

1. 50 yd front crawl stroke with rhythmic breathing.
2. Float on their back for 30 seconds
3. Tread water for 30 seconds

Privileges: Access to lap pool and entire Rec Pool

Green Band—Deep Water            

1. Swim the width of the recreational pool 2 lengths unassisted without rest using crawl-stroke, with arms coming out of the water and face in the water.
2. Turn on their back, float 30 seconds.
3. Tread water for 30 seconds.

Privileges: Access to entire Rec Pool

Yellow Band—Shallow Water

1. Child must be at least 46” at armpit level to receive a yellow band without a swim test.

2. Swim the width of the recreational pool one length unassisted without rest using crawl-stroke, with arms coming out of the water and face in the water.

Privileges: Must stay in the shallow end of rec pool.

Red Band—Non-Swimmers

Swimmers that do not pass the yellow band—shallow water test—or who refuse to take the test are considered non-swimmers. Non-swimmers, regardless of age, must stay in water that is armpit deep or less and require active adult supervision.