SAFETY guidelines for six categories of swimming pools in Bahrain have been published.
The recommendations by the Royal Life Saving Bahrain (RLSB) offer pool operators a general overview of the legal requirements as well as guidelines on how to design and operate pools in various locations ranging from hotels, water parks and schools to houses.
The document, which will be reviewed regularly, has been published as part of RLSB’s advocacy programme and efforts to promote swimming safety in the country.
According to the RLSB guidelines, six types (Types A to F) of swimming facilities have been identified in Bahrain – waterparks and hotels, public pools, private hire pools, school pools, residential pools and private home pools.
“We developed the guidelines for safe pool operations and the first phase has been published for the six types of pools which we have identified,” an RLSB representative told the GDN.
“It is important that the pool operators understand which category of pool they are operating, and the guidelines applicable to the facility.
“The guidelines provide a description of each type of swimming pool and if the pool operator is still unsure, we can provide further guidance.
“Compliance is now a mandatory requirement for licence renewals with Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority that covers Type A pools, which is the waterparks and hotels.
“There is a mandatory annual pool safety inspection to ensure compliance with the guidelines.”
Established last year, RLSB is a charity organisation which is a recognised member of Belgium-based International Life Saving Federation and is working alongside the Health Ministry in setting up a national strategy to tackle an increase in the number of drownings in Bahrain.
The GDN reported on Wednesday that the RLSB recorded 11 cases of drowning, including six of children aged below 10, in Bahrain since January this year.
The victims included five Bahraini children – three males and two females – and an Asian boy, while the five adult victims, all aged between 20 and 30, included a Bahraini and an African while the nationalities of the remaining three of Asian origin were unknown.
Three drownings each were reported in March and May while April, July, September and October saw one death each with the date of the 11th drowning not known.
The latest death occurred on Monday when two-year-old Bahraini Najma Salah Balooshi reportedly drowned in a swimming pool in a house in Riffa.
“Pool operators are encouraged to provide written comments on these guidelines so that they may be evaluated during the review process,” said the representative.
Information
“However, pool operators are required to ensure that they provide a safe swimming environment at all times. Access to the swimming area should be controlled, and swimmers should be provided with important safety information to assist them in swimming safely.”
The detailed guidelines are available at https://rlsbahrain.org/pool-safety-guidelines.html.
In August, the Civil Defence launched a nationwide awareness and inspection programme covering more than 300 licensed swimming pools across the kingdom.
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