Hi Barracuda Families,

We last week experienced our biggest meet ever... and the experience has influenced multiple conversations about increasing our safety measures for our swimmers, both home and away. We love you all, our fellow Barracudas, and we know if we work together, we can have a FUN, FABULOUS and SAFE remainder to our season. WE NEED YOUR HELP!

The following three areas of focus were used to develop three new safety policies. Significant thought has gone into these policies to consider the safety and well-being of every single swimmer on the Barracudas team. PLEASE go over these rules as a family so that everyone is on the same page and so that we can improve the safety and enjoyment of the meets for everyone.

3 AREAS OF FOCUS:

- Personal Safety: Prevention of critical and life-threatening pre-existing condition incidents

- Bullpen Safety: Prevention of accident/injury due to poor behavior in the bullpen areas

- Screen Safety: Prevention of inappropriate content access/exposure while at the pool

#1: Personal Safety Policy:

We have developed a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Disclaimer, as follows. This disclaimer applies to all families who have children attending the meets at Mountaire Park. We are sharing this with the visiting team, and they will be required to accept the policy before attending meets at Mountaire.

Mountaire Park is not responsible for the physical safety of any swimmers who experience any pre-existing medical conditions, which includes but is not limited to exercise-induced respiratory distress. As guests at Mountaire Park, each swimmer is responsible for bringing and administering any medication or devices which may be necessary if they experience any distress from a pre-existing diagnosis, including but not limited to Severe Allergy, Asthma, Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO), Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB) and Vocal Cord Dysfunction. If the swimmer is a minor, Mountaire Park requires that there be a parent or legal guardian present who will be responsible for bringing and administering the medication or devices. Lifeguards and Coaches are not trained or permitted to administer medications or use personal medical devices.

#2: Bullpen Safety Policy:

Each of the bullpen volunteers are responsible for gathering the kids of their assigned gender/age group and ensure they make it to their events on time. They are NOT RESPONSIBLE for managing the kids' behavior. Moving forward, if bullpen volunteers struggle with behavior of any swimmers after repeated warnings, the swimmer's parents will be contacted, AND in order for them to continue participating the swimmer will be required to have a parent or guardian accompany them in the bullpen for the remainder of the meet AND at the following swim meet.

#3: Screen Safety Policy:

Swim Team is an opportunity for all our kids to develop a love of the sport and the simple joy of playing outside in the summer. With increased concern from parents about the accessibility of inappropriate content on devices such as smartphones and iPads, they will no longer be allowed in bullpens at swim meets or in the possession of unattended swimmers at swim practice.

MEETS: Swimmers may leave phones or devices with their parents during the meets or may turn them in to bullpen volunteers upon arrival and check in. **If swimmers are found with smartphones or iPads in the bullpen, they may be confiscated by a bullpen volunteer or anyone from the coaching or leadership team. Parents may retrieve the devices from the bullpen volunteer at any point in time during or after the swim meet.

PRACTICE: Swimmers must be in the presence of a parent to be in possession and use a smartphone or other device during swim practice. If they have a smartphone for safety because they have been dropped off by a parent, they may not use the device for any purpose other than contacting a parent and may not share the device with other swimmers. For our swimmers ages 12&Under, a guardian must be present…this is in line with the Mountaire Park pool policy as established by the Mountaire Park Pool Board. Swimmers 13&Up are more than welcome to be dropped off.

Again, we are so grateful for you as our fellow Barracudas and we hope you will join us in looking out for the safety of your children as well as the safety of their fellow swimmers. Thank you for joining us in this effort.

Sincerely

The Barracuda Leaders and Coaches