3 ways to optimize pool communication between guests and employees

3 ways to optimize pool communication between guests and employees

Communication can be a difficult aspect of pool management, especially if it involves a large facility. This task becomes even harder during peak season, when a lot of guests and staff members are busy working.

Communication is difficult to master in any industry, but this is especially true in pool operations. Managers are usually tending to tasks in the office while the lifeguard ensures swimmer safety. While managers can leave their offices, the lifeguard cannot leave his or her post. If swimmers have questions that the lifeguard can’t answer, they may grow frustrated.

Informing guests
There are many ways to ensure that everybody is on the same page. Figuring out the method that best suits your pool requires trial and error. Hold a facility-wide meeting to discuss the different ways to guarantee that everyone knows the daily schedule. Here are three ideas to get you started.

1. Invest in two-way radios: You’ll never have to worry about not being able to communicate with managers or lifeguards again if you have a radio system. This not only ensures that everybody has the same information, but it also allows the lifeguard to speak to the managers if the need arises. When looking for these, consider the distance that the radios need to cover.

2. Check in before each shift: Each staff member can check in with the manager prior to his or her shift. Going over the day’s plans and programs doesn’t take very long, especially if managers already have them printed out. Managers don’t have to leave their office and the lifeguard will know exactly what’s scheduled for the day.

3. Post it at the pool: The easiest way to ensure that guests know what’s happening is to post signs at the pool. These should be attention-grabbing enough that swimmers won’t miss the information, but they should also be out of the way for safety purposes. Mounted whiteboards are a quick way to do this.

Ensuring that every employee in the facility knows the daily schedule also helps in the event that if one person who doesn’t have the answer that guests are looking for, another staff member nearby will. Trying out different methods will ensure that the best method is chosen for that facility.