NASCO, The National Aquatic Safety Company
NASCO was founded in 1974 by Dr. John Hunsucker with the mission to reduce the loss of life due to drowning. During its history, NASCO has helped hundreds of aquatic and recreational facilities to become safer and to reduce the number and kinds of accidents and injuries they experience. The programs of the company were developed over many years of research and contributions from individuals too numerous to name. It goes without saying that their contributions have made NASCO what it is today, a leader and innovator in safety for the aquatics and amusement park industry.
Headquarters
NASCO – The National Aquatics Safety Company
RR2 Box 570 1002 Ave L
Dickinson, TX 77539
Phone: 281.337.5628
Fax: 281.337.0043
http://www.nascoaquatics.com/
Professional Staff
Dr. John L. Hunsucker – President, CEO
Chet Jacobson, Executive Vice-President, COO
Char Hunsucker, Vice-President, Administration
Norm Matzl, Vice-President, Operations
Scott Davison, Vice-President, Development
Brian Cole, Manager, Operations
Lifeguard Training
Although it is not required by the Philadelphia Insurance Companies that lifeguards at their facilities be NASCO certified, those facilities will have the oportunity to train and certify their lifeguards with NASCO's nationally recognized program. The facility would then be part of a safety culture that is committed to the risk management program that supports NASCO’s mission and adheres to the NASCO Gold Standard, a list of items that NASCO feels is critical to adhering to industry standards.
Facilities who decide to certify their lifeguards with NASCO would also benefit from a reduction in the price charged for the safety inspections required by the Philadelphia Insurance Companies.
Our lifeguard certification program concentrates on the skills that a lifeguard can and will do. It emphasizes prevention, scanning, and victim recognition. Our facilities are setting new standards in lifeguard vigilance.
In addition, our lifeguard certification programs include CPR and First Aid training as well as a training update that is conducted midseason. The update is conducted by a different instructor than the initial training instructor and serves as a way to not only refresh the lifeguards, but also to ensure quality and uniform instruction. Our programs are also reviewed annually by our Tactical Advisory Board which is comprised of experienced and respected aquatic professionals that are "active" Instructor Trainers of NASCO.
NASCO understands that each and every aquatic facility is unique. Our lifeguard training programs are designed to meet the safety standards and management style of each facility.
NASCO Training Courses & Programs
Advanced First Aid & CPR
A-TEAM
Basic Lifeguard
Hard Ride Courses
Home Pool Safety Program
Lifeguard Instructor
Lifeguard Instructor Trainer
Resort Specialist
Top Gun for Hard Rides
Top Gun for Lifeguards
Water Sentry
Waterpark Attendant
Waterpark Deep Water Lifeguard Course
Waterpark Shallow Water Guard
| The Philadelphia Insurance Companies and NASCO
Philadelphia Insurance Companies has created a partnership with NASCO, the National Aquatic Safety Company, to provide third-party safety inspections for those aquatic facilities associated with the Philadelphia Insurance Companies. These inspections will be conducted utilizing four criteria that NASCO has used for decades when performing safety surveys and inspections at aquatic facilities. These elements are; safety, perception of safety, legal liability, and guest satisfaction. This includes, but is not limited to, inspecting the aquatic facility itself (swimming pool, children's wading area, hot tubs, sauna's, etc.) walking all of the water slides (if present), looking at guard positioning, rotations, in-service training and equipment, looking at the signage, checking for conformance with all known applicable codes and inspecting other aquatic attractions or activities if needed.
Specific Locations That Are Inspected At The Aquatic Facility
Swimming Pools. Here we physically check to see that the pool’s fixtures are secure and in proper working order. Some aspects that would be evaluated is the signage in and around the pool deck, it should be accurate and in the correct locations. The drain covers, ladders, rescue equipment, steps, and pool surfaces should be safely secured and in working order. Documentation of proper water treatment and chemical storage is examined for completeness and consistency.
Water Slides. If a facility has any water slides, NASCO will examine the slide including the structure, riding surface, and other aspects that impact the safe operation of the attraction. We will see that operational and maintenance manuals provided by the slide manufacturer are present and that operational guidelines stated by these manufacturers are being followed. This would include instructing the riders on proper riding procedures, through signage, verbiage, and by adequately staffing the attraction. If operational during the site visit, the slide will be ridden to insure that the attraction produces a non-eventful and expected riding experience.
General Facility Inspection. Here NASCO will evaluate the overall facility, this would include comments regarding condition of walkways and associated hazards if present, bathroom/change room issues, random check of fire extinguishers and their readiness. Random checks of GFCI receptacles, any obvious electrical code issues. NASCO will check for any Material Storage concerns (objects that are stacked too high, potentially hazardous chemicals stored in close proximity to one another), and that these chemicals are properly labeled and that current Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are present and on file. At facilities that are “out door” facilities, NASCO will evaluate any fencing and how the facility’s perimeter is secured to see that they are sufficient and meet either local health standards, or Standards of the Industry.
Staffing. Here we would examine documentation of In-service training, current lifeguard certifications through a recognized lifeguard certification agency. See that the Lifeguards are identifiable as a lifeguard or as aquatic safety personnel through their uniform. NASCO will examine the facilities operation manual to see that there are maps of the lifeguard’s zone coverage for each lifeguard position and for varying staffing levels. These zones of responsibility maps should be posted for easy review by aquatic personnel. NASCO will also review the facility’s Lifeguard Operations Manual for its lists of emergency action plans, guard duties, rotations, guard positions, and general operating procedures.
If you have any questions about the Philadephia Insurance Companies/NASCO partnership, please contact:
Jeffrey M Collins, ARM
VP of Loss Control Dept.
Philadelphia Insurance Companies
One Bala Plaza, Suite 100
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
P) 800-873-4552 ext. 7717
F) 610-227-2301
jcollins@phlyins.com
www.losscontrol.com
"Innovative Services Producing Optimum Results!"
The enclosed loss control information is for your consideration in your loss prevention efforts. It is not intended to be complete or definitive in identifying all hazards associated with your business, preventing workplace accidents, or complying with any safety related, or other, laws or regulations. You are encouraged to address the specific hazards of your business and to have your legal counsel review all of your plans and company policies.
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