Pool managers will study Pella drownings to prevent repeat

It's what they train for…but it's also a lifeguard's worst nightmare.  Imagine there's a large crowd at the public pool, someone slips under the water-and you don't see it right away.

That is the short version of what happened in Pella Wednesday night with a double drowning involving two teens from Missouri.  Gael Paulettee, 14 and Nehmson Sanon, 15 of Kansas City, Missouri were attending a Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp at Central College.  The group had gone swimming at the Pella Aquatic Center.  Information released Friday indicates both teens were non-swimmers.

All the details of what happened aren't out yet.  But public pool operators in Eastern Iowa are certainly watching to see if they need to review any policies or remind lifeguards of safety procedures in light of what happened.

At the Marion Municipal Pool, lifeguards don't just sit in the chair and relax.  Laura Barrett, a 5-year lifeguard veteran, said they're taught to keep their head on a swivel-constantly scanning for any sign of problems.  Lifeguards change positions every 20 minutes and get frequent breaks so they can stay fresh and focused and not get complacent.

“They teach you to count eight seconds in each section…one by one…constantly moving your head so you don't miss things,” Barrett said.

Lifeguards in Marion are also taught to make sure they can see every part of the pool all the way to the bottom.  The deaths in Pella occurred in the deepest section of the pool by the diving boards.  Marion lifeguards are taught to watch a drain under the water in the deep end.  If they lose sight of that marker because the water gets too cloudy, they're instructed to close that part of the pool to swimmers until it clears up.

Marion pool managers say they plan to discuss what they know about the Pella incident with lifeguards and staff at the next regular staff meeting.  They already know it happened after dark at a private swimming party.  Even though municipal pools have lights above and below the water, it's a time to take extra precautions.

Municipal Pool Manager Nolan Greiter said “I would definitely say make sure all the lights are on and that there's a lot of guards up at nighttime.  Night is a dangerous time to have kids swimming just because of the lack of light.”

The private party in Pella may have had as many as 175 people in the pool.  Marion managers say they've never had a private after-hours group anywhere near that size.  But letting your guard down at anytime, for any reason, is something you never want to do.