1901 Risk Awareness in Therapy Settings
Beginner / Lecture
Fort Myers, FL /
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 12:30-2:50 pm 2.0 credit hours equal to 2.0 CECs/.2
CEUs
(Classroom: 12:30-2:50 pm with 20
minutes of break time)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Many aquatic therapy and rehabilitation practitioners have minimal training in recognizing and responding to emergencies in the dressing room, on the deck, or in the pool. Many work in facilities without lifeguards because of pool classification. Awareness and prevention of potential emergency situations with appropriate response decreases exposure to risk. The positive reputation of a reliable and trustworthy program increases participation and program revenue. Identification of potential risk areas such as the locker room and deck are crucial. Knowledge of and involvement with Emergency Action Plans and Recreational Water Illness Policies insure the safe operation of the aquatic facility and excellence in programming.
Recognizing emergencies
and precursors to emergency situations and being able to respond are included
in the Risk Awareness and Safety Training Certification course. This course
stresses signs of physiologic stress demanding immediate attention,
communicable disease transmission, and first aid for deck and locker room
accidents. Prevention and the necessity of having a plan of action in case of
an emergency are highlighted.
Practitioner safety includes awareness of safe
immersion time, self-rescue skills, emergency communication avenues, and
supervisory guidelines regarding client surveillance. Safety for the client includes pool entry and exit,
transfer protocols, equipment use, positioning in water, and communication
techniques. Bioethics as related to practitioner/client interaction includes
familiarization with resuscitation orders, refusal of care guidelines, and
client choice of treatment options.
COURSE
OBJECTIVES:
1. Provide current information on the transmission of
communicable diseases most prevalent in aquatic therapy settings.
2. Review precautions and treatment of exposure outbreaks.
3. Identify the highest liability risks and role of first aid
and basic water safety assists.
4. Examine emergency plans for various types of incidents and
types of therapy pools.
5. Evaluate the regular practice of scenarios.
FACULTY: Mary O. Wykle, PhD, ATRIC,
is a professor of physical education at Northern
Virginia Community College. She holds multiple certifications in
aquatics and fitness. Her company, MW Associates, offers consulting workshops
in health and aquatics. Mary is
a long-time faculty member and serves on varied committees for ATRI. She is a regular presenter for the Aquatic
Exercise Association/IAFC. Mary is Committee Chair for Aquatic Therapy
Practitioner of NCCARD (The National Commission for the Credentialing of
Aquatic Rehabilitation Disciplines). She is the author of Risk Awareness and Safety Training and developed Aqua Pi-Yo-Chi.