Aquatic Center Policies

• No one may enter the Aquatic Center without an aquatic staff member present.
  
  
• Each activity must have a responsible supervisor immediately on deck.
  
  
• Patrons must be prepared to present proper Ohio State identification. Guests must be daily pass holders or a member of rental group with scheduled pool time.
  
  
• Lap swimmers may be required to circle swim when lane use exceeds two patrons.
  
  
• The use of radios and digital audio is restricted to private listening (headphones).
  
  
• Food, beverages, gum and tobacco products are prohibited.
  
  
• An area may be closed or have restricted use due to competitive events, special events or rentals.
  
  
• Personal items are to be stored safely in the locker room. Do not ask lifeguards to keep your personal items or valuables.

• Admission to a pool or spa will be refused to anyone appearing to have a contagious or infectious condition, such as a cold, athlete’s foot, ring worm, boils and other skin infections.
  
  
• No band-aids or casts may be worn into the pools.
  
  
• Spitting, blowing the nose and urinating in the pools is prohibited.
  
  
• Do not swallow pool water and avoid getting water in your mouth.
  
  
• Do not swim when you have diarrhea. This is especially important for individuals in diapers. You can spread germs in the water and make others sick.
  
  
• Take a shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.
  
  
• Individuals not in control of bodily functions must wear a swim diaper covered by plastic pants or a swimsuit.

• Only clean, appropriate attire designed for swimming is permitted. Appropriate swimwear covers the buttocks, genitals, pubic region and breasts of those who have them. Street clothes, sports bras, underwear/compression shorts, thongs and see-through swimwear are prohibited.
  
  
• A well-fitting t-shirt and/or clean aqua socks may be worn into the pool.
  
  
• Caution should be taken by those wearing contact lenses and it is advised to remove them before swimming.
  
  
• Eyeglasses worn in the water should be worn with a safety strap.

• Long whistle blasts may signal an emergency. Exit the pool immediately and look to the lifeguard for further instruction.
  
  
• Do not converse with or distract lifeguards while they are actively engaged in duties.
  
  
• Patrons under the influence of alcohol or other drugs that alter awareness are restricted from the building.
  
  
• You may be asked by a lifeguard to show an ability to swim before using a pool or pool equipment.
  
  
• Glass is prohibited in the Aquatic Center.
  
  
• Headfirst entries are restricted to areas with a minimum water depth of seven feet. Diving is not permitted anywhere in the Recreation Natatorium.
  
  
• Do not swim under the bulkhead or walk on its surfaces.
  
  
• Do not hang on the safety ropes, lane lines or basketball rim.
  
  
• Horseplay is not tolerated. Running, pushing, dunking, water fighting, chicken fights, etc. are dangerous and are prohibited.
  
  
• Hyperventilation or the holding of one’s breath underwater for an extended period of time can be extremely dangerous and is therefore prohibited.
  
  
• U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices are permitted under the direct supervision of an adult age 18 years or older.
  
  
• Use of water toys is restricted to those provided by the university.
  
  
• All training and fitness equipment is to be used in the manner for which it was designed.
  
  
• Use of starting platforms is restricted to organized competitive practice or competition and in direct supervision of a coach. 

• Swimming in the diving well is prohibited when the diving boards or platforms are in use.
  
  
• Use of the diving platforms is restricted to competent divers in the supervision of certified competitive diving coaches.
  
  
• Use of the sparger system is restricted to organized diving practice periods supervised by approved coaches.
  
  
• Do not wear goggles, earplugs, or glasses while diving.
  
  
• When diving springboards are used for recreational use:
  • Use is restricted to competent unassisted swimmers at least six years of age.
  • All jumps and dives are to be in a forward direction from a standing position.
  • No back dives, handstands, cartwheels, or seat drops are permitted.
  • One person on the diving board or its ladder at a time.
  • Do not jump or dive until the diver before you reaches the ladder.
  • One bounce per dive or jump.
  • Dive or jump straight ahead.
  • Swim directly to the nearest ladder and exit the pool immediately.
    
    
• Moving a springboard fulcrum increases spring but decreases your control. The fulcrum is not to be moved from the #1 position (fully forward) during recreational diving.
  
  
• Diving or jumping deemed unsafe, in the judgement of the lifeguard, will be prohibited. 

• Observe posted spa capacities.
  
  
• Use of the spa is restricted to those ages 14 and older.
  
  
• Maximum safe water temperature for use of a spa is 104 degrees F (40 C).
  
  
• Pregnant women, elderly persons and those suffering from heart disease, diabetes or high or low blood pressure should not use the spas without prior medical consultation and the permission of their doctor.
  
  
• Swimming underwater in the spa is unsafe and is not permitted.
  
  
• Do not use spa while under the influence of alcohol, tranquilizers or drugs that can cause drowsiness or that lowers your blood pressure.
  
  
• Observe reasonable time limits (10-15 minutes), then leave the water and cool down.

PARENT SUPERVISION REQUIRED

• Ages 5 and under: must always have a parent or guardian with them in the water
  
  
• Ages 6 – 13: must have a parent or guardian poolside directly supervising their activities
  
  
• Ages 14 – 17: must have a parent or guardian with them in the building
  
  
• Swimming Ability: if child age 6 or older is a weaker swimmer, lifeguard may require parent or guardian to be in the water  

GENERAL SAFETY REMINDERS

• Walk on the pool deck.
  
  
• NO DIVING or belly flops. Always enter the water feet first.
  
  
• No climbing the vortex walls. Current is strong and weaker swimmers should take caution.
  
  
• The slide is to be used by one person at a time (though parents are permitted to hold infants).
  
  
• Users of the slide must descend feet-first in a seated position.
  
  
• No swinging from waterfall ropes.
  
  
• Ages 13 and under are not permitted in the hot tub.

HEALTH REMINDERS

• Wash your child’s body, especially the rear end, with soap and water before swimming. Germs on your body end up in the water.
  
  
• Use the toilet facilities before arriving at the pool and take frequent bathroom breaks.
  
  
• Children not toilet trained must wear a swim diaper covered by plastic pants or a swimsuit.
  
  
• Check diapers often. Changing diapers and clothes on the pool deck is not permitted.

TOYS AND FLOTATION DEVICES

• Toys are not safety flotation devices. They require direct supervision by an adult.
  
  
• Inflatable toys, including water wings and other flotation devices, are not permitted.
  
  
• Coast Guard approved lifejackets and puddle jumpers may be used. Sizes are based on weight limits marked inside the jacket. Ask staff if you need help with a proper fit.