Program safety guidelines

Concussion Safety

In accordance with Idaho Code Section 33-1625, the Treasure Valley Family YMCA has provided the information below for coaches, parents, and athletes. The Y encourages all coaches, parents, and athletes to educate themselves about the recognition and treatment of concussions.

Concussions aren’t all the same and can be difficult to recognize. Signs and symptoms may take hours or several days to appear, so it’s important to be aware of the symptoms athletes may experience. Additional resources are available from the CDC here.

  • Headaches
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Blurred vision and/or slurred speech
  • Sluggishness, confusion, or fogginess
  • Inability to concentrate or noticeable memory loss
  • Dizziness or balance problems
  • Sensitivity to light and/or noise
  • Obvious behavioral changes

Talk to your coach immediately if you observe or experience any of these symptoms and seek care from a healthcare professional. There can also be short-term and/or long-term side effects. Follow up with your physician during and after recovery to discuss the risks and benefits of continued participation in sports and to obtain written medical clearance to return to play. The form is available here.

Aquatic Facility Guidelines

Please be RESPECTFUL of the YMCA facility and staff by following these health and safety rules: 

  • Everyone under the age of 18 must take a swim test to enter any of the pools. 
  • No flotation devices other than U.S. Coast Guard Approved life jackets may be used for non-fitness purposes. 
  • Any child wearing a U.S. Coast Guard Approved life jacket must be within arm’s reach of a parent or guardian that is in the water unless swimming in the kiddie pool. 
  • Kick boards, leg buoys, flotation belts, and snorkels are to be used only in a lap lane for fitness purposes. 
  • No eating, drinking, chewing gum or glass containers are allowed on the pool deck. 
  • Goggles, Diving Masks, or other devices covering the nose are not permitted at this time unless used in a program supervised by YMCA Staff.  
  • No one with an open wound(s), rash(es) or communicable disease(s) may enter the water. All bandages must be removed before entering the pools. 
  • No running, pushing, yelling or horseplay are allowed in the aquatic center. 
  • A child must be at least 6 months old to swim in any pool. 
  • Children under the age of 7 must have a parent or guardian in the aquatic center.  
  • Children age 7-11 must have an adult guardian in the facility or a guardian over the age of 16 in the aquatics center, regardless of the neckless color, and must follow the necklace rules.  
  • Children 12 and up can be in an aquatics facility alone but they must have a green necklace and follow all necklace rules 
  • Please shower prior to leaving the locker rooms and getting in the pool. There is a shower on each pool deck available if you forget but we prefer that you use the showers in the locker rooms. 
  • The use of the starting blocks is not permitted without the guidance of YMCA staff. 
  • Lightning Safety Protocol Indoor Pool Evacuation: 
    All indoor pools must be evacuated when lightning is detected within a 1-mile radius. Staff will: 

Remove participants from the pool deck. 
Secure the area to prevent re-entry. 
Guide everyone to designated safe spaces. 
Facility Reopening Criteria: 
No indoor or outdoor facility may reopen until 30 minutes have passed since the last lightning strike within the 1-mile radius.