This last friday, July 11th, a swimmer was seriously injured at swim team practice. The injury was life threatening and completely preventable if basic safety protocols were being followed. To ensure that never happens to any other swimmer or family ever again the following should be put in place before the start of next season:

1. Establish Written Safety Protocols - Create and distribute comprehensive safety protocols, swimmer supervision guidelines, swimmer code of conducts and water safety procedures to all families at season start
2. Ensure Qualified Water Supervision - Require either a certified lifeguard on duty during all practices OR maintain two adult coaches on deck with one coach serving as the designated and certified lifeguard
3. Implement Coach Qualification and Training Standards - Adult coaches must have swim team experience, Safe Sport training, background checks, and CPR/First Aid certification before beginning work; junior coaches must complete Safe Sport and First Aid training before beginning work
4. Maintain Required Adult-to-Minor Ratios - Ensure adult staff to minor ratios meet the pool's liability insurance requirements during every practice, with designated staff responsible for supervising all swimmers on pool grounds during any practice time, including those arriving early, staying late, or refusing to enter the water
5. Institute Accountability Measures - Implement regular performance evaluations, transparent reporting and investigative processes for concerns and comprehensive safety orientation covering emergency procedures and behavioral expectations for all coaching staff.

These changes are essential to prevent the type of serious, preventable injury that occurred on July 11th and ensure no other swimmer or family experiences such trauma.