Get an inside look at aquatic facility management through a conversation with Cortez Jordan of the City of West Hollywood Aquatic & Recreation Center. Learn how his team replaced paper documentation with connected digital workflows to improve accountability, streamline operations, and support a safer facility.

Near miss reporting helps aquatic facilities identify warning signs before serious incidents occur. From repeated guest conflicts to staffing strain and recurring slip hazards, tracking small operational patterns can improve safety, strengthen risk management, and help aquatic leaders move from reactive response to proactive prevention.

Aquatic supervisors manage far more than lifeguard rotations and guest concerns. Behind the scenes, they juggle certification tracking, inspections, incident reports, staffing shortages, compliance requirements, and emotional support for staff, often all at once. Explore the hidden administrative workload shaping aquatic safety, operations, and supervisor burnout behind the scenes.

Incident reports should do more than document emergencies after they happen. Learn what aquatic facilities should actually be tracking, from near misses and staffing patterns to environmental conditions and operational trends, to improve safety, strengthen risk management, and create more proactive aquatic operations.

Strong documentation does more than support compliance. It helps aquatic facilities identify risks, improve operational consistency, and strengthen liability protection before serious incidents occur. Explore 7 common pool documentation mistakes and practical ways aquatic leaders can improve incident reporting, risk management, and operational visibility across their facilities.

Looking for fresh ways to improve lifeguard morale, retention, and team culture in 2026? Explore 26 practical lifeguard enrichment ideas designed for aquatic facilities, waterparks, and swim programs. From recognition programs to leadership development, these ideas help aquatic teams stay engaged, connected, and operationally strong all season long.

This blog explores how group and day camp visits change the rhythm of aquatics operations and why safer outcomes depend on clear roles, strong documentation, and repeatable processes. It outlines practical ways to prepare staff, train camp directors, manage swim testing, and support consistent supervision so busy camp days feel more structured and secure.

Lifeguards make split-second decisions every day, often with incomplete information. This blog explores the mental models that guide lifeguard decision making, from interpreting swimmer behavior to managing risk and team performance. Learn how these frameworks improve safety, support better communication, and help aquatic teams prevent incidents before they happen.

Aquatic operations leaders often know there are safety gaps—they just don’t always know where they are or how big they might be, especially across multiple sites. Compliance Manager is designed to close that gap with a structured, repeatable way to assess your operations, prioritize fixes, and keep every facility aligned with the same standard of care. Why safety gaps are hard to see Even strong programs develop blind spots over time. Different supervisors have different exp

Health department inspections don’t have to be stressful. By organizing records, training staff, conducting internal audits, and using digital tools like HydroApps, aquatic facilities can stay inspection-ready all season while strengthening safety, compliance, and professionalism.

Lifeguard scanning is critical to aquatic safety, yet vigilance often breaks down due to fatigue, distractions, and low-activity environments. This article explores why scanning fails, what the MAHC expects, and how audits, coaching, and documentation help aquatic leaders reduce risk and strengthen supervision.

Training with first responders takes lifeguard in-services from routine to real. This guide shows how to plan realistic emergency drills with fire, police, and EMS, improve on-site communication, practice true response timelines, and build confidence across your entire facility team when every second counts.

Master HydroApps Insights Dashboard, custom forms, and module reports to analyze trends, track compliance, and craft data-driven stories from your facility data.

Lifeguard scheduling is more than filling shifts, it’s a safety strategy. Learn how coverage, rotations, and breaks work together to prevent fatigue, reduce risk, and keep guards accountable. See how HydroApps Schedule Manager helps automate lifeguard schedules, streamline sub requests, and centralize records for stronger aquatic facility management.

Learn best practices for aquatic facility compliance tracking. From inspections and chemical checks to staff certifications and rescue reports, discover how to keep your pool safe, compliant, and efficient with streamlined documentation.

Learn how small daily habits in aquatic operations lead to big improvements in safety, compliance, and team effectiveness. This post highlights routines, documentation, and actionable strategies from our "Small Tasks, Big Impact" webinar—empowering teams to turn everyday tasks into real safety wins.

Live recognition lifeguard drills are essential for training lifeguards to quickly identify and respond to aquatic emergencies. These scenario-based drills test observational skills, speed of response, and team coordination while familiarizing staff with the Emergency Action Plan. Proper documentation ensures compliance and continuous improvement. Use HydroApps templates to streamline drill tracking and boost lifeguard readiness and safety.

Small tasks can make a big splash in your pool’s safety. The truth is, daily habits shape the consistency and culture of every aquatic operation. From chemical checks to equipment inspections, these repeatable actions keep your facility compliant and your guests protected. In this post, we’ll explore how habit science and HydroApps tools can help your team turn small tasks into safer, smarter routines.

Make aquatic first aid training engaging and effective with interactive games like First Aid Jeopardy, Capture the Flag, and CPR Uno. These activities boost skills, teamwork, and confidence while preparing lifeguards, swim instructors, and aquatics staff to respond quickly in emergencies. Turn repetitive drills into fun, memorable training sessions your team will love.

Non-compliance in aquatic facilities isn’t just a legal risk, it can cost lives, money, and reputation. Proper compliance tracking of maintenance, safety checks, and staff training helps prevent accidents, fines, and operational inefficiencies, while boosting safety and efficiency for staff and guests alike.