AQUATIC CENTER POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Massachusetts Pool Health Regulations
• Patrons are required to take a cleansing shower/bath before entering the pool.
 • Patrons will not be permitted to swim in bathing suits that are unclean.
• Any patron suffering from fever, cough, cold, inflammation of the eyes, nasal or ear discharges, or any communicable disease may not use the pool.
• Any patron with sores or other evidence of skin disease, or who is wearing a bandage or medical covering of any kind, may not use the pool.
• No patron shall spit in or in any other way contaminate the pool, or its floors, walkways, aisles or dressing rooms.
• No glass containers shall be permitted anywhere in the aquatic center.
• No patron shall bring or throw any object into the pool that may in any way carry contamination or endanger the safety of swimmers.

All Pool Areas
• Lifeguards have final authority on all matters concerning safety management and emergency situations in the DAPER facilities until relieved by proper authorities.
• Upon hearing the Emergency Alert System (two, long whistle blasts) all patrons must exit the pool immediately.
• The use of any aquatic facility is prohibited unless supervised by an MIT lifeguard or deck manager.
• Underwater swimming beyond 20 yards and or breath holding for more than 10 seconds (hyperventilation) is prohibited.
• No swimming under the bulkhead at any time.
•  Swim masks with glass lenses are prohibited. Shatter-proof, tempered plastic masks or competitive swim goggles are allowed.
• Only eyeglasses with plastic or safety glass lenses and a safety strap may be worn in the pool. This regulation also applies to water polo practice and games.
• Use of non-Coast Guard-approved flotation equipment by non-swimmers is prohibited. This includes life jackets, water wings, baby floats, inner tubes, and noodles. (See aquatics staff for questions and possible exception such as persons who possess proficient swimming ability engaged in exercise or training programs, and persons with disabling conditions, if appropriate.)
• Starting blocks are for the sole use of the swim teams and other approved groups with a coach or instructors on deck.
• Sinking aids such as rubber bricks, rings, and pucks are acceptable with proper use during open swim, as determined by the lifeguard or lifeguards on duty. Throwing hard objects is prohibited. (Rocks, coins or metal objects that disintegrate, corrode, or rust are not permitted).
• Water polo or other water games which use a ball shall not be permitted in any of the pools without prior authorization. Exceptions can be made for no more than two people practicing skills in areas large enough as to not conflict with recreational swimmers, upon approval from deck manager.
• Hanging on to lane lines is prohibited.
• Demonstration of swimming ability must be performed at the request of the lifeguard. Participant may be required to take a deep water swim test, which requires swimming 25 yards on the participant’s front using any stroke.
• Common practice is for multiple swimmers to share a lane during recreational swim. (e.g., 25 yard lanes: 3 plus swimmers, 50 meter lanes: 4 plus swimmers)
• Circle swimming, or swimming counter-clockwise around the black lines at the bottom of the pool, is required at all times. For more information please see the circle swim diagram on the pool deck.
• Individuals should check pool depth before entering pool.
• Adult supervision is required for children 17 and younger in same pool area at all times.
• Lane designations are assigned/defined by management according to participation and administrative constraints. In other words, the number of lanes designated to informal swimming and/or other groups will be designated by participation levels and usage agreements and can be changed without notification.

Shallow Teaching Pool Area
• No diving
• Feet first entry only

Diving Area Policies
• Participants must demonstrate ability to swim 25 yards on front without life jackets or flotation assistance.
• Patron may use outside one-meter springboards only.
• Only one person is allowed on the diving board at a time.
• Inward dives, reverse dives and back flips are allowed only with approved instructional supervision and a certificate of insurance provided by a swim coach.
• Only one bounce is allowed on the diving board during open diving.
• Fulcrum must be set to the forward position (#1).
• Individuals must attempt to go straight off the boards.
• Sit down, sailor dives (head first, arms at side), or swan dives are prohibited.
• Divers must exit the pool using the nearest ladder/stairs.
• Diving deemed unsafe, in the judgment of the lifeguard, is prohibited.
• Goggles may not be worn while diving.

Research Policies
If you would like to conduct research at the MIT Alumni Wang Pool or the Zesiger Center Pool please click here for more information on how to reserve pool space.