Facility operators are not legally obligated to be the insurers of their patrons' safety, but neither are they entitled to be oblivious to it. Therefore, we encourage all aquatic facility and recreation facility operators and managers to develop or adopt Standard Operating Procedures on Thunder and Lightning Emergency Procedures in order to educate their employees and patrons about proper evacuation procedures and personal survival skills in the event of a thunder and lightning storm. In 1982, while employed as the Director of Safety Services for the American Red Cross in Houston, TX, I received numerous requests from Lifeguards, Water Safety Instructors, and Aquatic Facility Managers and Operators concerning the threat posed by lightning to patrons and staff participating in activities in and around the water. The following is the SOP which was developed as a result of my research into this subject. To describe the procedures to be followed when the threat of thunder or lightning is present.
Thunder occurs as a result of lightning.
If thunder can be heard, then the presence of lightning is actual, even though it may not be immediately observed. Because lightning is attracted to the tallest object in the area, patrons and facility staff should not be allowed to congregate under trees, umbrellas, or other tall objects. Everyone should leave the facility, go indoors, or stay in their automobiles until the storm passes. Furthermore, patrons and staff should not re-enter the facility unless there are evident signs of clearing and the sky is no longer dark and threatening. It is almost impossible to totally protect a facility's electricity network from the damaging impact of lightning strikes.