Module= CB23008S Student ID= 0712715 Word count = 600 1

Using Gibbs model to reflect on critical incident 2

Description of the event

Critical incident 2, What's that noise?

A day at work when an emergency alarm was sounded from the poolside and only myself and one other member of staff attended the situation. The member of staff Who had attended the incident with me was unaware of where the alarm was coming from before I had told her .

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My initial feelings were worry, what was the emergency? • I was feeling anxious yet somehow focused• I was also wondering why only a small amount of staff are trained in pool safety?•I did not have time to think about much else, I just had a real urgency to get there and help

My after thoughts;• I was proud that I had been able to help• I was glad that the student who was in the pool when the alarm was sounded was fine, thankfully he had only been sick in the water and nothing more serious had happened • I was left feeling alarmed about the small number of staff that had attended the incident.• I was questioning why the pool alarm is never sounded like a fire drill?• I now realise why many staff choose not to train in pool safety, they don't want or need the added pressure/responsibility.

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Analysis Although this particular incident could not of been avoided it managed to highlight many factors that need addressing.

To ensure pupil and staff safety I feel it essential that the pool alarm is sounded regularly. If staff are better informed then more might attend in these situations.

Staff members are also often changing due to absences therefore; I think they should be given a short briefing about the poolside's normal and emergency operating plans before a session, i.e.; Where the alarm switches are situatedWhere wheelchair ramps are situated for the emergency exit

We should not assume that staff already know.

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Conclusion

I don't think I could have done anything different in this incident.

If discovering the incident had required even more help, the second member of staff could have been sent.

I could maybe of suggested that more staff come in the future to help support this session.

Future incidents that cannot be avoided could be dealt with to a higher standard if staff are better informed.

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Action planIf this incident happened again I would act in the same way but I would be very disappointed that pool sessions were still not being supported adequately.

I would now like to see that the implications of such issues are taken more seriously and new systems are put in place to ensure that minor incidents do not lead to more serious ones in the future. I will speak to the appropriate staff and management members to see if I can encourage the implementation of a new system where the pool alarm is sounded regularly. I will also see if this can be added into the training for pool safety. I will question why a quick safety briefing is not regularly delivered before pool sessions.

Accidents happen but the more informed staff are the better they can perform.

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