Volunteer Info

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

We are very happy to have you to be a part of our program.  Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the following information.  Thank you!

I.  CLIENT INTAKE

• All clients and volunteers will sign “Agreement and Release of Liability” form.
• All clients and volunteers will fill out the “Registration” form.  This helps keep accurate records of your phone, address and other information.

• Please make sure you have completed the proper forms and help to verify that clients have finished their registration and liability release before they participate in any activity.

II.  JOB ASSIGNMENTS

• Please be on time!  This program cannot operate without your help but we need to be able to count on you.  Once the clinic starts there is no time to make special accommodations to find late arrivals a job.

• Job assignments will be announced during the volunteer orientation.  A schedule will be posted in a prominent place with names of participates and volunteers for each activity.
• Please do not leave your assigned position without informing your team leader.
• Do not trade positions.
• If you do not feel qualified for the job you have been assigned inform your team leader or the Troubleshooter.
• The clinic is not completed until the boats have been pulled from the water and wiped down.  Please do not leave just because the last skier has finished.

III.  JOB DUTIES

A.      Troubleshooter

• Directs flow of activities for participants
• Handle any and all authority for all activities
• Is the ultimate authority for all activities
• Make sure participants and volunteers are satisfied
• Watches fatigue levels and any safety problems with participants, volunteers and staff

• Enforces policies of the Program

B.      Dock / Beach Master

• Forms roster of skiers
• Assesses participants for water safety and equipment needs
• Assigns shore help to participant
• Communicates between towboat, chase boat and shore
• Maintains progress notes of skiers upon conclusion of ski ride

• Responsible for smooth flow of clinic

C.      Shore Help

• Assists Dock / Beach Master
• Assembles appropriate equipment
• Instructs participant in progression of lesson
• Introduces verbal and hand, whistle or head movements signals
• Assists and / or transfers skier into water to meet Water Starter

• Helps skier out of the water and back to shore

  D.      Water Starter

• Checks for water safety
• Instruct or assist skier with equipment
• Review verbal and hand, whistle or head movements signals
• Assist skier with balance while waiting for the start
• May “drag” behind skier to assist with balance after skier starts

• Meets or “catches” returning skiers

  E.       Jumpers

• Performs all the duties of a Water Starter

• May jump from a moving chase boat to assist a skier that has fallen

 F.       Boat Drivers 

• AWSA certified boat drivers (or similar experience)
• May drive either chase or tow boats
• Should be familiar with driving a variety of boats particularly AWSA towboats and/or other personal water craft (PWC)
• Should be familiar with towing a variety of skiers and water ski equipment

• Should be familiar with driving a boat equipped with a training or barefoot boom

IV.  GENERAL RULES

• All first time participants must be assessed for water safety
• All first time sit skiers use the beginner ski until they can get the towrope out of the starting block and ski successfully
• All first time single leg skiers start on a training boom or Edge Triple Bar
• All staff, volunteers and participants must wear a United States Coast Guard approved (USCGA) personal floatation device (PFD) while in the water or riding a personal water craft (PWC)

• The consumption or use of alcohol or drugs will not be allowed

V.  WATER SAFETY TEST

• It is not mandatory participants be swimmers before they learn to water ski
• All participants must demonstrate they are comfortable in the water
• While in the water have the student show their capability of turning themselves from a face down position to a face up position
• Next, have the student perform the task wearing a ski vest (Type III PFD)
• If unsuccessful with a ski vest, have the student demonstrate the task using a commercial life preserver (Type I PFD)

•  If they cannot run themselves over with a commercial life preserver then the policy to not allow them to ski must be followed

VI.  EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

 A.    Injured skier in the water

• If skier is unconscious and face down roll skier onto their back.  DO NOT MOVE THE NECK!  It is important to roll the whole body as a unit
• Check for breathing.  If they are not breathing start emergency resuscitation in the water

• DO NOT REMOVE THE SKIER FROM THE WATER.  Stabilize the skier in the water until trained help arrives (i.e., water safety director or paramedics)

B.    Two person rescue

• First person goes to seek medical help.  Phone 911 – stay calm!  Give location, what happened, how many people need help.  HANG UP LAST!

• Second person stays with the injured individual and gives emergency first aid if necessary 

C.    One person rescue

• Stay with injured individual
• Call for help loudly!

• Give emergency first aid if necessary D.      Telephone

• All staff and volunteers should know where the nearest telephone is located.  If a telephone is not easily reached a cellular phone (if service is available) should be kept at the site with the Troubleshooter

• Printed directions to the site should be placed next to the designated emergency phone

 E.       Emergency Room

• The Emergency Room of the local hospital should be alerted in advance to our summer program

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