FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact:

Brian F. Bauer
703-359-4603
bbauer@nvrpa.org

NVRPA Removes In-Water Abdominal

Thrusts from Rescue Protocols
Fairfax Station, VA (June 3, 2010) – The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, which owns
and operates five waterparks in the Northern Virginia area, is officially removing the use of
in-water abdominal thrusts from its rescue protocols.

It is important to understand that the use of this technique never took the place of standard CPR.
“There is a public misconception that abdominal thrusts may have been used in place of CPR.
That couldn’t be further from the truth; this technique was an optional 4-6 second method to be
used in very rare circumstances before CPR could be administered. As such, it was never a very
central part of our lifeguards’ protocols” said Paul Gilbert.

NVRPA works closely with the National Aquatics Safety Company on rigorous and highly
successful safety protocols at each of its five waterparks. Some of the elements that make this
program the most rigorous lifeguard training program tailored to waterparks in the nation are:

 Victim recognition: Lifeguards are trained to recognize common victim characteristics

and behaviors, the most common types of victims, as well as special victims who could
potentially go unnoticed by a lifeguard.

 Scanning - “Watching the Water”: Intense training and testing on scanning techniques.

 Performance Monitoring: Individual lifeguard performance is rated regularly by facility

staff, off-site aquatics safety staff and NASCO staff, to monitor and measure performance
throughout the swim season.

 Management training: In addition to their lifeguard training and certification, NVRPA full-
time and seasonal aquatics management staff undergo 20 hours of additional training,
specifically covering on-deck management of lifeguards and facilities.

 In-service training: Lifeguards are required to attend weekly skills training and a mid
season recertification training.

 Site-specific training: The NASCO program is tailored and applied at each facility in a
way that addresses the specific characteristics of that facility.
Pools and waterparks that use these higher standards of guarding like the NVRPA waterparks
are 100 times safer than other aquatic facilities. This statement is supported by a study of
aquatic facilities that use these high standards versus the national average of drownings per
capita.

“The level of training and professionalism of the lifeguards at NVRPA’s waterparks and almost
any other pool or waterparks is extremely obvious to anyone who observes them. Our lifeguards
are an elite team, and you can see it in their laser-sharp focus on the task of monitoring
swimmers and responding to issues,” stated Paul Gilbert, NVRPA Executive Director.

NVRPA owns and operates some of the most popular waterparks in the region, including:

• Great Waves at Cameron Run, home of the areas largest wave pool, in Alexandria.
• Upton Hill Waterpark in Arlington.
• Pirate’s Cove Waterparks at Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton.
• Volcano Island Waterpark at Algonkian Regional Park in Sterling.
• Atlantis Waterpark at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville.

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The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority enhances the communities of Northern Virginia and enriches the lives of
their citizens through the conservation of regional natural and cultural resources. It provides diverse regional recreational
and educational opportunities, and fosters an understanding of the relationships between people and their environment.
Visit NVRPA today online at www.nvrpa.org

NVRPA Board of Directors – City of Alexandria: David M. Pritzker, Justin Wilson; Arlington County: Paul Ferguson,
Michael Nardolilli; Fairfax County: Jean R. Packard, Stella Koch; City of Fairfax: Brian Knapp, Arthur F. Little; City of Falls
Church: Jeffrey Tarbert, Barry D. Buschow; Loudoun County: Joan G. Rokus, Su Webb (Chairman).