Compliance Level of Hotel Swimming Pools with International Life Saving Federation (ILS) Safety and Rescue Equipment Standards

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the compliance level of hotel swimming pools with basic and advanced aquatic safety and rescue equipment standards established by the International Life Saving Federation (ILS), and to examine the effect of hotel classification (3, 4, and 5star) on equipment availability.

Methodology: A descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional observational design was employed across a random sample of fifty (N = 50) hotel swimming pools. Data were collected using a standardized facility audit checklist based on the latest ILS medical and rescue policy guidelines. Unannounced field audits were conducted to evaluate the physical presence, operational condition, and immediate accessibility of safety equipment.

Results: The findings revealed a severe compliance gap. High compliance rates were restricted to low-cost, basic equipment, such as ring buoys (80%) and basic first aid kits (84%). Conversely, a critical deficit was observed in advanced medical equipment: Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) were available in only 14% of facilities, medical oxygen cylinders in 10%, and spine boards in 36%. Environmentally, 76% of pools lacked elevated lifeguard chairs, compromising visual surveillance. Chi-square analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) based on hotel classification; 5-star hotels exhibited higher compliance, whereas 3-star hotels exhibited zero availability (0%) for AEDs, medical oxygen, and elevated chairs.

Conclusion & Recommendations: Hotel management predominantly adopts a "minimum administrative compliance" approach to satisfy licensing requirements rather than ensuring operational readiness. This leaves lifeguards physiologically and operationally unequipped to manage hypoxic cardiac arrests or spinal trauma. The study recommends mandatory regulatory reforms requiring AEDs and spine boards as non-negotiable prerequisites for facility licensing, alongside unannounced field inspections