Be prepared: train your waterpark staff to expect the unexpected. (In My View).(Brief Article)

Despite thorough safety policies, rules and signage, waterparks largely depend upon their staffs to enforce rules and ensure the safety of guests.

Unfortunately, staff roles are one of the least understood aspects at waterparks. While employees can reinforce rules and instructions for water attractions, they are powerless to intervene if a guest chooses to violate or challenge a rule.

Can't force compliance

Similar to speed limits on highways, waterpark rules are established and clearly posted. The fact that someone doesn't comply with the speed limit or waterpark rules doesn't constitute invalidation of the rules or endorsement of the activity.

Short of a toot on a whistle, a waterslide attendant cannot force a kneeling rider to lie down; force a guest who is intentionally slowing down to cease braking; force guests who have rotated to the head-first position to reverse themselves; or make a person who is rocking a raft or inner tube to stop doing so. Obviously, riders of waterpark attractions don't have much in common with riders of dry-land amusement rides, where riders are constrained by buckles or bars and have no control over the riding experience.

If your staff is in a position to observe a violation and make contact with the guest, they should, like a traffic cop, encounter the guest and reinforce the rule.

Unfortunately, waterpark staffs do not have the authority that traffic cops have. Water-slide attendants can address inappropriate conduct only by signaling to the next attendant to admonish a rider or, rarely, by recognizing riders the next time they arrive at dispatch and addressing their inappropriate conduct. Likewise, catch-pool lifeguards aren't obligated to pull riders out of the landing area unless a trauma situation is developing or appears likely to develop.