education and events
Pool Operator Courses
Learn everything you need to know about safely and successfully operating an aquatics facility.
Interested in becoming a Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO)? Find all upcoming in-person and virtual CPO courses here.
Click on a course title below to expand the course information.
On-Demand
In 2019, the CMAHC assembled two new Ad Hoc Committees to address an emerging trend in aquatic venue design—public aquatic venues that mimic natural bodies of water. The Artificial Swimming Lagoon and Surf Venue Ad Hoc Committees were convened to study how the design, construction, operation, and management of these novel and extremely large aquatic venues could prevent illness and injury and propose change requests accordingly. This presentation will summarize the change requests; highlight proposed design, construction, operation, and management recommendations that differ greatly from recommendations for other aquatic venues; and provide the rationale for these differences.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the MAHC as guidance for preventing illness and injuries related to recreational water activities.
- Examine the two recent CMAHC Ad Hoc committees and their proactive efforts to tackle emerging trends in aquatic venue design.
- Discuss how to submit Change Requests on Artificial Swimming Lagoons and Surf Venues for the 4th Edition MAHC.
CEUs: 1
Course Fee: $39/member and $79/non-member.
This presentation will provide you with overarching ideas to consider when reviewing pool construction plans for public health plan review. We hope to provide you with objectives you can utilize while working with designers and owners to build a useable and safe public pool/spa/wader.
Learning Objectives:
- Prepare the goals of a public health plan review.
- Discuss tips for working with designers and builders.
- Define objectives for designing a useful and usable pool/spa/wader.
CEUs: 1
Presenter: John Mason
Course Fee: $39/member and $79/non-member.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) in indoor pools is known to be affected by water quality, circulation of water in the pool, the design and operation of the HVAC system, and bather load. In this session, attendees will examine the project, review field experiments conducted to quantify IAQ dynamics in several indoor pool facilities, and discuss the mathematical model developed to simulate IAQ dynamics. Ernest Blatchley will explain how the model can be used to predict the effects of changes to system behavior, including changes to water treatment that affect water quality, as well as changes to HVAC system operation.
Learning Objectives:
- Examine factors that affect indoor air quality (IAQ) in pools.
- Identify the modeling approach to simulate IAQ dynamics.
- Discuss possible approaches to improve IAQ.
CEUs: 1
Presenter: Ernest R. (Chip) Blatchley III
Course Fee: $39/member and $79/non-member.
Indoor air quality is one of the biggest challenges facing indoor pools today. While there are numerous methods, technologies, and polices to help with air quality, none of them have proven to be the silver bullet. This session will review current trends impacting air quality, best practices to minimize poor air quality, and new technologies that improve air quality.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the chemistry behind the creation and destruction of combined chlorine.
- Identify the basic steps every swimmer should take to help improve air quality.
- Define what technologies are available to improve air quality.
CEUs: 1
Presenter: Kevin Post
Course Fee: $39/member and $79/non-member.
While the CDC states that COVID-19 cannot survive in a properly treated pool and hot tub, that does not mean that public aquatic venues do not provide an opportunity for the potential spread of COVID-19. Reopening any business or establishment in these times is not without some risk to staff and members/guests. This session will examine how to manage those risks during COVID-19 and how to implement changes, such as social distancing and regular cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces, for long-term venue management during these unprecedented times.
Learning Objectives:
- Review CDC, PHTA, and other guidelines being used for aquatic venues.
- Identify high areas of risk during COVID-19.
- Discuss successful aquatic venue management during COVID-19.
CEUs: 1
Presenter: Commander Joe Laco
Course Fee: $39/member and $79/non-member.
This on-demand education program is an introduction to the pool industry. A new employee goes through this program with the goal of understanding the basics of how the industry works, and some of the main components of pools and hot tubs. Topics covered include job roles in building, service, and retail; certification paths; definitions of main pool and hot tub components; basic water chemistry and the chemicals involved; safety; and water testing techniques.
Learning Objectives:
- Define different types of businesses in the pool/spa industry.
- Define the role of manufacturers, associations, and government agencies.
- Explore the types of pools and spas and how they are used.
- Define basic pool components and equipment.
- Introduce basic water chemistry.
- Define common water testing methods.
- Introduce the next steps to moving forward with certification pathways.
Course Length: 1.25 hours
Course Fee: $39/member and $79/non-member.
Outbreaks of recreational water illness readily fall into two categories: chlorine sensitive and chlorine resistant. Designing adequate management systems to prevent these illnesses requires understanding how each type occurs. The prevalence of these easily controlled RWIs and the reports of widespread closures during an inspection indicate a widespread systemic failure in management at many facilities. This presentation will focus on numerous practical considerations that can be implemented to reduce both the chlorine-sensitive and chlorine-resistant RWI outbreaks. This session was presented at the 2020 World Aquatic Health Conference by Dr. Roy Vore.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the most common operating parameters leading to facility closure.
- Identify instances where each type of mismanaged parameter has resulted in RWI outbreaks.
- Describe how improved management practices can prevent RWI outbreaks.
CEUs: 1
Presenter:
Dr. Vore is a Senior Consultant with Vore and Associates, LLC., located in Suwanee, GA. Previously, Dr. Vore was the technology manager at BioLab, Inc. His work focused on the control of microbial growth in recreational water and household surfaces. Roy is a Certified Pool & Spa Operator, a member of the Education Committee, an active contributor to the Recreational Water Quality Committee, was a major contributor to the Disinfection Water Quality module of the Model Aquatic Health Code (the "MAHC"), and the lead author of NSPF's Recreational Water Illness handbook. Dr. Vore holds a Ph.D. in bacterial physiology, master's and bachelor’s in microbiology. Dr. Vore has over 90 scholarly papers and presentations on the selection and use of industrial biocides, biocide testing methodology, the microbiological of swimming pools and spas, and the governmental regulation of biocides.
Course Fee: $39/member and $79/non-member.
Now more than ever, organizations are looking for better ways to manage risk and ensure safety at their facilities. The last thing they want to worry about in the face of a public health crisis or potential litigation is whether their aquatic team has followed the proper procedures for documentation of safety requirements. Many organizations are turning to software applications for the digital management and documentation of maintenance issues, inspections, water chemistry, staff management, certifications, and training. In this session, we'll present how digital tools can be used to improve risk management and safety, in a cost-effective way.
Learning Objectives:
- Examine how digital documentation can help reduce the risks associated with aquatic operations and help ensure code compliance.
- Identify how digital tools can manage staff assignments, certification, and training to ensure safe operations.
- Discuss the cost-effectiveness of digital documentation, in improving risk and safety, using facility results and public data from sources including CDC.
CEUs: 1
Presenters:
- Rich DiMeo
- Kevin Post
Course Fee: $39/member and $79/non-member.
