A Lesson Learned
Volume 4 Issue 3 (2001)
Scott Deisley, New Braunfels General Store

The events of September 11, 2001 and the days following have had a significant effect on all of us. This is one of the most single devastating events that have ever happened to the United States. The rallying and unity in the wake of this tragedy and communal mourning has been touching in many ways as we see the better side of humans and the recognition of our commonalities, not our differences. It is heart-warming to see the acts of kindness and people’s open display of love for their nation. This is something that has receded in years past and has taken a backseat to whatever has become important in its place. It is good to see people refocus on what is deep down and profoundly important to them. It is a shame though, that we needed such a catastrophe to see these things.

So how does this apply to the aquatics industry? Actually, it is applicable and it has manifested itself in various ways that I would like to share. It has made me realize yet again that unfortunately the world is filled with tragedy that is either unavoidable, or so difficult to avoid that it may as well be. It has also strengthened my resolve to refocus, to take the “bull by the horns,” and get back to aggressively playing a part in controlling tragedies that I have some measure of control over. It has also reminded me that often we wait too long to refocus and our vigilance is triggered by tragedy. Unfortunately when it occurs, it is too late to help in the event that triggered it. Sadly this urgency is generally short-lived, and we slowly lapse into the same reduced sense of awareness that got us in trouble in the first place.

When I left Wild Wadi Waterpark in Dubai, United Arab Emirates seven months ago, I left for the first time in 15 years, the operations side of our business. I left behind the responsibilities of a lifeguard staff and the people that they protect. I left the fear of having a drowning in my facility. As I did so, I breathed a deep sigh of relief and felt that burden lifted from my shoulders. I felt proud and relieved that I had never experienced a drowning in any of those years of operation. However, the sad thing is that if there is one thing in this world I am good at, that may be it. It is an enormous responsibility, and it is an area where I can make a difference. Honestly, I miss it. This does not mean that I have to become an operator again to make a difference, but it does mean that I am responsible to do what I can to guard against tragedies. I am here to do certain things with my life and was given certain talents and drive to get them accomplished. I cannot ignore that or put it aside because I have dodged bullets up until now. For me, it is time to get back to work.

In our profession, making a difference is done in many ways. It is a daily task. It is being ever vigilant. It is about teaching vigilance, insisting on it constantly, and being out there walking around to ensure it happens. It is teaching the community how to save lives in the absence of professional help, or how to sustain life until help arrives. It is creating a new breed of professionals. It is teaching people how to swim so that they can keep themselves out of harm’s way. It is teaching them the dangers of mixing alcohol and water, about the use of lifejackets, about protecting themselves from the dangers of prolonged, unprotected exposure to the sun, or the danger of dehydration. It is about avoiding the avoidable and preparing for the unavoidable. There is no terrorist mastermind behind these tragedies or no evil machination. There is only a lack of action on the part of those who are infinitely equipped to prevent them. The evil is the cynicism that tells us that it is “a pain”, or “it is too hot out”, or “I am burned out”, or whatever it is that slows our resolve to make a difference in this world.

I know that you are diligent and vigilant, and you probably feel that I am attacking you and other professionals or questioning your dedication. This is not my intent. I just think that any opportunity to re-examine our methods, challenge our routines and strengthen our resolve should be seized before a death becomes the reason to do so. We need to be critical of ourselves all the time and look for areas where we can improve, because improvement is that important and our egos should not interfere.

It should not take a death to bring out the best in us, and it should not be that kind of event that drives us. It always seems that after an incident security measures get stepped up. They are stepped up in response, not in anticipation. Maybe we need to refresh ourselves every so often without the aid of a catastrophe to drive us. Rick Faber, longtime industry leader and current Director of Marketing for Schlitterbahn used to call it a safety filter. He told us to “install a safety filter and change it out frequently.” Forget that you know everything and look at your operation as if it is the first time you have ever seen it. Re-examine your operations. Look again! And again! And again! Dr. John Hunsucker, President of NASCO, always told me that “nothing ever stays the same, it’s either getting better or it’s getting worse.”

Let things get better before things get worse right before our very eyes.