Lightning Policy

Lightning strikes to individuals are rare but can be deadly. It is also the most consistent and significant weather hazard that can affect swimming participation. Due to the nature of lightning and the arrangement of NMSU's swimming facility, there must be a policy in place to respond to the occurrence of lightning.

When it is initially brought to the attention of the lifeguard on duty in the Outdoor Pool that lightning is present, he/she will call for the assistance of a secondary lifeguard by blowing two long whistle blasts. The secondary lifeguard will begin the “flash to bang method”. To use the flash to bang method, begin a stopwatch when sighting a lightening flash. The stopwatch is stopped when the associated bang (thunder) is heard. Divide this number by five to determine the distance of the lightning flash, in miles.

When it is determined that lightning is at least 6 miles a way, which is a count of 30 seconds between the flash and bang, the Outdoor Pool must be evacuated completely. The decision to evacuate the Outdoor Pool will be announced by one long whistle blast from the primary lifeguard on duty in the Outdoor Pool.

When the decision has been made to evacuate the Outdoor Pool, swimmers will report to a safe structure. A Safe Structure is defined as any building normally occupied or frequently used by people, i.e. a building with plumbing or electrical wiring that acts to electrically ground the structure.

The Outdoor Pool will be CLOSED for a minimum of thirty minutes after the initial 30 second count. During this time the Lifeguard Supervisor will monitor the storm at www.nws.noaa.gov . When it is determined by the National Weather Service that a thunderstorm warning is no longer in effect and it is safe to go outside, the lifeguard supervisor on duty will perform another “flash to bang” count. The Outdoor Pool will remain CLOSED for an additional thirty minutes if lightning is still within 6 miles away. This procedure will continue until it is determined that lighting is greater than 6 miles away.

Refunds will not be given to those guests who have been evacuated and have paid the daily guest fee, however a “rain check” will be issued and is valid for 7 days after the evacuation.

In order to ensure a safe swimming environment, and in keeping within our mission to serve the NMSU campus community, accommodations in the Indoor Pool will only be made for NMSU groups if space is available. Teams, classes or groups that are scheduled in the Indoor Pool during an Outdoor Pool evacuation will have first priority of the Indoor Pool, but will be asked to adjust their lane usage to accommodate the NMSU teams, classes or groups displaced by the evacuation.