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MTSU Campus Recreation

Aquatics Policies

  • A Campus Recreation lifeguard must be present before entering the water.
  • Patrons under the influence of alcohol or drugs are prohibited.
  • All users are encouraged to shower in the locker room before entering the pool.
  • Foam or inflatable play apparatus only. (No full-sized flotation devices. Children who need a flotation device must have a parent/guardian within arm’s reach).
  • Dive in deep water only (9 feet and above).
  • No swimming in diving board area.
  • Proficient swimming ability is required to swim in deep water areas. You may be asked by a lifeguard to show an ability to swim before using a pool or pool equipment.
  • The pool is not available for open swimming during all open building hours, but every effort is made to maximize open use. Information on swimming pool hours is available at the front desk and entrance to the pool.
  • A swimsuit dryer is provided in the locker room. The machine is designed to dry swimsuits only. In order to protect equipment, use the dryer only for its intended purpose.
  • Only personal items used while swimming are allowed in this area. Campus Recreation is not responsible for any damaged, lost, or stolen items. Day-use lockers and rental lockers are available.
  • Use headphones or earbuds while listening to personal music.
  • Unauthorized use of facilities for instructing, training, or coaching is prohibited.
  • Unauthorized use of video, photography, and recording devices is prohibited.
  • All flotation devices must be U.S. Coast Guard approved.
  • In case of lightning, the pool must be cleared. Do not enter the pool until the storm has passed and the lifeguard indicates it is safe to reenter.
  • Lap lanes are for swimming laps only.
  • These items and activities are prohibited:
    • Personal displays of affection
    • Running or rough play in the pool, deck area, diving boards, platforms, or in the hallway nearest the pools
    • Extended underwater breath holding, hyperventilation, or hypoxic training – an extended period is 20+ seconds or a distance of 25 yards
    • Diving in shallow areas and where marked ‘NO DIVING’ – backflips and inward and reverse dives are prohibited
    • Spitting, spouting of water, blowing the nose and regurgitating pool water
    • Using the pool with open sores, cuts, bandages, or infectious diseases – do not swim when you have diarrhea or for two weeks after the last incidence of diarrheal symptoms
    • Glass containers and all food items, including gum, are prohibited – water in a sealed non-glass container is allowed
    • Backpacks, handbags, purses, or any personal bags – mesh bags holding swimming equipment are allowed
    • Excessive horseplay and offensive language/behavior of any kind is not allowed.

  • No diving.
  • In case of lightning and/or thunder, the pool must be cleared. Do not enter the pool until the lifeguard indicates it is safe to reenter.
  • Water squirt guns are not permitted.
  • Full-size floats or tubes are not allowed.

  • Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.
  • Children (age 5 and under) or any non-swimmer who may also be wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation device must be directly supervised in the water by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult (age 18 or over) and within arm’s reach at all times.
  • Lifeguards have the discretion to require a parent, guardian, or responsible adult (age 18 or over) to be in the water with a child
    over five years old whom they judge a weak or non-swimmer.
  • All diapered children must wear swim diapers in conjunction with appropriate swimwear. Swim diapers are available for purchase at Member Services.
  • Do not change diapers or clothing at poolside. Use the men’s or women’s locker rooms or all gender changing room.

  • All patrons and guests within the pool area must comply with our dress code focused on providing patron safety, operating efficiency, and maintaining a family- friendly image.
  • Permitted swimwear must be clean, designed specifically for in-water use, and non-restrictive to necessary body movements.
    • Males: Must comply in wearing swimwear that covers the buttocks and pubic region.
    • Females: Must comply in wearing swimwear that covers the breasts, buttocks, and pubic region.
    • Swimwear attire must be colorfast and lightweight material designed for swimming, such as nylon, spandex, polyester, and high tech trunks. Swim trunks must have a mesh or nylon liner. Swim briefs are also acceptable.
    • Religious and modesty swimwear is permitted so long as
      the attire is designed for in-water use and complies with
      the coverage guidelines mentioned above.
    • Rashguards (including thermal) are acceptable to be worn and are encouraged for individuals seeking sun-protection
      or a layer of warmth in the cooler water.
  • These items are prohibited:
    • Street clothes in the water
    • See-through and revealing swimwear
    • T-shirts (those intended to be worn for modesty purposes and/or sun protection can be approved on a case by case basis), cut-offs, compression shirts/shorts, athletic shorts, jeans, pants, casual shorts, leotards, dresses, sarongs, sports bras, thongs, undergarments, socks, sandals, and shoes (exception for aqua footwear), etc.
  • Street clothes and cover-ups can be worn on the pool deck; however, it is strongly suggested to store these items in a locker.
  • Proper footwear/attire (shirt) is required to move throughout the facility and in areas outside of the immediate pool and deck area.
  • All diapered children must wear swim diapers in conjunction with appropriate swimwear. 
  • Aquatics staff reserves the right to determine whether or not swimwear is permissible to be worn within our facilities.
approved swimwear

  • One person on the slide surface at a time.
  • Sit or lie on your back in feet first position only
  • Keep arms/legs inside the slide at all times.
  • Do not stop or stand when movement down the slide surface begins.
  • Children less than 4 feet tall may use the slide only if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • Riders may not have flotation devices, goggles, aqua shoes, or any items that may cause a stoppage or injury on the slide

  • Swimmers requiring assistance may not use diving board.
  • One person on the diving board at a time.
  • One bounce only.
  • Wait until water under board is clear before diving.
  • Users must jump or straightforwardly leave the board. Diving is not allowed to either side of the board. Backflips and inward and reverse dives are prohibited.
  • After a dive takes place, the diver must swim straight back to the nearest wall and exit the pool.
  • Divers may not wear goggles, flotation devices, or use toys while diving. (The only exception would be under the supervision of a Campus Recreation Swim Instructor). 

  • Circle swimming requires swimmers to follow a circular pattern, swimming on the right-hand side of the lane at all times except to pass. Passing should not be done near the wall.
  • Lap swimmers are required to circle swim when lane use exceeds three persons.
  • Lanes with two persons may split down the middle.
  • Lifeguards have final authority to dictate lap swimming arrangements.