International Ride Operator Certification – Aquatic Operator
(iROC-AO)
Waterparks are an essential and exciting component of the attractions industry. Lifeguards are trained to exacting standards to save lives in the event of a drowning. They watch over their guests, singularly focused on preventing tragedy that can be a result of the inherent risks of aquatic recreation. But lifeguards are also ride operators, charged with the responsibility for operating waterslides, water coasters, surfing simulators, and other aquatic attractions bearing far more similarity to a traditional amusement ride than to a pool or beach. In 2019, International Ride Training implemented the iROC-AO – Aquatic Operator program to address the need for ride safety training, standards, and accountability on these types of aquatic attractions.
About the iROC-AO–Aquatic Operator Program
Why Aquatic Operator Certification Matters
Statistics show that waterslide operations are among the safest kind of recreation when it comes to the risk of drowning. In short, thanks in no small part to the lifesaving skills continually reinforced in lifeguard certification programs, guests on a waterslide have an incredibly small chance of drowning during their experience. Unfortunately, the same is not true when it comes to other kinds of injuries associated with waterslide operation such as bumps and bruises, lacerations, or contusions associated with the ride experience. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission estimates that thousands of emergency room visits each year are caused by injuries incurred in connection with waterslides. Each of these injuries carries with it a toll with regard to guest safety and a cost in terms of potential liability and risk management. That’s where the iROC-AO program comes in.
Program Distinction
The iROC-AO – Aquatic Operator program is not a lifeguarding certification. It focuses on the other hat that every lifeguard operating an aquatic attraction must wear: that of an operator working to dispatch riders, assist riders in unloading and exiting, or conveying ride units to the dispatch point using specialized lift conveyors. The iROC-AO program focuses aquatic operators in the waterpark on the Ten Critical Components of Ride Safety and shows how those concepts apply with equal force to an aquatic attraction so that our guests receive the same safe, professional, and efficient operational experience regardless of whether their ride unit operates on wheels or water.
The iROC-AO program focuses aquatic operators in the waterpark on the Ten Critical Components of Ride Safety and shows how those concepts apply with equal force to an aquatic attraction so that our guests receive the same safe, professional, and efficient operational experience regardless of whether their ride unit operates on wheels or water.
iROC-AO comprises of three elements:
Training Support
Accountability
Post Incident Support
Training Support
Training according to the iROC-AO Ten Critical Components begins with licensed iROC-AO Instructors. Instructors obtain their license to administer the iROC-AO program through attendance at the iROC-AO Roll Out Training (conducted at their facility) or the annual iROC “Ride Camp” Safety School. Once licensed, IRT authorizes iROC-AO instructors to administer the iROC-AO program at their home facility, by training in-house trainers on the fundamental principles of the Ten Critical Components, the iROC-AO training philosophy, and how the Ten Critical Components fit into the operating procedures for any specific ride. iROC-AO Instructors and Trainers then train and test front-line aquatic operators on these fundamental principles using IRT-provided classroom training materials, testing, and videos (all provided online) as well as during on-site training at specific ride locations.
- iROC-AO Roll-Out Training Program
- Annual “Ride Camp” Safety School Registration
- Training Methodology
- Online Operator Training
- Streaming video
- iROC-AO Instructor Resource Manual
- iROC-AO Operator Resource Manual
- Cloud based secure record keeping
- Monthly iROC-AO Instructor Intel Call
Accountability
The iROC-AO Program provides the tools necessary to ensure that an operator’s training is realized in performance. iROC-AO Facilities receive access to IRT’s proprietary iROC-AO Self-Auditing Mobile App to ensure accurate tracking and management of performance standards as well as two unannounced Certification Audits annually conducted by IRT-trained auditors. IRT audits typically include twelve ride locations chosen at random to include a mix of slide types, from kiddie rides to the largest waterslides. Aquatic Operator performance is assessed based on more than thirty audit criteria each slide cycle. Scores on individual rides are aggregated to award an overall facility score.
- Two unannounced iROC-AO Certification Audits Annually
- Up to 12 aquatic attractions assessed - over thirty performance criteria
- Videotaped observation
- Narrative Audit Report with corrective actions
- Detailed Assessment Sheets
- Exit Meeting
- Failing audits require additional follow up audit
- iROC-AO Self-Auditing Mobile App (Android / Apple)
- Annual Reporting (with historical comparison)
Post-Incident Support
iROC-AO Operators are among the best in the world. Nonetheless, in the unlikely event that a serious injury or fatality occurs in the park, IRT is your partner. Upon request, IRT will assist in the investigation of the incident and, if necessary, provide expert witness and documentary support. There is no additional fee for this service other than travel expense.
How does iROC-AO Benefit You?
Safety
Studies show that amusement park injuries are primarily caused by guest misconduct or, less frequently, operator error, and slide-related injuries occur at more than twice the rate of dry-ride incidents. The iROC-AO program reduces the opportunity for guest misconduct by ensuring that operators are paying appropriate attention and proactively taking steps to prevent misconduct before it starts. Moreover, iROC-AO operators are trained to actively manage and control the entire ride or slide cycle from beginning to end, reducing the opportunity for boredom and careless errors in ride operation.
Standardization
In the wake of an unfortunate incident in the amusement or water park industry, an oft- repeated theme in media reports is the lack of standardization in amusement regulation. iROC-AO provides consistent operational standards for safe, professional, and efficient operation regardless of where the facility is located. For multi- park systems, iROC-AO bridges the gap created by state regulation, giving your guests and your team members confidence that the rides or slides they experience at one park will be subject to the same operating standards across the entire chain. For standalone parks, iROC-AO instills in your guests confidence that your rides or slides are being operated according to a national set of standards absent under the current system of state-by-state ride regulation.
Support And Communication
IRT facilitates communication between facilities to ensure an open dialog and innovation in the area of ride & aquatic safety regardless of corporate affiliation. iROC-AO facilities do not hesitate to communicate with one another when safety in on the line. And that is good for the entire industry.
Risk Management
According to studies, the median personal injury jury award in the United States is over $1 million and facilities can expect to spend another $1 million, or more, solely on the administrative costs of a lawsuit including employee time, lost profits and productivity, and lost opportunities. Those costs are not insured and come directly from your bottom line. The iROC-AO program gives you the training and assessment tools necessary to help you avoid these expensive and time- consuming claims. Avoiding even one such claim, saves your facility substantial expense and pays for the iROC-AO program many times over.
Education
iROC-AO clients are invited to the annual iROC “Ride Camp” Safety School, the primary means of attaining and maintaining iROC-AO Instructor Certification. Hosted by an iROC Facility each year, Ride Camp provides unparalleled in- depth continuing eduction focused exclusively on ride & aquatic operations excellence. Ride Camp is a fun, educational, immersive, and singularly focused experience devoted entirely to ride & aquatic operations training and performance.