06/05/2026
Following two recent incidents involving glass found in our aquatic facilities—one at Water World last week and another in the Indoor Pool earlier this spring—the Worthington YMCA and Worthington Water World are implementing a new aquatic safety policy.
Effective immediately, face-mask style swim goggles (swim masks) will no longer be permitted in our facilities.
This decision was made after reviewing multiple aquatic safety concerns, including:
• Obstructing access to a swimmer’s face and airway during rescues, CPR, and other emergency situations.
• The potential for glass or tempered-glass components to shatter, creating hazards for swimmers, staff, and pool equipment.
• Making it more difficult for lifeguards to quickly recognize signs of distress and respond during an emergency.
• Challenges in distinguishing between masks made with plastic lenses and those containing glass, making consistent enforcement difficult.
While not every swim mask contains glass, staff cannot reliably determine lens materials from a distance. A consistent policy helps eliminate uncertainty and improves safety for all patrons.
Standard swim goggles that cover only the eyes and are made with shatter-resistant plastic lenses remain permitted.
We appreciate your understanding as we continue working to provide the safest possible aquatic environment for our community.
