Last updated on May 11th, 2023 at 10:01 pm
Swimmer safety is paramount. As a result, more and more meets are “closed deck” meets. A “closed deck” means the area immediately adjacent to the pool is only accessible by certain people. They include competing athletes and approved others such as registered coaches, officials, and designated meet workers. To keep the deck closed, access points are limited and monitored. Additionally, those with authorized access need some sort of identification to show it is okay for them to be there. “Meet credentials” is one name for this type of identification. Tyvek wristbands are an inexpensive, “non-shareable” form of identification that works well. Looking for an alternative method? Check out the Swim Meet Identification: Lanyard Badges post.
Contents for Using Wristbands for Event Identification
Wristbands Credential Plan
To effectively use meet identification, it’s important to consider the following. Then, make and carry out your wristband credentialing plan. Why? To help coordinate the efforts of the many people involved.
Who will receive one?
Will the person receiving a wristband need to show identification? If so, what? Also, consider how you’ll get this information to them in advance. Why? So they can come prepared. Additionally, if meet credentialing is new in your area, try getting the information out clearly, early, and repeatedly.
Governance Tip: Meet credentialing enables enforcement of USA Swimming coach member registration and also proper registration and certification of officials.
Who will pass them out?
Help prepare the person, or people, who will pass out the wristbands. Doing so will help them to do a good job. When will they receive training? Who will do it? What information needs to be included? Consider the answers carefully. Then, add them to your credentialing plan.
NOTE: Depending on the size of the meet, credentialing can be a big job. This is especially true during the warm-ups on the first day of the meet. Think about the number of people who will need credentials. A large number may warrant a meet worker dedicated solely to distribution during this time. This is especially true if each person’s credentials must be assessed and approved before getting a wristband. However, once the bulk of people get their wristband, those at the Clerk of Course or Volunteer Check-In Table may be able to do it.
Governance Tip: USA Swimming registration now includes expiration dates for background checks, Athlete Protection Training as well as member registration. All must be current for the USA Swimming coach or non-athlete membership to be valid.
Where?
Will those without wristbands be able to access the distribution point? Remember, those who need wristbands won’t be able to access some places on the deck yet. So, put the wristband distribution place where everyone can get to it. Do you anticipate a line? If so, is there room to accommodate everyone?
When?
If possible, try to pass out wristbands before warm-ups of the first session. This way coaches can be with athletes during warm-ups. Also, officials can attend pre-meet briefings. If it’s a small meet, you may only need an extra 15-30 minutes before the start. Many large meets that offer warm-ups before the first day of the meet begin credential distribution then.
How?
How will the person who passes out wristbands know who should receive one? Some meets have a list of approved people, such as currently registered coaches. Meet workers see the person’s identification, check the list, and give the wristband if the person is on it. Other times, the person must show a form of credential, such as proof of current registration. If this is the case, be sure to train the distributor on what is acceptable identification and what is not. Will there be a sign-in with the credential check? If so, provide needed materials.
Using multiple colors?
Will the meet use multiple colors of wristbands? Some multi-session meets opt to use multiple colors. For example, one color per session or day. A very secure, closed-deck may require a new color for every session. Some meet hosts prefer one color per day. Will there be a single “all sessions” color for coaches or others attending all sessions of the meet?
If using multiple colors, how will the person passing out wristbands knows which color to use for each session or day? Also consider how the meet marshals, hospitality workers, and others will know the designated color for each session or day? To solve this problem, one meet leader made a simple flier showing session colors for the entire meet. Then, shared it with the different people who check wristbands.
Will the facility distribute similar wristbands to paying patrons?
If the facility is open to the public during the swim meet, do they give similar wristbands to their patrons? If so, try to coordinate so that the meet wristband and facility wristband colors will differ each day.
Any “part-session” volunteers?
Will your meet have “part-session” volunteers? For example, some teams provide different first half and second half timers for their lane assignments. If so, does someone need to remove the wristbands from departing workers? You can make their job easier by providing easy access to scissors.
Where to get wristbands
The following are affiliate links to inexpensive Tyvek wristbands on Amazon.
WristCo Pantone Purple 3/4″ Tyvek Wristbands – 100 Pack Paper Wristbands for Events
WristCo Caribbean Blue 3/4″ Tyvek Wristbands – 500 Pack Paper Wristbands for Events
One Detailed Example of a Wristbands Credential Plan
For one detailed example of a swim meet credentialing plan see page 57 and pages 125- 129 of the 2016 Western Zone Age Group Championships Meet Plan.
Meet Credentialing Policy Example
Here is one example of a meet credentialing policy. It is from Utah Swimming, a state-wide LSC of USA Swimming.
Title Image Credit: “arts & crafts” by sbma44 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Preparing for a swim meet? Check out The Ultimate Swim Meet To-Do List. Then, get a bird’s eye view of Who does What at Swim Meets. Both include easy-to-follow links to related information. Doing a smaller, simpler meet? Host a High School or Developmental Swim Meet will help.
Need more help? See 20+ Ways to Get Swim Meet Timers and Officials: 20+ Ways to Get them for Swim Meets.
Also, discover a few things you can do to Increase Safety at Swim Meets. Find ideas to implement before your meet as well as last-minute quick and easy tips!