ATC Hydrotherapy Techniques & Equipment Flashcards

Which emergency rescue equipment must be immediately accessible at an aquatic therapy facility?

Answer: Reaching pole, ring buoy, and backboard with head immobilizer

A reaching pole, ring buoy, and backboard must be poolside at all times to enable rapid response to aquatic emergencies including spinal injury rescues.

The most appropriate method to transfer a non-ambulatory patient into an aquatic therapy pool is:

Answer: Hydraulic or electric pool lift chair

Hydraulic or electric pool lift chairs are the standard of care for transferring non-ambulatory patients, reducing injury risk to both patient and therapist.

Free chlorine levels in a therapeutic pool should typically be maintained at:

Answer: 1.0–3.0 ppm

Free chlorine between 1.0–3.0 ppm provides adequate disinfection while minimizing skin, eye, and respiratory irritation for patients and therapists.

The ideal pH range for therapeutic pool water is:

Answer: 7.2–7.8

Pool pH of 7.2–7.8 optimizes disinfectant effectiveness, prevents equipment corrosion, and minimizes irritation to eyes and skin.

Anti-turbulence lane lines in a therapeutic pool primarily serve to:

Answer: Absorb waves and reduce interference between adjacent patient treatment areas

Anti-turbulence lane lines are designed to absorb wave energy, allowing multiple patients to receive therapy simultaneously without disrupting each other.

Which pool design feature most directly improves accessibility for patients with mobility impairments?

Answer: Zero-entry slope, ramps, or graduated step entry design

Zero-entry or ramped pool designs allow patients using wheelchairs, walkers, or with limited mobility to enter and exit the water safely without steps.