A PREP SCHOOL FOR THE AQUATIC FACILITY OPERATOR
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I Can't Understand Chemistry So What Am I Getting Myself Into...?

You've decided (or is it someone's decided for you?) to take the Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) course by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Hey, they say that it's pretty interesting, even a lot of fun. That is if you're not snowed. (Snowed: Slang for overwhelmed or blown away by unfamiliar stuff...) So the beginning of this little advanced-warning booklet is designed to let you decide what your snow factor is – that is, whether or not you need this primer to get you ready for the 16 hours of classroom work, some book-learnin', two lunches, five breaks and a test that you're somewhat committed to endure in the near future. The rest of this Prep-School package is an introductory, simplified study guide of sorts so, if you need it, you can reduce your SF (snow factor) and walk in the door with a bit more confidence. After all, we all weren't born chemists.

First let's decide where you are on the SF scale now. What's been your experience around pools? Have you managed and maintained a public pool for a few years? Maybe a shorter time? You've been a lifeguard for a summer or two, right? Just recently got the job, huh? Haven't even seen the pool yet! (Don't fret; that's often the case in AFO classes...) Well, that sequence of possibilities may have described an AFO student with an SF of zero through about 10! And you don't want to walk into class being a 10, believe me.

The course is not difficult, we promise. But it covers a lot of stuff you do need to be familiar with. Some of you have the AFO manual already. Well, if so, take a look inside. The table of contents is pretty much what's going to be covered, and in just about that order too. See, it's not all chemistry – not even close. Pool-water chemistry is, however, one of the areas of most concern. So read on; we can help.

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