Saw Mill Club scrutinized in county report

Health Department probe followed near drowning of 5-year-old swimmer

The pool at the Genesis/Saw Mill Club in Mount Kisco reopened late last week after being shuttered for more than two weeks following the rescue of a 5-year-old boy late last month. (Martin Wilbur Photo)

By MARTIN WILBUR

The Genesis/Saw Mill Club in Mount Kisco was mandated by the Westchester County Health Department to correct violations at its swimming pool in the wake of the near-drowning and rescue of a young swimmer last month. 

A Health Department spokesperson said this week that the club pool passed its inspection on July 10, correcting all of the violations and was allowed to reopen the following day.

A post-incident report by the department found that none of the 26 campers that were in the pool at the time of the June 24 event wore wristbands distinguishing the swimmers from non-swimmers. The report stated that 16 of the 26 campers in the pool did not know how to swim.

Non-swimmers should have been restricted to water depths no higher than chest high, according to the report. The 5-year-old boy saved by club lifeguards was found floating face down in the pool and unconscious. He was 39 inches tall but was rescued in about 3½ feet of water, the report stated.

Furthermore, there was no buddy check system in place and no record of swim tests being conducted by the club, the report noted.

At the time of the incident no counselors were in the water providing supervision, the Health Department investigation also found. Lifeguards were in the midst of a rotation, and three lifeguards were in the vicinity of the main pool but with no garments identifying their role.

In a followup inspection June 28, it was found that three out of four entrances to the pool were unlocked and/or unmonitored.

“The club was issued a detailed inspection report by our public health sanitarians describing the serious public health hazards needing correction, which prompted the closing of the pool,” the spokesperson said. “The hazards have been corrected, and the pool has reopened.”

However, legal action against the club is pending, the department stated. The club will be served with a Notice of Violations, which could lead to civil penalties, the spokesperson mentioned.

The boy was given CPR by staff and regained consciousness quickly. He was taken to a hospital as a precaution but was reported to be in good spirits when he left the club.

Genesis/Saw Mill Club Vice President Kevin Kane said there have been multiple actions taken to correct the items listed in the Health Department’s reports. The club has added an additional lane line to visibly section off shallow, mid- and deep-water areas of the pool, which allows lifeguards to monitor swimmer behavior more effectively and quickly assess skill levels within each area, he said.

To address staffing concerns, Saw Mill has added two lifeguards to its active rotation, ensuring recommended staffing levels are exceeded for safe surveillance, Kane explained. This includes expanded coverage during high-use hours and a more frequent rotation and break schedule to prevent fatigue.

Lifeguards have completed enhanced in-service training beyond the requirements, including drills in emergency response, surveillance, spinal management and patron communication, Kane said. The club has also certified more staff than required in waterfront safety protocols to maintain the highest standard of supervision and care.

“Saw Mill Club has been fully committed from day one to addressing quickly and rectifying any shortcomings noted in the report,” Kane said. “We’ve taken proactive steps to go beyond basic compliance and strengthen the overall safety and supervision of our aquatics program.”