A few years back, I managed 10 pools for a Lifeguarding company.
This also meant that I was managing a staff of 20-30 Highschool student Lifeguards.
I was constantly having to "cover" for these kids... But there was a guard shortage, so I couldnt replace them very well..
I had 1 location that had 2 pools. Only 1 was open durring the week, and the second opened over the weekend for overflow...
The guard at the full time pool was supposed to check the Chem levels of the part-time pool EVERY day so that it was in servicable condition by the weekend.
I get a call Friday morning... The pool is Green!
I head out there... Green water with floating alge, 0 Chlorine and a PH WAY out of whack...
Thank goodness I had the "instinctive pool chemestry trait" (2 Skill Points at Level 5) I used granular chlorine, followed by Muriatic acid (To lower PH) to get that pool blue and safe-to-swim by Friday afternoon
Obviously, the guard hadn't lookeed into that pool...
Later that summer I got a call from another guard, the pump was "making a weird noise"
After getting over the shock that this guard was ACTUALY THERE (she had attendance issues) I arrive and go to the Pump room...
In there I heard a definate "WIRR WIRR ping WIRR WIRR"
I was puzzled, and then noticed the source of the "ping"
The metal needle on the preasure gague was banging against the max-pin OVER AND OVER (this is bad)
I quickly scan the pipes and valves....
Intake open
Backwash closed
Return closed
Water was bieng forced in and couldn't get out...
<creak><BOOM>
The back of the Highrate Sand Filter Splits open and water and sand slam into me like a Firehose (Imagine getting hit head on with a firehose and sandblaster combined)
I slam the massive frankenstine style power switch off and survey the destruction (this is an older hotel and got Grandfathered on some Building codes I guess)
I see the water rushing under a metal door on the far side of the pump room... That door has a lable
ELECTRICAL CLOSET
I jump up on the steps out of ankle deep water in time to hear a POP and see the light in the room go out.
I walk back around to the pool
Guard: "look! The water just went down in the pool! And there is all this sand comming out of the returns! OMG What happened to YOU!?"
The front of me is covered with orange sand, micro abrasions and water...
ME: "Pools closed, go home"
Guard: "Uh, ok, will it be open tomorrow"
Me: "Doubtfull"
Guard: "ok so, will you call me when it opens?"
Me: "No, you can pick up your last check or we will mail it to you, I need to go tell the Hotel management why they have no pool and no power in their east wing... They wont want to see you when I finish, I'll lock up, you better go home now. "
Only person I have ever fired