About Us

Founded by Dr. Tom Griffiths of Penn State University, Aquatic Safety Research Group provides innovative water safety and risk management programs and services to a wide range of clients througout the United States and internationally.

Dr. Tom Griffiths not only brings decades of pool and beach experience to each training program, but his experiences as an expert witness bring reality to his unique approach to aquatic risk management.

Griffiths, who started his career in aquatics picking up ice cream wrappers at a natural waterpark in New Jersey, is the author of several books, including The Complete Swimming Pool Reference and Better Beaches. Recognized around the world for developing the Five Minute Scanning Strategy, now used by lifeguard agencies to reduce fatigue and improve attentiveness, Griffiths also designed Griff’s Guard Stations, available through Paragon Aquatics, and a surprising DVD, entitled Disappearing Dummies, which helps demonstrate to lifeguards the phenomena that occur once a person submerges beneath the surface of the water.

Griffiths' textbook, The Complete Swimming Pool Reference, 2nd ed., is widely used to train swimming pool and spa operators in the safe and efficient management of their facilities. This text serves as the foundation for Aquatic Safety Research Group's two certification programs for swimming pool operators. Practical Pool Management Plus (PPM+) is a two-day workshop, which provides pool operators the opportunity to become certified in order to meet state training requirements. Certification, provided by Aquatic Safety Research Group, LLC, has been deemed equivalent to the National Swimming Pool Foundation's Certified Pool Operator course as well as the National Recreation and Park Association's Aquatic Facility Operator course. The one-day Practical Pool Management (PPM) course also provides the opportunity for pool operators to become certified and is an excellent training program for states, which do not clearly define the level of training needed by a pool operator.

Dr. Griffiths is well known for his practical approach to managing risk at aquatic facilities. After years of experience in aquatic facility management and renowned as an expert in the field, Dr. Griffiths along with fellow water safety expert and attorney Shawn DeRosa (of DeRosa Aquatic Consulting) have developed a one-day workshop specifically focusing on aquatic risk management. The A.R.M. Series of workshops targets three distinct markets (Public Pools and Waterparks, Hotel/Motel Pools, and Beaches) with industry-specific information on managing risks in each of these environments. No other program that we know provides this depth of coverage or this level of training.

In addition to maintaining our recently renovated website, Rachel maintains impressive researching, writing and speaking skills.  She is also a member of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance.  Rachel is the newsletter editor for the Penn State Alumni Association, Los Angeles Chapter.

While on the Aquatic Safety Team, Rachel plans on focusing on the promotion of the National Note and Float Campaign, released by the Aquatic Safety Research Group in 2009 and hopes to oversee the installation of Clarion’s Water Safety Signage Programs at aquatic facilities on the West Coast.  Rachel’s work experience includes Entertainment Tonight, National Geographic Channel, Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, as well as Summer Discovery on the UCLA campus.  Rachel has extensive international travel experience and her hobbies include reading, writing, jogging and swimming.  She hopes to master surfing soon.  She can be reached directly at: RachelGriffiths@AquaticSafetyGroup.com