Swimming Training

The following apply to coaching and training sessions for competitive swimmers four forms of programs conducted by schools as a school activity; or by a school swimming club.

As part of the process of safety self-regulation, all persons engaging in this activity should identify the hazards, assess their significance and manage the potential risks including any additional hazards not mentioned here

Hazards in swimming relate mainly to the aquatic environment and the ability of the students to cope with that environment. Different conditions exist at each location, especially non-pool venues, and these conditions may dictate additional safety requirements.

The categorisation of these conditions is subjective and offered as a starting point for risk management planning. The actual degree of risk is best ascertained by persons with intimate local knowledge present at the site of the activity.

Participation in swimming involves medium risk (level 2).

At least two adults should be present, except in the situation outlined below.

One of the adults should have the ability to:

• implement safety procedures
• effect a recovery of a student from the water at the teaching venue
• perform first aid
• perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Provided that students have been trained to respond correctly in an emergency in Years 8-12, one teacher may be sufficient to fulfil both recovery and supervision roles required of an emergency procedures at all water venues.
Their correct response should include clearing the water and providing adequate assistance, such as going for adult help, summoning an ambulance and/or acting in a support role in resuscitation, if necessary.

The qualifications listed in this section are minimums for each type of situation. Leaders are encouraged to seek training to raise their qualification level above the minimum listed.

For a school activity, the leader should be:

• a registered teacher with:
  • experience (previous involvement) in the teaching of swimming
  • experience (previous involvement) in the implementation of safety procedures
• where no teacher with these qualifications is available, a coach approved by the Principal

For a swimming club activity, Principals should ensure that swimming coaches

• are at least 18 years of age and
• possess the Level 1 Swimming Certificate of the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme
• the Certificate of the Australian Council for the Teaching of Swimming and Water Safety (Austswim)
• equivalent qualifications, as determined by the Department of Education

An appropriate communication system should be installed so that in an emergency, an ambulance can be summoned without delay.

A first aid kit should be available at all venues.

Flotation aids and reaching aids should be readily available at several locations within the venue. Reaching aids may include light poles or ropes with a float attached.

The teacher or leader should ensure that the program includes:

• modified activities that match the skill and fitness levels of students (age and ability levels of the students and the degree of difficulty of the activities should be considered)
• suitable warm-up activities and stretching activities at the commencement of lessons
• progressive and sequential skill development

Lengthy and fatiguing training sessions prejudicial to a student's health and welfare should be avoided.

Adequate supervision should be provided as follows:

• All students at the venue should be under supervision at all times
• For a regular-sized class in Years 1-7, the teacher or leader should be accompanied by at least one adult
• Where grouping is used to provide for a wide range of abilities, it is recommended that there be one adult per group
• The teacher or leader should be accompanied by at least one adult if a regular-sized class in Years 8-12 includes non-swimmers

The water depth should be adequate for the activity.

A pontoon, boat or float should be in the water in close proximity to students in open waterways; and

The bottom should be firm enough for a swimmer to push off to gain the surface with ease in deep water.

Orderly behaviour is essential.

Underwater swimming should be restricted to short-duration activities under close supervision.

Students should not enter the water until instructed to do so by the teacher or leader.

Prevailing weather conditions should be considered. If weather conditions are unsuitable, the activity should be curtailed and appropriate shelter should be sought.

Safety checks, (e.g. a buddy system or roll checks), should be built into lesson procedures.

Where close supervision is necessary, the number of students in the water at any one time should be limited.

The teacher or leader should develop a clearly defined emergency procedure.

Risk assessments should be undertaken by the teacher/leader of swimming lessons or swimming carnivals as to the appropriateness of allowing swimmers to dive into the pool from a flat or elevated (blocks) position.

Consideration should be given to individual stature, diving competence and depth of water.

Special consideration should be given to the situation during swimming carnivals when relay swimmers enter the shallow end of the pool.

Teaching aids should be stored separately from chemical stores and plant rooms.

Chemicals and machinery should be kept in locked areas away from student access.

School pool gates must be kept locked when the pool is not in use.

Stinger suits should be worn in coastal estuaries or associated sea waters Bustard Head north to Cape York and all the coastline of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

• Learn to Swim
• Swim Training
• Recreational Swimming
• HLS-PR-013: Developing a Sun Safety Strategy
• HLS-PR-005: Injury, Illness and Dangerous Event Recording and Reporting
• HLS-PR-003: First Aid for Schools and Non-school Locations