Schools must consider age, maturity and skill level of students when planning curriculum activities. Ensure participants' current level of confidence and skills in the water have been tested. Consult the sequence of competency found in the
water safety and swimming education program for guidance at each year/band level.
Adjustments are required for
students with disability to support access and participation in the curriculum. Consult with the parents/carers of students with disability or, when appropriate, the student to ensure risks related to their child's participation in the activity are identified and managed.
Schools must consult current student medical information and/or health plans in accordance with the
managing students' health support needs at school procedure. Record information about any student condition (e.g. physical or medical, such as
epilepsy) that may inhibit safe engagement in the activity and include specific support measures within emergency procedures.
For activities with students with a medical condition or disability that may impact on safety during the activity, consultation with parents is required prior to allocating supervision to determine the impact of students' medical condition or disability on safety during the activity.
For participants with known allergies, schools must comply with the
supporting students with asthma and/or at risk of anaphylaxis at school procedure and the school's
anaphylaxis risk management plan (DOCX, 159KB), including an adult supervisor of the activity with
anaphylaxis training.
Emergency plans and injury management procedures must be established for foreseeable incidents (e.g. separation from group, using rescue equipment) and incorporate the advice from local authorities (e.g. access in emergency situation).
Adult supervisors must have:
- emergency contact details of all participants
- a medical alert list and a process for administering student medication
- communication equipment in weatherproof containers suitable to conditions (e.g. 2-way radio, VHF marine radio, mobile phone) and a process for obtaining external assistance and/or receiving emergency advice. Note that battery life can be impacted by weather conditions
- recovery/rescue equipment suitable to the location—for example, whistle, suitable means of cutting rope, appropriate releasable means of towing paddle craft, emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), flares
- an appointed emergency contact (e.g. the principal,
local volunteer marine rescue service ) who is provided with a route card listing activity details (outline of the route to be followed, the number and names of the party, the estimated time of departure/arrival)
- emergency shelter/protection locations and alternative routes that consider foreseeable emergencies (e.g. injury, bushfire, thunderstorm, extreme temperature, tides).
Safety procedures must be determined for the location (e.g. righting a capsized craft, marine navigation requirements) and are to be informed by information provided as manufacturer's instructions, product labels, vendor safety data sheets (SDS) and standard operating procedures (SOP) as relevant and incorporate advice from off-site facility, if relevant.
Access is required to
first aid equipment and consumables suitable for foreseeable incidents.
Induction is required for all adult supervisors on emergency procedures (e.g. separation from the group, provision of
first aid) and safety procedures (e.g.
collision regulations,
Maritime Safety Queensland requirements). If the activity is conducted at an off-site facility, induction is to be informed by advice provided in consultation with expertise at the venue.
Instruction is required for students and adult supervisors on correct techniques (e.g. craft handling, righting a capsized craft, marine navigation requirements) to ensure preliminary water safety knowledge and learning prior to entering the water. Rule-reminders are to be provided throughout the activity.
Parent consent (DOCX, 309KB) is required for all activities conducted
off-site and all
extreme risk level activities conducted onsite. It is
strongly recommended that parent consent is obtained for
high risk level activities conducted on-site.
Supervision
Principals, in consultation with the qualified adults, make final supervision decisions for the activity that considers the local context.
Appropriate adult supervision must be provided to manage the activity safely (i.e. prevent an incident from occurring and manage an incident if one were to occur, including managing emergency situations). At no time should students be relied upon to recover a person in difficulty. The principal must give active consideration to the minimum standards set in the CARA guideline for the activity, the CARA planner and the risk assessment when determining the appropriate level of supervision.
See
number of adult supervisors below.
Prepare a supervision plan to prevent drowning that considers the advice provided in this CARA guideline. Consider
Australian Adventure Activity Standard,
inland water paddle-craft good practice guide (PDF, 737KB), and
Paddle Australia safety guidelines for support when supervision planning.
Where a lifeguard service is available, schools are to collaborate with the lifeguard on the contents of the CARA record prior to the activity for advice and to address any queries they may have.
Note: The presence of a lifeguard service does not absolve the school of any supervision requirements unless secured for the sole purpose of the activity.
Participants must adhere to all rules and advice communicated by the local lifeguard service, facility operator/owner and any safety signage at the facility/location.
Before the activity, all adult supervisors:
- must be familiar with the contents of the CARA record, including the emergency and supervision plans.
- must assess
weather conditions and obtain accurate information on
tides, depths, currents and other expected water conditions (e.g. wind direction) prior to undertaking the activity, inspecting the intended location in order to identify variable risks, hazards and potential dangers. Consult
inland water paddle-craft good practice guide (PDF, 737KB)—5.2 Weather trigger points. Cease the activity if conditions become unfavourable or visibility is poor.
During the activity, all adult supervisors:
- must provide active and direct supervision—be constantly vigilant, attentive and rescue ready
- must comply with control measures from the CARA record and adapt as hazards arise
- must
not rely on students to recover a person in difficulty at any time.
The activity must be suspended if the conditions become unfavourable (e.g. poor visibility, extreme temperatures, thunderstorms).
Number of adult supervisors
Principals, in consultation with the qualified adults of the activity, determine the final number of supervisors to fulfil instructional, emergency and supervision roles for the local context that consider
inland water paddle-craft good practice guide (PDF, 737KB), and
Paddle Australia safety guidelines the nature of the activity, students' ages, abilities and specialised learning, access and/or health needs. In some instances, the final supervision ratio may be 1:1.
To support decisions about the number of qualified adults required for the activity, confirmation of student water safety and swimming ability is required prior to participation.
See
FAQs for further support.
The process is determined by the school and must consider the specific aquatic environments in which the activity will take place. Consult the sequence of competency
water safety and swimming education program for support in determining age-appropriate suitability and consider student self-rescue skills in the specific aquatic environment.
Considerations when determining the supervision ratio and group size must include:
- the type of water body being paddled
- water body conditions
- access and egress conditions
- weather conditions
- visibility
- ability of participants to reliably self-rescue or assisted rescue
- the duration of the activity
- participant swimming ability
- the size and design of the paddle-craft
- the number of participants in each paddle-craft
- the suitability of the paddle-craft for the type of activity and environment
- the suitability of the paddle-craft for the participants.
One adult supervisor is required to either canoe/kayak with the learners or travel in a powered vessel in close proximity to the learners under instruction. If using a power boat, the adult supervisor operating the power boat must have all of the below:
Minimum standards for supervising students in the water
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Confined body of inland water (e.g. dam)
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Min. 1 qualified guide/instructor |
Up to 8 craft* (8 participants) per guide/instructor
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Up to 6 craft* (12 participants) per guide/instructor
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Max. 6 craft* (up to 12 participants) per guide/instructor
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Inland water that is not white water
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Min. 1 qualified guide/instructor |
Up to 6 craft* (6 participants) per guide/instructor
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Up to 4 craft* (8 participants) per guide/instructor
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Max. 4 craft* (12 participants) per guide/instructor
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Grade 1 water
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Min. 1 qualified guide/instructor
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Up to 4 craft* (4 participants) per guide/instructor
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Up to 4 craft* (8 participants) per guide/instructor
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1 qualified instructor: Up to 2 craft (6 participants) 2 or more qualified instructors: Up to 4 craft (8 Participants) per guide/instructor |
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Grade 2 water
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Min. 2 qualified guides/instructors |
Up to 4 craft* (4 participants) per guide/instructor
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Up to 4 craft* (8 participants) per guide/instructor
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Not recommended |
*excludes guide/instructor craft
If the minimum safety standard cannot be met, modify the activity (or elements of it) and use the
hierarchy of controls to implement alternative control measures to meet or exceed the minimum safety standard (e.g. reduce the number of students participating at any one time).
See
frequently asked questions (FAQs) for further support.
Supervisor qualifications
Qualifications support the minimum safety standard for this activity. Principals make final decisions* in determining supervisor capability (competence, relevance and currency) and whether the activity leader meets an appropriate teaching standard.
*See
FAQs for further support.
Support for decision-making is provided by industry standards, for example,
inland water paddle-craft good practice guide (PDF, 737KB),
Paddle Australia—safety guidelines.
All adult supervisors must comply with the
working with children authority—blue cards procedure.
Qualified adults for the activity
Recovery/emergency—CPR, first aid, rescue
Adults at the venue, including registered teachers, engaged for recovery/emergency are to have
current knowledge, judgement, technique and physical ability to carry out safe water rescues and enact an emergency procedure.
Supervisors must have CPR and first aid qualifications relevant to the activity. Emergency qualifications may include:
An adult with concussion management knowledge or training is recommended. Consult
concussion in sport resources.
High risk activities
At least 1 adult supervisor is either:
Extreme risk activities
At least 1 adult supervisor is either:
- a registered teacher with competence (knowledge and skills) and experience in kayaking and canoeing (inland water) and the potential hazards and with
Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership or
Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation, similar or higher, including specialisations in appropriate kayaking and canoeing activities
- an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher with
Certificate IV or
Diploma in Outdoor Leadership or similar, with specialisations in relevant kayaking and canoeing (inland water) units.
Refer to the competencies outlined in the
inland water paddle-craft good practice guide (PDF, 737KB) for guidance.
See
FAQs for further support.
Facilities and equipment
The qualified adult supervisor of the activity, in consultation with the principal, determines the requirements for facilities and equipment appropriate to the local context.
Paddle craft must be capable of being towed by rope and grasped by hand.
Sea-worthy craft and paddles suitable for the activity and water grade as outlined in Section 6.1.3 of
inland water paddle-craft good practice guide (PDF, 737KB).
One or more spare paddles suitable for the activity must be carried by the adult supervisor.
Paddles to be appropriate to the type of craft and environment in which they are being used and appropriate length and size for participants.
Equipment must be sized to match the ability and strength of students.
Lifejackets suitable to the location that comply with Australian Standards for PFD Level 50 or PFD Level 50S (previously known as PFD Type 2 and PFD Type 3) that are brightly coloured and are the correct size for the wearer and adjusted correctly must be worn at all times while on the water. Inflatable lifejacket designs (i.e. automatic or manual inflating lifejackets) should NOT be used with paddle craft.
A whistle attached to the buoyancy aid for emergency use is recommended to enable a person to attract attention.
Participants must wear secured and correctly fitted helmets that comply with CE EN 1385:2012 for the duration of the activity when on moving water, where during the activity obstructions could impact the head (e.g. paddling among rocks, during rescue practice and when playing on-water games, for example, kayak polo, tag games, where movement outside of the craft occurs on very slippery surfaces). Refer to the
Paddle Australia safety guidelines for helmet specifications.
Prescription spectacles and sunglasses, if worn, secured with a suitable restraint.
Safety, rescue and repair equipment suitable for the activity that conforms to
Paddle Australia safety guidelines must be available that is quickly and easily accessible to include (but not limited to):
- a whistle appropriate for water environments
- a suitable means of cutting rope
- throw-bags for Grade 1 or above waterways or rapids
- a releasable means of towing a paddle-craft
- carabiners, pulleys and slings
- static low stretch rope of appropriate length for the river width or environment.
Access to waterways must be available for emergency vehicles and vessels.
Equipment correctly waterproofed and stowed securely in the craft.
Ensure that no single navigation system to be relied upon. Where an electronic system (e.g. GPS) is used, have spare batteries and another position-fixing method available.
Shade, water and food must be available.
All equipment must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Establish and employ a process for checking for damage for all equipment used in the activity.
A retirement schedule must be developed to replace plant and equipment by manufacturers' nominated expiry date or when significant wear causes a hazard.
Common hazards and controls
Further to those listed, include any additional hazards and control measures considering the local context of the activity.
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Animal bites/diseases
Stings, poisoning, infection
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Adhere to established practices regarding the use of insect repellent, outlined in
insect viruses and allergies
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Biological hazards
Body fluids (e.g. blood, bowel motions)
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Manage open wounds before, during and after the activity. Consult
infection control guidelines and Queensland Health's
exclusion periods for infectious conditions poster (PDF, 1.4MB) for first aid and hygienic practices |
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Dangerous marine life
(e.g. crocodiles, sharks, stonefish, marine stingers, sea snakes, blue-ringed octopus, cone shells, cyanobacteria, coral—scrapes)
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Check with the local authority (e.g. local government) for the presence of known water contaminants (e.g. blue-green algae) or other marine hazards (e.g. stonefish) at the location.
Look for and obey warnings and/or safety signs.
Follow
Queensland Government dangerous marine life and
Surf Life Saving Queensland marine stinger safety advice.
Marine organisms are not to be handled and contact is to be avoided.
Continually assess threat of dangerous marine life. Immediately move the participants to a safe location if dangerous marine life is detected or suspected.
Ensure stinger suits and/or footwear is worn in the water when appropriate (e.g. enclosed footwear with thick soles when swimming in creeks or estuaries where dangers such as stonefish may be present)
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Environmental conditions
Weather, surrounds
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Assess
weather conditions prior to undertaking the activity, inspecting the intended location in order to identify variable risks, hazards and potential dangers.
Follow the
school's sun safety policy, including appropriate swimwear (e.g. swim shirts), sun protection (e.g. sunscreen) and shade facilities when outside.
Follow the
managing excessive heat in schools guidelines when participating in very hot or extreme heat conditions.
Participants to remain aware of their position in the training area, distance from shore, the depth of the water and other obstacles.
Adult supervisors negotiate areas of moving water immediately before students.
Crafts to negotiate rapids 1 at a time
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Water contamination
Parasites, water borne diseases, chemical run off, algal blooms
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Check with the local authority (e.g. local government) for the presence of known water contaminants (e.g. effluent, blue-green algae) or other marine hazards (e.g. stonefish) at the location
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Water temperature
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Manage cooler water temperatures with additional control measures (e.g. shorter in-water time, wetsuits etc.). Note: Sudden temperature changes may trigger
seizures
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| Facilities and equipment hazards |
Control measures |
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Activity location
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Location must be suitable for the activity being undertaken. Undertake a reconnaissance of new or infrequently used locations to ascertain suitability. Undertake a reconnaissance of new or infrequently used venues to ascertain suitability.
Assess suitability of surrounds and reach of water when selecting a location. Consider local water conditions and foreseeable hazards such as:
- tidal flow, currents and turbulence
- use by other watercraft and traffic patterns
- water temperature, depth and visibility
- underwater hazards (e.g. rocks and rapids, turbulence from a waterfall)
- dangerous marine life
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Manual handling
Lifting equipment |
Use correct
manual handling processes when lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying. Instruct students to straighten backs and bend knees when lifting canoes/kayaks.
Ensure a minimum of 4 participants carry a canoe/kayak
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Vehicles/vessels |
Continually assess threat of vehicles or vessels (e.g. other water craft when paddling and when entering or leaving the water) and vehicles when loading/unloading canoes/kayaks
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| Student considerations |
Control measures |
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Clothing
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All supervisors are to be readily identifiable and be appropriately dressed to perform an immediate rescue at all times.
Participants must wear
personal protective equipment appropriate to the conditions to protect against sun, wind, rain, cold (e.g. hats, wetsuits, stinger protective swimwear, thermal wear, fleece, enclosed footwear). Adhere to the Surf Life Saving Queensland
marine stinger risk management guidelines, if appropriate
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Injury |
Participants to work far enough apart that they are not struck by paddles.
Students aware of the location of emergency and first-aid equipment
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Physical exertion
Exhaustion, heat/cold stress |
Conduct appropriate lead-up activities.
Continually monitor students for signs of distress (e.g. fatigue, exhaustion, illness, hunger, dehydration, hypothermia, difficulty breathing and hyperventilation).
Allow all students periods of rest from repetitive paddling (this may be resting/floating on the water, not necessarily landing).
Adopt system of signals to clearly communicate the need for assistance if in difficulty.
Ensure drink breaks occur regularly. Make water available for individual participants between drink breaks
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Student issues |
Ensure all students in the water are in sight of at least 1 qualified adult supervisor at all times.
Instruct participants to call or signal for assistance if a problem cannot be rectified immediately.
Implement procedures (e.g. buddy system, roll marking mechanisms) to account for all participants before, during and after the activity
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Visibility |
Have students wear easily identifiable clothing (e.g. high visibility rash vest).
Ensure staff can easily recognise those students with health support needs (in and out of the water) and are familiar with their needs
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Additional links