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. onboard fire, rescue of a person overboard, capsizing, sinking, running aground, separation from the group) and incorporate the advice from local authorities (e.g. marine rescue processes).
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. marine VHF 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, emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)
- an appointed emergency contact (e.g. the principal,
local volunteer marine rescue service ) who is provided activity details (the location, 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. safety regulations conforming to current
Maritime Safety Queensland requirements, signalling for assistance, process to rapidly communicate emergency advice to adult supervisors of impending severe events) and incorporate advice from local authorities, as appropriate.
Access is required to first aid equipment (e.g. heat pack, ice pack, vinegar) and consumables suitable for foreseeable incidents. Consult
National Standard for Commercial Vessels C7A and
safety equipment for boats in Queensland for further information.
Ready access is required to rescue equipment (e.g. working emergency signal such as whistle or air horn,
flares).
Induction is required for all adult supervisors on emergency procedures (e.g. rescue of a person overboard, basic survival techniques), safety procedures (e.g. signalling for assistance,
collision regulations,
Maritime Safety Queensland requirements, vessel handling, communications). 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 on safety procedures and correct techniques (e.g. safety harness use, craft handling, 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. Consult the
operating standards and guidelines for Australian sailing for guidance on participant to supervisor ratios.
See
number of adult supervisors below.
Prepare a supervision plan to prevent drowning that considers the advice provided in this CARA guideline. Consider
Maritime Safety Queensland requirements 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.
Before the activity, all adult supervisors:
- must be familiar with the contents of the CARA record, including the emergency and supervision plans.
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 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
frequently asked questions (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.
At least 1 adult supervisor must be able to:
- recover a student from the water
- be able to take control of the vessel if required
- operate signalling devices needed in a duress situation, including marine radio and
flares.
For schools that own and operate their own vessels:
- consult Section 18A of the
Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 and Notification of Exemption in
Queensland Government Gazette 23 June 2017 (PDF, 3.2MB) and consider the additional conditions when determining whether the adult supervisor is required to travel in the vessel with students.
- the ship must not be used for the conduct of a BoatSafe course
- students or unlicensed trainees must not operate the ship as its master unless all of the below apply
- the ship is 4.5 metres or less in length
- the ship is powered by an engine of less than 15kW
- the ship is operating within smooth waters
- the school student or unlicensed trainee is under the direct supervision of a teacher or trainer who is in another ship nearby
- the teacher or trainer, who is directly supervising the school student or unlicensed trainee, holds a Queensland recreational marine driver licence or an equivalent licence issued under the law of another Australian State.
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
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.
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, 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.
At least 1 adult supervisor who holds a
recreational marine driver licence must travel in the vessel with the student/s under instruction, providing direct and immediate supervision to students operating vessels.
A second adult supervisor must act as a
lookout. The
lookout must watch for approaching vessels, dangerous marine life and students in difficulty.
At least 1 adult supervisor is either:
- a registered teacher with demonstrated ability to undertake instruction and coaching in sailing who holds a
recreational marine driver licence
- a registered
BoatSafe trainer, working under the direct supervision of a register teacher
Medium risk activities
In addition to the above, at least 1 adult supervisor is either:
High risk activities
In addition to the above, at least 1 adult supervisor is either:
Extreme risk activities
In addition to the above, at least 1 adult supervisor is either:
See
FAQs for further support.
Maritime-related enquiries should be directed to the nearest
Maritime Safety Queensland regional office.
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.
A seaworthy vessel/s suitable for the activity (e.g. hygiene facilities, accommodation if required) must be used.
Vessel must have a fixed
Australian Builders Plate (capacity, capability and limitations of the vessel).
Ensure there is some means of reefing the sails when strong winds are likely to affect the activity. Note: Reefing may be undertaken by removing one or more sails from the standard working set of the large craft. Smaller sets of sails may be used as an alternative to reefing.
Life jackets that comply with Australian standards for level 50 (smooth and partially smooth waters), 100, 150, 275 (beyond partially smooth waters) that are brightly coloured, are the correct size for the wearer and adjusted correctly must be worn at all times while on the water.
Equipment must have Australian Standard certification and comply with the requirements of that schedule (e.g. life jackets, safety harnesses, sailboats).
Safety harnesses, if used, must be able to be released by the students in any situation, as per Australian Standards.
Prescription spectacles and sunglasses, if worn, to be secured with a suitable restraint.
Minimum safety equipment appropriate to the activity as per
safety equipment for boats in Queensland must be available.
Ensure no single navigation system is relied upon. Where an electronic system (e.g. GPS) is used, have spare batteries and another position-fixing method available (e.g. chart and compass).
Ensure adequate fuel, drinking water, food and shade is available for the duration of the activity.
Equipment correctly waterproofed and stowed securely in the vessel.
Equipment must be sized to match the ability and strength of students.
Follow appropriate procedures for the use of incendiary devices, such as flares.
Private craft must have a signed
Queensland special regulations equipment audit form relevant to the craft type and conditions.
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.
Dangerous marine life
(e.g. crocodiles, sharks, stonefish, marine stingers, sea snakes, blue-ringed octopus, cone shells, cyanobacteria, coral—scrapes) |
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.
Adhere to established practices regarding the use of insect repellent, outlined in
insect viruses and allergies
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Environmental conditions
Weather, surrounds |
Assess
weather conditions prior to undertaking the activity, inspecting the intended location in order to identify variable risks, hazards and potential dangers.
Obtain accurate information on
tides, depths, currents and other expected water conditions (e.g. wind direction, wave and swell heights) prior to undertaking the activity.
Follow the
school's sun safety policy, including appropriate clothing, 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.
Continuously monitor conditions for emerging rips, strong currents, turbulence and under tows. Cease activities when environmental warnings have been issued (e.g. local government or lifeguard warning)
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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 to ensure safe participation and that safety rules and procedures can be followed. Undertake a reconnaissance of new or infrequently used locations 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. debris, coral, rocks)
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Vehicles and vessels |
Continually assess threat of vehicles or other vessels (e.g. other water craft).
Access to waterways for emergency vehicles and vessels must be available
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Chemicals |
If vessel/s has a motor, refuel the vessel/s safely (e.g. all occupants to disembark prior to refuelling, switch off engines, maintain contact between hose nozzle and fixed pipe to prevent static sparks, ensure no smell of fuel from bilges).
Do not allow students to refuel vessels
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Manual handling
Lifting equipment |
Use correct
manual handling processes when lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying |
| 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.
Students wear fit-for-purpose attire that is highly visible
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Injury |
Students aware of the location of emergency and first-aid equipment
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Physical exertion
Exhaustion and fatigue |
Continually monitor students for signs of distress (e.g. fatigue, exhaustion, illness, hunger, dehydration, hypothermia, difficulty breathing and hyperventilation).
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
Student numbers, special needs, high risk behaviours, medical conditions, separation from the group
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Develop a procedure for students who may develop sea sickness.
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.
Remove accessories (e.g. jewellery, lanyards) before participating.
Ensure fingernails and hair do not pose a hazard.
Ensure that all participants work far enough apart that they are not struck by falling masts and to be aware of the boom at all times
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Visibility |
Strongly encourage students to 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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