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. neck injury, rescue process, provision of CPR and
first aid) and incorporate the advice from local authorities, for example, location of automated external defibrillator (AED), position and location of lifeguard.
Adult supervisors must have:
- emergency contact details of all participants
- a medical alert list and a process for administering student medication
- communication equipment suitable to conditions (e.g. mobile phone) and a process for obtaining external assistance and/or receiving emergency advice
- a working emergency signal (e.g. whistle, air horn).
Safety procedures must be determined for the location (e.g. emergency signals and their meaning) and incorporate advice from
Rowing Australia's on-water safety code and guidelines (PDF, 137KB) as appropriate and 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. overboard participant), safety procedures (e.g.
manual handling techniques for carrying boats, accounting for all participants, righting swamped or overturned craft) and correct techniques. 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. stroke, correct posture) 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.
If planning a regatta, contact
Rowing Queensland and
Maritime Safety Queensland for aquatic events permit information.
Supervision
Principals in consultation with the qualified adults, make final supervision decisions for the activity. Sufficient adult supervision must be provided to manage the activity safely (including emergency situations) 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
Rowing Australia's on-water safety code and guidelines (PDF, 137KB) for support when supervision planning.
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.
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 ensure all students on the water are in sight of, and in close proximity to, at least 1 adult supervisor at all times
- 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
Rowing Australia's on-water safety code and guidelines (PDF, 137KB), 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.
Minimum standards for supervising students
- 2 x qualified adults including 1 x adult supervisor available at 'base' for emergencies + 1 additional qualified adult in each coaching craft (e.g. 3 rowing shells = 5 qualified adults)
-
At least 1 adult is required to have current recovery/emergency competence and be quickly accessible to the activity area, be easily identifiable, and carry a device (e.g. whistle) to raise an alarm using agreed-on signals. Current recovery/emergency competence may be held by any qualified adult as part of a broader qualification (e.g.
Level 1 coaching accreditation).
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
At least 1 adult supervisor is required to have
current knowledge, judgement, technique and physical ability to carry out safe water rescues and enact an emergency procedure. Recovery/emergency ability includes a current qualification or skillset (e.g. Inland Open Water Lifeguard, Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation) with the following units of competency.
Supervisors must have CPR and first aid qualifications relevant to the activity. Emergency qualifications may include:
At least 1 adult supervisor is either:
- a registered teacher with qualifications in Health and Physical Education (HPE) (or equivalent demonstrated capability) and with competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching rowing
- an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with current
Level 1 coaching accreditation from Rowing Australia.
All adult supervisors in coaching craft must meet all of the below criteria:
- hold a
valid marine licence
- have demonstrated capacity to conduct an appropriate rescue plan. This may be demonstrated by undertaking a rescue exercise at the aquatic location (or a similar environment) including using appropriate rescue aids (e.g. life jacket).
Maritime-related enquiries should be directed to the nearest
Maritime Safety Queensland regional office.
*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.
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.
A working emergency signal (e.g. whistle, air horn) must be available.
All craft must comply with
Maritime Safety Queensland requirements.
Rowing shell must have:
- a white ball of not less than 4cm diameter made of rubber or material of similar consistency on its bow, unless the construction or nature of the boat is such that the bow is properly protected or its shape does not represent a hazard
- heel restraints to allow ‘hands-free' release of feet 'quick release' mechanisms that are in effective working order in all boats equipped with fitted shoes lights as required by maritime law (see section below).
Coach/safety boats are to:
- be equipped with safety equipment in accordance with the local rules of the waterway and on-water code of conduct as well as such emergency items (e.g. medical kit, spare lights—for coach/safety boat and rowing boats, thermal blanket and hand pump).
- provide for easy entry from the water (e.g. step, ladder, or handhold). Where motors are equipped with a kill switch, the kill switch must be attached to the operator.
All craft to be regularly serviced, including coach/safety boat engines, with well-maintained equipment (e.g. quick-release mechanisms in working order).
Club vehicles and trailers to be regularly serviced and to comply with local road regulations. Where loads overhang past the back of the trailer a brightly coloured warning marker/flag of at least 300mm2 to be attached at the farthest point from the trailer. If used at night, a red light visible to at least 200m must be fitted.
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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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 for first aid and hygienic practices.
Identify appropriate swimming continence aids for students unable to manage their bodily functions
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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.
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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Debris
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Assess the location for floating debris before each session
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Environmental conditions
Weather, sun, humidity, wind |
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.
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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Water contamination
Parasites, water borne diseases, chemical run off, algal blooms
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Check with the local authority for the presence of known water contaminants (e.g. effluent) or other marine hazards 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 to ensure safe participation and that safety rules and procedures can be followed. Undertake a reconnaissance of new or infrequently used venues to ascertain suitability
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Entry/exit points |
Establish appropriate entry and exit points at the water's edge.
Provide emergency vehicle access to a point on the waterway
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Manual handling
Lifting and carrying equipment |
Use appropriate equipment to lift heavy boats or materials (e.g. use of ramps).
Use correct
manual handling processes when lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying
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Vehicles |
Watch for vehicles when loading rowing boats |
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Vessels |
If present, continually assess threat of vessels
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Falling equipment |
Tie down and store equipment correctly to prevent injury (e.g. when loading/unloading)
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| Student considerations |
Control measures |
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Injury
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Students aware of the location of emergency and first-aid equipment
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Physical exertion
Exhaustion, heat/cold stress |
Conduct warm-up/cool-down activities.
Continually monitor participants for signs of fatigue and exhaustion.
Allow all students periods of rest from repetitive rowing. This may be resting/floating on the water or landing.
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 |
Ensure all students in the water are in sight of at least 1 qualified adult supervisor at all times.
At no time, should students be relied upon to recover a swimmer in difficulty.
Implement procedures (e.g. buddy system, roll marking mechanisms) to account for all participants.
Keep non-participants away from the water and do not cause a distraction.
Monitor shared facilities (e.g. change rooms, public access areas)
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Swimming attire
Visibility, fabrics
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All adult 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 reflective and highly visible and does not cause a hazard (i.e. not too loose or heavy).
Each student must provide their own towel.
Remove accessories (e.g. jewellery, lanyards) before participating
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Visibility |
Strongly encourage students to have high-visibility reflective attire.
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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