Student suitability for this activity is determined in collaboration with the qualified triathlon supervisor.
Schools must consider age, maturity and skill level of students when planning curriculum activities. Adjustments are required for
students with disability to support access and participation in the curriculum. 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 in collaboration with the triathlon supervisor for foreseeable incidents (e.g. raising alarm, 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:
- have emergency contact details of all participants
- have a medical alert list and a process for administering student medication
- have communication equipment suitable to conditions (e.g. mobile phone in a waterproof container, air horn) and a process for obtaining external assistance and/or receiving emergency advice
- be regularly spaced along the course.
Safety procedures must be determined for the location in collaboration with the triathlon supervisor (e.g. monitoring the swim leg and transitions, equipment check) and incorporate advice from local authorities and off-site facility, if relevant.
Access is required to
first aid equipment and consumables suitable to the activity for foreseeable incidents.
Induction is required for all adult supervisors on emergency procedures, safety procedures and correct techniques (e.g. transitions). Induction is to be informed by advice provided in consultation with the local authority (e.g. SLSQ, local council) and expertise at the venue, if applicable.
Instruction is required for students on safety procedures and correct techniques. 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
Surf Life Saving Australia's (SLSA) beachsafe,
Royal Life Saving Society Queensland's (RLSSQ) guidelines for inland waterways safety,
AusTriathlon event operations and the
AusTriathlon race competition rules (PDF, 819KB) 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 (if applicable) prior to undertaking the activity, inspecting the intended location in order to identify variable risks, hazards and potential dangers.
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
- directly control and supervise road and/or water crossings
-
not allow free-swim/cycle activities.
The activity must be suspended if the conditions become unfavourable (e.g. rips, sweeps, currents, undertows, visibility, debris, thunderstorms, extreme temperatures) or when environmental warnings have been issued (e.g. lifeguard warning).
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
SLSA's beachsafe,
RLSSQ's guidelines for inland waterways safety,
AusTriathlon event operations and the
AusTriathlon race competition rules (PDF, 819KB), 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.
Key personnel must be appointed to manage the relevant supervision and safety details, as required by the
AusTriathlon event operations (PDF, 2.2MB) (e.g. transition manager, water safety director, bike director, run director, medical supervisor).
At least 1 adult supervisor to supervise each of the disciplines. Each adult supervisor to have knowledge of the respective discipline and its potential hazards.
All adult supervisors to be within close proximity of first aid and water provisions.
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 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 required. Consult
first aid—managing head injuries.
Consideration of additional supervisor qualification recommendations from CARA guidelines for the individual disciplines, for example,
cross country,
cycling (road, track, path),
swimming in pools as relevant.
High risk activities
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 triathlon
- an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with current
foundation coach accreditation from Triathlon Australia.
Extreme risk activities
At least 1 adult supervisor is either:
- a registered teacher with current
foundation coach accreditation from Triathlon Australia
- an adult supervisor working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with current
development coach accreditation from Triathlon Australia.
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.
Consideration of additional facility and equipment recommendations from CARA guidelines for the individual disciplines (e.g.
cross country,
cycling (road, track, path),
swimming in pools) as relevant.
Appropriate routes for the individual disciplines that consider water, road and track hazards. Assess suitability of surrounds and reach of water when selecting a location for the swimming route. Consider local water conditions and foreseeable hazards, such as:
- tidal flow and currents
- use by other watercraft and traffic patterns
- water temperature, depth and visibility
- underwater hazards (e.g. rocks, reef) and dangerous marine organisms.
A pontoon, boat or float in close proximity to students where swimming occurs in open water.
A working emergency signal (e.g. whistle, air horn) must be readily available.
Access to waterways, roads and tracks available for emergency vehicles.
Support vehicles/watercraft conforming with
Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads regulations and driven by a licensed driver. Consult the CARA guidelines for
power boating.
Readily identifiable first aid, water, food and shade stations.
Participants must wear
personal protective equipment appropriate to the activity, the location and conditions (e.g. enclosed shoes, stinger suit, helmet, brightly coloured swim cap).
Compliance with the fact sheet for
starting pistols and caps, if relevant. An electronic start pistol or safer alternative is recommended.
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.
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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Biological hazards
Blue green algae, body fluids (e.g. blood, saliva, sweat) |
Check with the local authority (lifeguard service) for the presence of known water contaminants (e.g. effluent) or other marine hazards at the location. 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 |
Environmental conditions
Weather, sun, cold |
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.
Keep the pre-race briefings short to prevent students becoming cold.
Manage cooler water temperatures with additional control measures (e.g. shorter in-water time, wetsuits, etc.). Note: Sudden temperature changes may trigger
seizures.
Participants to wear a wetsuit. Follow temperature and time parameters determined by
AusTriathlon race competition rules (PDF, 819KB).
Follow the
managing excessive heat in schools guidelines when participating in very hot or extreme heat conditions.
Ensure drink breaks occur regularly. Make water available for individual participants between drink breaks (e.g. water stations)
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| Facilities and equipment hazards |
Control measures |
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Activity location |
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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Boundary clearance |
Use brightly coloured buoys to define swim area.
Ensure spectators do not interfere with the activity
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Damaged or faulty equipment |
Check equipment (e.g. helmets, wetsuits) for damage and correct fit before and during the activity |
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Slip/trip hazards |
Remove or clearly identify hazards on the course |
Manual handing
Lifting and carrying equipment |
Use correct
manual handling processes when lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying |
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Vehicles |
Continually assess threat of vehicles (e.g. boats, cars) as appropriate to location.
If vehicle access is required, closely supervise the access points
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| Student considerations |
Control measures |
Physical exertion
Exhaustion and fatigue |
Conduct
warm-up/cool-down activities.
Continually monitor students for signs of distress (e.g. fatigue, hypothermia, exhaustion, illness, hunger, dehydration, difficulty breathing and hyperventilation).
Ensure drink breaks occur regularly. Make water available for individual participants between drink breaks
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Hyperventilation |
Encourage participants to take a full/deep breath before submerging and ensure exhalation whilst underwater. Closely monitor students for involuntary multiple, shallow breaths.
Do not allow competitive breath-holding or 'no-breath' underwater games. Consult the
FAQs for further information
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Injury |
Students aware of the location of emergency and first-aid equipment |
Student issues
Student numbers, special needs, high risk behaviours, medical conditions, separation from the group |
Clearly identify participants (e.g. race number on bibs) and ensure student's upper torso is covered for all disciplines.
Finish each race before the next group begins.
Implement procedures (e.g. roll marking mechanisms) to account for all participants before, during and after the activity.
Limit the number of students in the water when close supervision is required and/or when the water is tending to become crowded
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Swimming attire
Visibility, fabrics
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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 swimming attire that is highly visible in water and does not cause a hazard (i.e. not too loose or heavy).
Each student must provide their own towel.
Students wear swimming caps if hair poses a hazard—consider type material as a drowning/suffocation risk.
Do not allow students to misuse swimming caps or equipment (e.g. do not pull swimming caps over faces, do not use rescue ropes for any purpose other than rescue or simulation).
Remove accessories (e.g. jewellery, lanyards) before participating
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Water entry |
Consult the department's water safety and swimming education program or the
National Swimming and Water safety framework for guidance on safe water entry at each band of years.
Do not allow diving activities unless under supervision of a qualified coach (e.g.
development coach accreditation with Swimming Australia) or other qualified person complying with
AUSTSWIM diving position statement July 2024 (PDF, 1MB)
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Visibility |
Strongly encourage students to have high-visibility swimming attire and a swimming cap that does
not match the pool colour.
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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