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. drowning, running aground, provision of CPR and
first aid, spinal injuries) 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. 2-way 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), flares
- an appointed emergency contact (e.g. the principal, a park ranger, or local police) 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. signalling for assistance, avoiding moving engine parts/propeller, location of first aid support and equipment, roll marking, process to rapidly communicate emergency advice to adult supervisors of impending severe events) and incorporate advice from off-site facility, if relevant.
Access is required to
first aid equipment and consumables suitable for foreseeable incidents (e.g. heat pack, ice pack, vinegar).
Induction is required for all adult supervisors on emergency procedures (e.g. drowning, running aground, provision of
first aid, spinal injuries) and safety procedures (e.g.
collision regulations,
Maritime Safety Queensland requirements, signalling for assistance, avoiding moving engine parts/propeller). 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.
universal hand signals (PDF, 267KB)) 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.
Specific roles for supervisors must include recovery, emergency and general supervision roles.
See
number of adult supervisors below.
Prepare a supervision plan to prevent drowning that considers the advice provided in this CARA guideline.
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.
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 allow this activity to
occur outside daylight hours.
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 all times, at least 1 adult supervisor with capability and competence (knowledge and skills) to assist/recover a student must be ready to perform a rescue.
In addition to the above:
- At least 3 adult supervisors are required to manage the activity safely in the roles of
driver,
spotter in the boat and
spotter on shore.
- Driver and spotters must have experience in the role and knowledge of the
universal hand signals (PDF, 267KB) used when water skiing.
- The spotter in the boat must hold a current first aid qualification and be prepared to enter the water (e.g. wearing life jacket) at all times.
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
concussion in sport resources.
For water skiing and/or wakeboarding behind a boat, at least 1 adult supervisor meet all of the below criteria:
And is either:
- a registered teacher with demonstrated competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching skills of water skiing and/or wakeboarding and demonstrated ability to perform rescues appropriate to the location. Examples of demonstrated ability include
- competence (knowledge and skills) in water safety (e.g. current professional development from Royal Lifesaving such as
Swim and Survive)
- a water safety and swimming instructor qualification from a registered training organisation (RTO) governing sporting body covering
SISCAQU002—perform basic water rescues unit of competency.
- an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with both
For water skiing and/or wakeboarding at a cable park, at least 1 adult supervisor is
- employed by the cable park, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with
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.
Participants must wear
personal protective equipment as relevant (e.g. wetsuit pants, wetsuit or stinger protective swimwear).
Level 50 lifejackets as outlined by
Maritime Safety Queensland must be worn when participating in water skiing or wakeboarding activities.
Ensure access to waterways is available for emergency vehicles or vessels.
Equipment must be sized to match the ability and strength of students.
All equipment must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
A process for checking for damage for all equipment used in the activity must be established and employed (e.g skis, boards, ropes, helmets).
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, marine stingers, stonefish, 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).
Adhere to established practices regarding the use of insect repellent, outlined in
insect viruses and allergies
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Environmental considerations
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.
Ensure shade, food and water are available during the activity
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Water temperature |
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.
Consider underwater vegetation (e.g. coral, weed), marine life (e.g. crocodiles, sharks, eels), debris and protection from watercraft when selecting ski location. Assess suitability of surrounds and reach of water (e.g. local water conditions and hazards, traffic patterns)
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Faulty or dangerous equipment |
Ensure equipment is tied down and stored correctly to prevent personal injury or damage during transit or retrieval.
Remove any equipment from the activity area that poses a risk to participants.
Ensure all safety equipment is in place and in good condition
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Vehicles/vessels |
Continually assess threat of vehicles and vessels if appropriate to location |
| 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 and fatigue |
Monitor students for signs of fear, hesitancy, loss of balance, fatigue, disorientation, hunger and/or exhaustion
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Student issues
Student numbers, special needs, high risk behaviours, medical conditions, separation from the group |
Tow only a single skier.
Ensure students are proficient in the double ski technique before advancing to single ski when water skiing.
Ensure start and 'drop off' areas are clear of swimmers.
Remove accessories (e.g. jewellery, lanyards) before participating.
Ensure fingernails, hair and clothing do not pose a hazard.
Implement procedures (e.g. roll marking mechanisms) to account for all participants before, during and after the activity.
Instruct students to obey all safety signs and instructions
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Visibility
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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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