| Guidelines For Safe Supervision Of Coaching In Swimming Pools |
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28 May 2008
Swimming is a popular activity for school age children with many schools organizing swim classes as part of sport or physical education. The exposure to swimming experiences enables children to gain water confidence, swimming skills and an understanding of water safety.
Safety considerations must always be paramount. Swimming activities require careful planning and preparation. School teachers, parents, volunteers and helpers can play a valuable role in supporting qualified swim coaches responsible for the safe delivery of swim programmes.
To ensure safe supervision of children, we have provided some guidelines below for swim coaches, teachers, parents, volunteers and helpers involved in swim coaching.
SAFE SUPERVISION
For school coaching in public pools, the teaching ratio is 20 children to 1 coach at any one time. To help with the management of the group, the qualified swim coach together with the accompanying schoolteacher can adopt a number of strategies.
For example, another responsible person on the poolside may provide the necessary supervision by assisting to recognize and respond to a child in difficulty. In a school this could be an interested parent, an accompanying teacher for the swim class or volunteers. They must, however, be absolutely clear on the nature and extent of their role.
Alternatively, children can be taught to work in pairs. Have half the number of children in the water at any one time while the other half must be out of the water standing on the poolside to constantly observe their partners and to bring any concern to the immediate attention of the coach or class teacher.
OTHER SAFETY GUIDELINES
Conduct Safety Briefing
- Explain the rules prior to children entering the water such as No horseplay, no pushing children under the water, jumping on top of each other in the water etc
- Ensure all children and teachers /parents /volunteers /helpers understand expectations regarding appropriate behaviour
- Teach children how to shout or signal for help when in distress or difficult situations
- Explain instructions for evacuation in the event of an emergency
- Ensure that a plan detailing suitable emergency procedures is in place and that it will ensure access to emergency support without compromising the duty of care to the group or a casualty. Everyone must be familiar with the plan
- No student should enter the water without appropriate supervision
Arrange Buddy and Check Systems
- Pair children, generally on the basis of similar ability. Confirm regularly that each pair of buddies is safe and that each individual is looking out for each other
- Children have to keep a look out for each other and shout for help in the event if their buddy is spotted to be in distress or difficulties
Supervision Supported By Others
- Position teachers/parents/volunteer/helpers to maximize their view of the children so that at all times, they are able to clearly see all children and be close enough to provide physical support should this be required
- Be aware of children?s movements
- Monitor children?s behaviour at all times
- Count the number of children in the group repeatedly
- Conduct a visual screening of all children to spot if any of them are unwell
- Do not allow unsafe behaviour
- Ensure that everyone knows the location for emergency assistance and equipment available at the facility
This safety message is brought to you by Dr Teo Ho Pin, Chairman of the National Water Safety Council
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