AP3 - Aquatic Program Instructors

Purpose

To outline the requirements for those employed or contracted as instructors (or leaders) of aquatic programs.

Note: This guideline does not include swimming and water safety programs.

Definition

To outline the requirements for those employed or contracted as instructors or leaders of aquatic programs.

The term ‘instructor’ describes:

• An appropriately qualified person specifically employed or contracted to instruct a person in a skill or set of skills; or
• An appropriately qualified person specifically employed to supervise or lead an aquatic activity, even when supervision or leadership does not involve instruction of specific skills

The term ‘instruction’ describes supervision or leadership of an activity, regardless of whether the supervision or leadership involves instruction of specific skills.

Principles

The primary role of the aquatic program instructor is to lead, support and encourage successful performance of the activity which is the focus of the program.

The safety of participants should be an integral part of the planning of the program and the role of the instructor or leader.

Initial Training and Qualifications

Aquatic Program Instructors

To perform the duties of an Aquatic Program Instructor an individual should hold a:

1. Current Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate issued by a Registered Training Organisation and a;
2. “Working with Children” check or equivalent as required by relevant State or Territory legislation]
3. A recognised minimum qualification for instruction of the programmed activity (as per paragraph 3.4.4)a recognised minimum qualification for the instruction of the programmed activity as per the table in SV3.4.4.

Where an Aquatic Program Instructor is located at an aquatic facility that only facilitates programs, they may also be required to hold competencies as described in Emergency Planning, Safety Equipment and/or Incident Management.

The qualifications required for the instruction of an aquatic activity should be appropriate for:

1. The activity program;
2. The skills required of, or to be learned by, participants; and
3. The environment in which the program is conducted.

Employers may take as a guide the minimum qualifications required of instructors or by professional associations representing such programs or activities in other environments.

Health and Fitness Assessments

An Aquatic Program Instructor should be in good health and physical fitness for the specific duties they are required to undertake in their role.

The owners or operator of aquatic facility and their employees, such as Aquatic Program Instructor, have a Duty of Care to the aquatic users. Part of this Duty of Care extends to the health of an Aquatic Program Instructor and their ability to perform aquatic rescues.

Aquatic Program Instructor employed at an aquatic facility are responsible for managing their health & wellbeing and to inform facility management should their ability to perform their duties become compromised.

The owner or operator of aquatic facility is responsible for ensuring that on an annual basis or following an injury that an Aquatic Program Instructor is able to and is managing their health & wellbeing.

The owner or operator of an aquatic facility should ensure that as a result of a health assessment or self-declaration medical questionnaire an Aquatic Program Instructor is categorised using the following assessment categories:

• Category 1 – Fit Unrestricted
• Category 2 – Fit with restrictions
• Category 3 – Unfit pending further assessment
• Category 4 – Permanently Unfit

If an Aquatic Program Instructor falls into category 3 or 4, the employment of the Aquatic Program Instructor should cease or not commence until further assessment is undertaken or further medical evidence is provided.

Reassessment should be after a 30 day period.

Aquatic Program Instructor should notify employers in writing of any deterioration of their health that occurs during their employment and after a medical assessment.

Induction

An Aquatic Program Instructor Induction should include at a minimum the following steps:

1. Orientation to the physical layout of the Aquatic Facility including the location, use and maintenance of any plant / equipment relevant to their role
2. An induction into the employment policies and procedures of the organisation
3. An induction into the Operations Manual and any associated equipment, procedures or locations including supervision
4. An induction into the Emergency Plan and any associated equipment, procedures or locations
5. An induction to the team they will be working with

Annual Skills Assessment

In line with the Australian Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, Aquatic Program Instructors are required to demonstrate an up to date knowledge and skill under assessment conditions of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation.

This annual skills assessment should be delivered and assessed by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in line with the assessment criteria of the competency.

Currency Training and Professional Development

Aquatic Program Instructors should undertake regular professional development to maintain currency in areas of safety and instruction methodology.

It is recommended that Aquatic Program Instructors practice their skills throughout the year, either formally or informally due to the professional nature of the qualification.

Aquatic Program Instructors working in a seasonal pool should participate in a facility specific in-service training session regarding possible emergencies at the aquatic facility they are employed at least once every 12 months.

Training sessions should be held at, or relate directly to, the aquatic facility in which the Aquatic Program Instructors is employed or contracted.

Currency and professional development sessions should be varied and cover all aspects of the role of Aquatic Program Instructors and may include but are not limited to:

1. Teaching methodologies
2. Aquatic programs
3. Practice of initiative assessment of and response to simulated incidents
4. Resuscitation
5. Aquatic rescue techniques
6. Emergency procedures for facility evacuation

Training Log

The owner or operator of an aquatic facility should ensure that a record of all training and professional development sessions is maintained at the place of employment. Note that records must be accessible onsite at the facility.

Records should include the following details:

• Date of training session
• Person instructing / leading the session
• Those attending
• Content of the training session
• Comments on employees unable to complete aspects of the training

Aquatic Program Instructors are recommended to maintain a personal log book recording all induction and in-service training undertaken. This may include additional professional development training provided by organisations other than their employer.

Registration

Re-registration

Many accrediting organisations require that instructors re-qualify for registration at regular intervals. Minimum qualifications are maintained either through a re-examination of required skills, accumulation of continuing education credits/points or presentation of proof of the currency of pre-requisites for the qualification.

Proof of Accreditation

It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that:

1. Instructors and or leaders are appropriately qualified;
2. The instructor’s or leader’s qualifications are current; and
3. Instructors and leaders are able to perform any activities within the qualification, particularly those relating to water safety, and additional safety or emergency procedures required at the place of employment.

References / Further Information

• GSPO Emergency Planning
• GSPO SV7 Swimming and Water Safety Teachers
• GSPO SV6 Swimming and Water Safety Supervisors
• Australian Standard AS 3745-2002 Emergency control organization and procedures for buildings, structures and workplaces, SAI Global, Sydney
• Australian Resuscitation Council Guideline 9.1.1, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training

Previous Issues

• Guideline PR10 Qualifications for Providing Safe Aquatic Programs, Issue 1, January 2001
• Guideline PR10 Qualifications for Providing Safe Aquatic Programs, Issue 2, 2 April 2013

Appendix 1 - Minimum Health Criteria

Purpose

To outline the minimum health requirements for those employed or contracted as swimming and water safety teachers and instructors (or leaders) of aquatic programs.

Criteria

Vision

Swimming and Water Safety Teachers rely greatly on vision when teaching and supervising. As a result it is vital that Swimming and Water Safety Teachers have normal 20/20 vision.

If a swimming and water safety teacher has, or becomes aware that he/she does not have 20/20 vision, then the swimming and water safety teacher must take measures to facilitate his/her vision, such as the wearing of the appropriate corrective lenses.

Hearing

Hearing plays a vital role in swimming and water safety teaching, particularly in communication.

Swimming and water safety teachers who have impaired hearing should take measures to facilitate their hearing such as the appropriate hearing aid.

Swimming and water safety teachers who are hearing impaired should ensure, in consultation with their management, that the appropriate procedures are in place to ensure adequate supervision of pool users and communication with staff, particularly in an emergency situation.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common condition affecting about 1 in every 200 of the population. It is characterized by recurring muscular seizures with a loss of consciousness.

A seizure occurring in, or even near the water, may result in drowning unless rescue is affected very promptly. Epilepsy does not preclude a person from being a swimming and water safety teacher, however there must be guidelines to ensure safety.

Persons suffering from epilepsy are eligible to participate in swimming and water safety teacher activity provided they have the approval of their medical attendant who is fully aware of the nature and duties of a swimming and water safety teacher.

The responsibility for a person’s management of their epilepsy at all times rests with that person and the medical attendant concerned.

Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus is a common disorder of body metabolism that can occur at any age. It is controlled by a combination of diet, exercise and perhaps medication.

In general, Diabetes should not preclude a person from any of the activities of a swimming and water safety teacher

Diabetics, who require insulin treatment, can only participate in teaching activity if they have the approval of their medical attendant who is fully aware of the nature of a swimming and water safety teacher

The responsibility for a person’s management of their diabetes at all times rests with that person and the medical attendant concerned.

Asthma

Bronchial asthma is a common condition within the community and may affect any age group. Asthma is a variable condition and it is recognised that a swimming and water safety teacher with asthma may be fully fit at some times and not fit for duty at other times.

Persons with acute asthma are eligible to participate in teaching activity provided they have the approval of their medical attendant who is fully aware of the nature of a swimming and water safety teacher.

The responsibility for a person’s management of their asthma at all times rests with that person and the medical attendant concerned.

Pregnancy

It is recognised that a pregnant a swimming and water safety teacher may be fully fit for duty at some times and not fit for duty at other times. On becoming aware of a pregnancy, pregnant a swimming and water safety teacher should consult with, and make their medical attendant fully aware of the nature of a swimming and water safety teacher before continuing work.

It is recognised that pregnancy may preclude a swimming and water safety teacher from fulfilling only a part of their duties for periods of time. In cases such as this, the swimming and water safety teacher should consult with facility management about being able to alter the duties they are expected to carry out.

Immunizations

A swimming and water safety teacher may come into contact with blood and other body fluids during the course of their duties. These body fluids may transmit infectious diseases such as Hepatitis and Influenza, amongst others.

It is recommended that swimming and water safety teacher keep their immunizations up to date as recommended by their medical attendant to minimize the chance of becoming infected.

The responsibility for a person’s management of their immunization levels at all times rests with that person and the medical attendant concerned.