IW9 - Aquatic Program Delivery

Purpose

To provide guidance for the delivery of structured activities, programs, lessons, events, etc. (hereafter referred to as the ‘program’) in, on or around inland waterways.

Scope

This guideline applies to program activity leaders and providers including: camping groups, schools and educational groups, swimming and lifesaving program providers and aquatic industry organisations (hereafter referred to as the “the responsible person”) providing a range of aquatic programs in inland waterways.

This guideline may apply to entities and/or individuals who own, operate, or control inland waterways; or own, operate or control public access to inland waterways; or have a responsibility / duty of care for the use of the associated inland waterway, such as land or water managers or inland waterway program or activity operators (hereafter referred to as the “the responsible person”).

Background

Inland waterways are inherently more hazardous environments to provide aquatic programs in than swimming pools. They also do not have safety systems in place such as lifeguards and communication systems. They can also take longer to access by emergency services and can often lack infrastructure and facilities.

Description

The responsible person should ensure the delivery of a program in, on or around inland waterways is conducted safely.

Prior to commencing the program in, on or around the waterway, the program provider should:

• Conduct a program-specific risk assessment
• Determine appropriate supervision requirements

Risk management considerations

When undergoing a risk assessment the responsible person should:

• Establish where the program will be delivered and whether the environment is appropriate and risks have been identified and appropriately managed.
• Identify the activities (whether designated or not) that occur in the area that is to be designated as the program area and consider their compatibility with regards to safety.
• Consider all program participants, leaders, instructors and teachers as bathers when assessing the risk of the activity and the aquatic environment.
• Establish a system for monitoring and reviewing risk management activities to ensure treatment measures are effective.

The responsible person should ensure emergency response protocols are in place should an emergency occur to include but not be limited to a system of communication, rescue equipment, employee training, etc.

The responsible person should conduct the risk assessment in line with the processes outlined in IW2 and the IS0 31000:2018 Risk assessment processes.

In addition, the risk management plan should consider all relevant factors, which may include:

The program

• The nature of the program
• Type of program (e.g. fitness test, carnival, sports)
• Time of program
• Duration of program
• Locations in, on or around the waterway which will be used for the program
• Equipment within the program (e.g. rescue equipment, manikins, scoreboard)

The participants

• Number of persons (participants, leaders, instructors and teachers, competitors, spectators, parents, etc.)
• Program users’ health, fitness and wellbeing (health, fitness, fatigue, age, strength)
• Program users’ capability (experience, confidence, knowledge, skill, attitude)
• Program users’ swimming ability

The environmental factors

• The location/waterway type
• Capacity ability to define the swimming area
• Water depth
• Water conditions/water quality
• Weather forecasts (sun / heat / cold)
• UV ratings / sun protection
• Local flora and fauna
• Location of any nearby shelter
• Suitability of facilities for changing clothes and security of belongings
• Safety equipment (such as lifejackets, whistles, helmets, etc.)
• Rescue equipment on site (such as ring buoys, throw ropes, rescue tubes, paddle craft, etc.)
• The availability of emergency management services such as ambulance response times and accessibility to the venue for emergency services
• Communication availability (may not have cellular service in remote locations)

The program delivery

• Program policies and procedures that apply
• Transportation to and from the program area

Supervision capacity

• Staffing considerations (who is needed, how many are needed, what qualifications do they require, what training and experience have they had).

Risk Treatments

The responsible person should consider the range of options available for conducting the activity ensuring that the level of risk is acceptable and risk reduction strategies are implemented. Risk reduction strategies should be implemented based on the heirarchy of controls detailed in IW2.

Risk treatments include:

• Elimination:
  • Postpone or cancel the program
• Substitution:
  • Move the location of the program
  • Change or modify the type of program
  • Change or modify the time/duration of the program
• Engineering Controls:
  • Zoning or barriers
  • Increase signage
  • Communications (radio, phone, etc.)
  • Access to and egress for emergency services
  • Access to rescue and first aid equipment
  • Additional water safety equipment
• Administrative Controls:
  • Reduce or restrict participant numbers
  • Reduce or restrict the program to participant capability
  • Additional supervision requirements
  • Specific emergency response plans
  • Hire agreements
  • Specific insurance
  • Waivers
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
  • Personal protection equipment

Program Equipment

The program provider should ensure that appropriate program equipment is available and ready for use (if applicable).

Program equipment should be inspected daily prior to use to ensure equipment is fit-for-purpose, safe and/or rescue-ready (if applicable).

Rescue and first aid equipment

Appropriate rescue equipment determined by the environment and it intended use. This may include but is not limited to throw ropes, paddle craft, and buoyancy devices such as ring buoys and rescue tubes.

Appropriate first aid equipment is available and ready for use.

The program provider should ensure that program activity leaders are proficient in the use of all rescue and first aid equipment.

Teaching equipment

All equipment used in aquatic programs should meet relevant Australian Standards.

All personal flotation devices should be fit to size of the participant, be consistent with Australian Standard Personal Flotation Devices AS4758:1.

Buoyancy Aids

Buoyancy aids such as kickboards, pool buoys, noodles and floating mats should be inspected regularly to ensure that they are in good condition.

Buoyancy aids should be allowed to dry fully overnight before being used again to ensure that they do not retain any stagnant water and risk becoming a source of infection.

A regular program of disinfection may need to be implemented depending on equipment usage and storage conditions.

Teaching Platforms

Teaching platforms where used should be inspected regularly to ensure that they are in good condition, are structurally sound and have no sharp edges.

The edges of the teaching platform should be of a contrasting colour to the water to assist students to easily tell where the edge of the platform is.

Teaching platforms should assist with visibility beneath them or manufactured so that people are prevented from swimming underneath them.

Teaching platforms should be made of a material that does not absorb water.

Care should be taken when moving a teaching platform, either within the aquatic environment or out of the aquatic environment, due to their weight and difficult handling characteristics.

Inflatables

There are many variables associated with the use of inflatable play equipment. Each situation is unique given the design of the inflatable equipment, the waterway it is being used in and how the equipment is being used.

All aquatic programs that use in-water inflatable equipment should conduct a detailed risk assessment on the use of the inflatable equipment as per AS/NZS 3533.4.5-2017 Amusement rides and devices – inflatables.

The risk assessment should include, but not be limited to, the following points:

• Manufacturer’s instructions
• Depth(s) of water in which the inflatable is operated
• Likelihood of a person falling:
  • off the inflatable
  • onto the inflatable
  • into the water
  • onto obstructions
• The waterway conditions
• Design of the inflatable
• Physical size of the program participants
• Number of program participants using the inflatable or in its vicinity
• Physical ability of the patrons
• Operating procedures
• Water Clarity
• Clear vision by lifeguards / program supervisors of persons under the inflatable play equipment
• Supervision of the inflatable of the general area (including line of sight issues)
• Previous incidents in relation to the inflatable – either recorded or anecdotal

Where a program provider assesses an unacceptable risk, the use of the relevant inflatable should cease immediately until an acceptable means of managing this activity is implemented.

Inflatables should be anchored in accordance with Australian Standards.

Inflatables should attract increased supervision arrangements so entrances and exists (including accidental exits) are supervised.

Inflatables should be inspected prior to use for wear and tear, leaks and rough surfaces.

When inflation and deflation are taking place, the area around the inflatable must be kept clear of pedestrian traffic and/or swimmers.

Care should be taken when moving an inflatable, either inflated or not, due to their weight and difficult handling characteristics. Given the difficulty accessing inland waterways, consideration should be given to appropriate mechanical aids (e.g. trailers, trolleys, winches, etc.) to protect the health and safety of the program / activity leaders.

Where possible, an inflatable should be allowed to dry fully before being stored for use to avoid growth of toxic microorganisms.

More information on appropriate management of inflatables can be found in AS/NZS 3533.4.5-2017 Amusement rides and devices – inflatables.

Safety Equipment for Program Delivery

Personal Flotation Devices

The program activity leader should take a risk management approach with regards to the wearing and supply of personal flotation devices for non-swimmers and weak swimmers.

The program activity leader may consider personal flotation devices such as lifejackets be worn by non-swimmers or weak swimmers who are in attendance of the program.

All personal flotation devices should be fit to size of the participant, be consistent with Australian Standard Personal Flotation Devices AS4758:1.

Rescue equipment

The program activity leader should ensure that appropriate rescue equipment is available, clean and ready for use. Appropriateness of the rescue equipment is determined by the environment of its intended use. This may include but is not limited to:

• Ropes
• Buoyancy devices such as ring buoys and rescue tubes
• Underwater search equipment such as masks, snorkels and fins
• Vehicle or vessel such as paddles boards, row boats, canoes, kayaks, personal water craft, or power boats

The program activity leader should be proficient in the use of all rescue equipment.

Review/monitor the situation

Once risk treatment strategies have been implemented the situation should be regularly monitored and reviewed especially after any changes to the risk become apparent to ensure the effectiveness of the strategy.

Training & Qualifications for Aquatic Program Instructors & Swimming and Water Safety Teachers

The responsible person should ensure that individuals leading and/or providing aquatic programs in inland waterway environments are suitably qualified and have received instruction, skills and training in order to conduct aquatic programs safely for all participants.

Swimming and Water Safety Teachers

To perform the duties of a swimming and water safety instructor in an inland open water environment, an individual should hold at minimum:

• A ”Working with Children” check or equivalent as required by relevant State or Territory legislation; and
• The current nationally recognised Swimming and Water Safety Teacher skill set, or most recent superseded version, or successive pre-placements, regardless of whether deemed equivalent or non-equivalent; or,
• The following nationally recognised unit of competency that make up the Swimming and Water Safety Teacher skill set, or it most recent superseded version, or its current replacement, regardless of whether deemed equivalent or non-equivalent:
• SISCAQU002 Perform basic water rescues
• SISCAQU006 Supervise clients in aquatic locations
• HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• HLTAID011 Provide first aid

Fast Moving Water

In addition to the above requirements for swimming and water safety teachers slow or still water, all instructors supervising persons in an inland waterway location with fast moving water or program must hold the current nationally recognised units of competency, or most recent superseded version of those units, or successive replacements, regardless of whether deemed equivalent or non-equivalent:

• PUASES014 Apply flood and fast moving water safety techniques

Program Activity Leaders

Where aquatic programs are delivered in an inland waterway, the responsible person should ensure program activity leaders are suitably qualified in lifesaving techniques and risk reduction strategies.

Program activity leaders should hold the current Inland Open Water Lifeguard Skillset, or the nationally recognised units of competency that make up the Skillset, or most recent superseded version of those units, or successive replacements, regardless of whether deemed equivalent or non-equivalent, including:

• HLTAID011 Provide first aid
• SISCAQU019 Supervise clients in aquatic locations
• SISCAQU021 Perform complex water rescues
• SISCAQU022 Provide oxygen resuscitation and therapy in an aquatic environment
• SISCAQU029 Perform open water rescues; and,
• Current Working With Children Check.

In addition to the above requirements, where there is fast moving water a program activity leader must hold the current nationally recognised units of competency, or most recent superseded version of those units, or successive replacements, regardless of whether deemed equivalent or non-equivalent:

• PUASES014 Apply flood and fast moving water safety techniques

Program / Activity Supervision

For the ease of simplifying criteria, supervision requirements for the program activity should be as follows:

• Each program activity leader must ensure that they are appropriately positioned to ensure they have constant view of all program participants and are able to respond promptly where assistance is required.
• Program activity leaders should be positioned so that they can respond and reach a participant in distress ideally within 30 seconds.
• Program activity leaders must be attired to perform an immediate contact rescue if necessary and be fit and competent in rescue competencies in the aquatic environment in which the activity is being conducted.
• Program activity leaders must never leave participants unsupervised or become distracted with non-supervisory activities where participants are in, on or around the water.
• Program activity leaders should conduct regular scanning and surveillance strategies such as grouping, head counting and proactively communicate to ensure swimmers do not become at risk or unaccounted for.

Supervision ratios for aquatic program delivery in inland waterways

The information below relates to issues of safety, not ratios considered ideal for teaching effectiveness.

All programs in inland open waterway environments should attract the following supervision ratios:

Communication Systems

The program activity leader should have the means to communicate with other activity leaders, supervisors and program participants at a distance in the event of an emergency (such as a megaphone, air horn, whistle or other signalling device).

The program activity leader should have a means of communicating with emergency services. Where mobile phones are to be used, program activity leaders should be aware that they may not operate in all locations and have a secondary option.

The program activity leader should be proficient in the use of all communication equipment.

References

• Australian Skills Quality Authority. (2023). National register of vocational education and training. Australian Government. Viewed 9 August 2023. https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/SISSS00134
• International Organisation for Standardisation. (2018). Risk management – Guidelines (AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018). International Standards Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland.
• Royal Life Saving Society – Australia. (2016). Guidelines for safe pool operations: Risk management. Royal Life Saving Society – Australia, Sydney, Australia.
• Royal Life Saving Society – Australia. (2022). Lifeguarding (6th ed.). Royal Life Saving Society – Australia, Sydney, Australia.
• Royal Life Saving Society – Australia. (2022). Swimming and lifesaving manual (Revised 6th ed.). Royal Life Saving Society – Australia, Sydney, Australia.
• Royal Life Saving Society – New South Wales. (2014). Open water experience – Risk considerations for school & community groups. Royal Life Saving Society – New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
• Standards Australia & Standards New Zealand. (2017). Amusement rides and devices – Inflatables (AS/NZS 3533.4.5:2017). Standards Australia, Sydney, Australia.
• Standards Australia. (2022). Lifejackets, Part 1: General requirements (AS4758.1:2022). Standards Australia, Sydney, Australia.
• Victorian State Government. (2019). School policy and advisory guide: Swimming instruction and water safety education. Victorian State Government Department of Education and Training, Melbourne, Australia.
• Washington State Department of Health. (2015). Washington State designated swim area guidelines. Washington State Government, Tumwater, United States of America.
• World Health Organisation. (2003). Guidelines for safe recreational water environments. World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.