Supervision

• Constant visual supervision for group by UW Hockey Coach and/or certified NLS Lifeguard is required.
• On-site supervision by teacher is recommended after all safety concerns have been emphasized following initial skill instruction and after all safety concerns have been emphasized.
• 1:16 ratio of instructors to students in water that is shallow enough to stand up in, depending on the configuration of pool and maturity level of students.
• Note that instructor and pool lifeguard on duty work as a team responsible for overseeing in-water activities at all times.
• Instructor/teacher should be in the water supervising students at all times with snorkel gear.

Instructional Considerations

• Students must be of good general health and be free of flu/cold symptoms on the day of the activity to be able to participate in the water.
• Students should have basic swimming skills if possible
• Prior to giving students access to deep water (above chest height) for swimming or other activities, students must be able to meet the Swim to Survive Standard, a sequence of three skills: roll into deep water, tread water for 1 minute, and swim 50 m.
• Students should be introduced to basic skills related to safe participation in the activity of underwater hockey play. This may include:
  • Pre-dive gear assembly and check for proper functioning and fit
  • Basic care and maintenance of snorkel and underwater hockey equipment
  • Basic hand signals from players and from referee/coach
  • Clearing the mask and snorkel
  • Equalization
  • Swimming with fins
  • Entry and exit methods and surface diving
  • Hyperventilation – risk of shallow water blackout
  • Conduct of fair play
  • Respect for players, instructors, facility staff/lifeguards, etc.

Equipment/Facilities

• Ensure that students have proper fitting masks, snorkels and fins.
• Service provider, usually an underwater hockey coach or swim instructor checks and provides students with properly fitting snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins) in addition to underwater hockey equipment (gloves, small hockey stick, weighted puck).