Supervision

• The Lifesaving Society recommends taking children to locations supervised by certified National Lifeguards (NL).
• On-site supervision by teacher / supervisors is required following initial skill instruction and after all safety concerns have been emphasized.
• Facility factors such as water depth and pool configuration or type of activity may call for higher levels of direct supervision.
• Lifeguards are not babysitters. In addition to constant visual supervision by the facility’s certified National Lifeguards, the following ratios of teachers / supervisors to children are recommended:
  • 1:4 (Pre-Kindergarten/ECS to Grade 3)
  • 1:8 (Pre-Kindergarten/ECS to Grade 3 if life jackets / PFDs are worn by all children)
  • 1:10 ratio (Grades 4-12)

Instructional Considerations

• Teachers / supervisors should be particularly diligent during the first 10 minutes at the pool as children are excited to get into the water.
• Students should be briefed on the rules of the pool, signage, and location of lifeguards.
• Prior to giving students access to deep water (chest deep) 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 50m.
• Students with special needs may be at greater risk in an aquatic environment. Teachers / supervisors should assess these students’ swimming abilities and consider putting them in a life jacket / PFD as needed.
• Students must swim only in designated areas.
• Students should not be allowed to push or dunk other students.

Equipment/Facilities

• Appropriate swimwear or bathing suits should be worn.