Swimming
Relative Risk: Medium
Interschool Swimming
Supervision
- Constant visual supervision by a certified Lifesaving Society National Lifeguard or Canadian Red Cross Lifeguard is required.
- On-site supervision by teacher/coach is recommended following initial skill instruction and after all safety concerns have been emphasized.
- Student athletes must ask permission to leave pool area.
- Suggested ratio of teachers/coaches and lifeguards to student athletes is 1:10 ratio.
- Facility factors such as water depth and pool configuration or type of activity may call for higher levels of direct supervision.
Instructional Considerations
- Prior to giving athletes access to deep water (above chest height) for swimming, student athletes 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 (Appendix W).
- In-charge person on deck should be informed of student athletes with medical problems that may affect their safety in the water.
Equipment/Facilities
- Appropriate swimwear should be worn.
Last revised on 21 February, 2020.
Magnitude of Risk
Interschool athletic activities have been divided into three categories based on guidelines determined by the Sport Medicine Council of Alberta. These include higher magnitude of risk sports, medium magnitude of risk sports and lower magnitude of risk sports. Guidelines for determining risk level include assessing the nature of the sport in consideration of:
- Potential for injuries with severe consequences;
- Contact: person to person and person to equipment;
- Uniqueness of equipment used;
- Speed of action;
- Type of supervision required.
Although the magnitude of risk of injury is lower in some interschool athletic activities than in others, it is always in the best interest for teachers/coaches to document attendance and practice plans, and be prepared to handle injuries should they occur.
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