26 May 2008 Safety Message Issue No 1

Swimming is a popular activity for school age children with many schools organizing swim classes as part of sport or physical education. The exposure to swimming experiences enables children to gain water confidence, swimming skills and an understanding of water safety.

Safety considerations must always be paramount. Swimming activities require careful planning and preparation. School teachers, parents, volunteers and helpers can play a valuable role in supporting qualified swim coaches responsible for the safe delivery of swim programmes.

To ensure safe supervision of children, we have provided some guidelines below for swim coaches, teachers, parents, volunteers and helpers involved in swim coaching.

SAFE SUPERVISION

For school coaching in public pools, the teaching ratio is 20 children to 1 coach at any one time. To help with the management of the group, the qualified swim coach together with the accompanying schoolteacher can adopt a number of strategies.

For example, another responsible person on the poolside may provide the necessary supervision by assisting to recognize and respond to a child in difficulty. In a school this could be an interested parent, an accompanying teacher for the swim class or volunteers. They must, however, be absolutely clear on the nature and extent of their role.

Alternatively, children can be taught to work in pairs. Have half the number of children in the water at any one time while the other half must be out of the water standing on the poolside to constantly observe their partners and to bring any concern to the immediate attention of the coach or class teacher.

OTHER SAFETY GUIDELINES

1)Explain the rules prior to children entering the water such as No horseplay, no pushing children under the water, jumping on top of each other in the water

2)Ensure all children and teachers /parents /volunteers /helpers understand expectations regarding appropriate behaviour

3)Teach children how to shout or signal for help when in distress or difficult situations

4)Explain instructions for evacuation in the event of an emergency

5)Ensure that a plan detailing suitable emergency procedures is in place and that it will ensure access to emergency support without compromising the duty of care to the group or a casualty. Everyone must be familiar with the plan

6)No student should enter the water without appropriate supervision

Arrange Buddy and Check Systems

1)Pair children, generally on the basis of similar ability. Confirm regularly that each pair of buddies is safe and that each individual is looking out for each other

2)Children have to keep a look out for each other and shout for help in the event if their buddy is spotted to be in distress or difficulties

Supervision Supported By Others

1)Position teachers/parents/volunteer/helpers to maximize their view of the children so that at all times, they are able to clearly see all children and be close enough to provide physical support should this be required

2)Monitor children's behaviour at all times

3)Count the number of children in the group repeatedly

4)Conduct a visual screening of all children to spot if any of them are unwell

5)Do not allow unsafe behaviour

6)Ensure that everyone knows the location for emergency assistance and equipment available at the facility

NOTICE OF EXCLUSION

1) SSC will take reasonable steps to ensure that the swimming complex that you will be using is reasonably safe as a sports venue for the purposes of promoting sports. The dangers of personal injury, death from drowning and other mishaps may potentially occur. You are to exercise reasonable care when using the venue and take all reasonable precautions for your own safety. SSC totally excludes liability for any mishap, accident, loss, damage, injury or death from drowning that may result from your use of the venue or any activities in connection with the use of the venue. You unconditionally agree to SSC's total exclusion of liability as a condition for using the venue

2) The Council reserves the right to claim any damages to its property against the responsible person(s).

3) The Council reserves the right to enforce all rules and regulations and to deny access / admission to any person in violation of any rule or regulation.

The Council reserves the right at any time without prior notice to amend the rules and regulations at its discretion.

22 June 2010 Safety Message Issue No 2 SWIMSAFER PROGRAM: 1 instructor to 10 participants SwimSafer, will be rolled out at public swimming pools from July 2010 to teach especially children, water survival skills and educate them on water safety. The programme is the result of a review of existing water safety programmes and combines the best of the Learn-To-Swim Programme and National Survival Swimming Award. More emphasis is placed on water safety and the 6-stages customization ensures that each student is prepared to react appropriately when in sudden and adverse situations. 'Water safety awareness and skill are critical in preventing drowning. We hope to enhance the water safety knowledge among Singaporeans, and also to impart necessary skills so they can increase their chances of survival in different water situations.' related Dr Teo Ho Pin, Chairman of the National Water Safety Council. '(Also), by reducing the instructor to pupil ratio from 1:20 to 1:10, we will (first) be able to enhance the safety of the participants attending the programme and swimmers will get more attention from their instructors.' A separate open water module, known as SwimSafer Open Water will be introduced for those who want to take up water sports. For more information, please log on to www.ssc.gov.sg/swimsafer