Management Of Open Water Swimming Events Final - From Pro Life Guards
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Transcript of Management Of Open Water Swimming Events Final - From Pro Life Guards
TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements
SECTION1 Introduction
SECTION2 Event Planning
SECTION3 Safety Management
SECTION4 General Site Issues
SECTION5 Race Day Organisation
SECTION6 Safety Case
APPENDIXA The Incident Prevention Strategy - Why People Drown?
APPENDIXB National Water Safety Signs
APPENDIXC Checking Water Quality
APPENDIXD Sample Safety Case (including Risk Assessment Documentation)
APPENDIXE Boats and Equipment
APPENDIXF Radio Procedure
APPENDIXG Event Timescales
APPENDIXH Event Checklist
APPENDIXI Sample Event Conditions
APPENDIXJ Qualifications & Experience
APPENDIXK Beaufort Wind Scale
APPENDIXL Athlete’s Check List
APPENDIXM Reference List
APPENDIXN Contacts
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Composition of the open water swimming working group (‘the group’)
Mr Sam Greetham (BritishSwimmingRepresentative)
Mr Alan Capstick (ASARepresentative)
Mr Alan Bircher (FormerInternationalAthlete)
Dr Ian Gordon (MedicalExpert)
Mr Mark Perry (BritishDevelopmentandOpenWaterCoach)
Mr Dennis Freeman-Wright (FacilitiesDepartment)–Health&Safety
Mr Tom Mukherjee-Neale (FacilitiesDepartment)–Health&Safety
Mr Ashley Cox (ASA/BritishSwimmingDepartmentofRegulatoryandLegalAffairs)
TheGroupwasadministrativelysupportedbyGemmaRyder,OperationsDepartment.
Organisations that have assisted or have been consulted in the production of this document:
• Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS)
• British Canoe Union (BCU)
• Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
• British Triathlon Federation (BTF)
Words importing a particular gender (including neuter) include all genders.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | TABLEOFCONTENTS
Safety is of paramount importance to the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) and British Swimming (together ‘the Organisations’) in the conduct of any Open Water Swimming event/competition hereafter referred to as an ‘event’. The first step in planning an Open Water Swim is to consider all safety factors. At all times, the priority must be to safeguard the health and safety of athletes/participants, hereafter referred to as ‘participants’.
Thispublicationisnotdesignedtopreventtherunningof,ordevelopmentof,OpenWaterSwimming,ithasbeendesignedwiththeintentionof,andcommitmentto,ensuringthattheriskofharmtoparticipantsinOpenWaterSwimmingisminimisedtothefullestextentpossiblegiventheriskinherentinthesportofOpenWaterSwimming.
ThispublicationfurtherprovidesguidanceonthesafemanagementofOpenWatereventsandprogrammedOpenWaterSwimmingtrainingforthepersonsorbodyineffectivecontroloftheevent(the“operator”)forallsiteswherethepublichaveaccesstoOpenWaterbothininlandwatersandcoastalwaters.
TheOrganisations,throughtheGroup,haspreparedtheseguidelinesfollowingacomprehensivesafetyreviewofplanningandeventorganisation.TheguidelinesareintendedforusebytheOrganisationsandtheNationalAssociations(ASA,SASAandWASA)whenorganisingevents.Theyareapplicableatalllevels;theeventcouldbealocaleventrunbyacluborRegionoraNationalorInternationaleventrunbyBritishSwimmingoroneoftheNationalAssociations.
Thedocumentisintended to assisteventorganisers,safetyofficers,refereesandotherofficialsrunasafeandsuccessful
event.Itisfor guidance only andalthougheverycarehasbeentakeninitsdevelopment,BritishSwimmingcanacceptnoresponsibilityforanylossornegligencearisingoutofitsuse,althougheverycarehasbeentakeninitsdevelopment.
Theadvicegivenprimarilyconcernsthesafetyofthepublictakingpartinorviewingcontrolledprogrammedevents.Thisdocumentprovidesguidance,eventoperatingproceduresandagenericriskassessment.
TheLawsandRegulationsgoverningOpenWaterSwimmingarepublishedbytheNationalAssociations,andapplyasappropriateunlesstheeventconditionsspecifyFINARules.TheRegulationsarepublishedintherespectiveNationalAssociationhandbooksannuallyandcanbeaccessedfromtherelevantNationalAssociationwebsites.TheASA’sisavailableatwww.swimming.org/asa/clubs-and-members/asa-handbook-2011/.
Thispublicationisaguidancedocumentandshouldbereadinconjunctionwiththerelevantsportingrules.
Duetotheuniquefeaturesofbothinlandandcoastalsitesthisdocumentdoesnotattempttoprovideprescriptiveanswerstospecificquestions,whichwouldbeaddressedwithinthesiteriskassessment.However,thedocumentwilladdressgeneralissuessuchastheupperandlowerparametersofwatertemperaturesandcompetitormanagement.
Thisdocumentisa‘livingdocument’andassuchisupdatedperiodicallyinthelightofexperienceandtoreflectbestpracticeandimprovementsinsafetyprocedures.
UsersofthispublicationarewelcometocommentoncontentandusabilityandtosendanynewandrelevantmaterialthatmaybeincorporatedinsubsequentissuestotheOrganisationorifthereareanyconcernsfollowinganeventtofacilities@swimming.org.
INTRODUCTION
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
OpenWaterbathinghasalwaysbeenapopularactivityprimarilyasarecreationalpursuitlinkedtotourismandsunnyweather.OpenWaterevents,althoughnotanewphenomenon,haveincreasedsignificantlythroughoutthe1990’sbothinfrequency,sizeandlocation.OpenWaterSwimmingeventshavebeenrecordedwithparticipantsinexcessof10,000;thissortofeventobviouslyhasserioushealthandsafetyimplicationsparticularlyintermsofspanofcontrolandsupervision.
ThesportofOpenWaterSwimmingisoneofthefastestgrowingwatersportsinthecountry.SinceitbecameanOlympicsportin2008itspopularityhasincreasedyearonyear.Inpartthispopularitycomesfromthegrowthinmassparticipationeventswithsome5000participantstakingpartoveroneweekend.Triathlonisanothersportthatisanexponentofthesport,itisreportedthatinthe2009seasontherewere803registeredracesacrossEngland,ScotlandandWalesaccountingfor120,620participants.Clearly,toaccommodatesuchalargenumberofeventssafelyrequiresdetailedriskassessment,parametersforoperationanddetailedproceduresforsettingupandimplementingthem.However,notallopenwateractivityisforaspecificevent,avastmajorityoftheswimsinOpenWaterwilltakeplaceintrainingsessions,wherethenumbersarenotavailableduetotheunstructurednatureandfrequencyoftheoccurrence.
InadditiontothesizeoftheeventOpenWaterSwimmingisalwayssubjecttoagreaterorlesserdegreetofluctuationsinweatherconditions,tides,currents,windforceetc.resultinginthepossiblecancellationoftheeventatshortnotice.
This section provides information and guidance for those involved in the organisation of an Open Water Swimming event.
LAWS AND REGULATIONS
TheRegulationsforOpenWaterSwimming,aspublishedbythethreeNationalAssociations,shallapplyasappropriateunlesstheeventconditionsspecifyFINARules.TheLawsandRegulationsarepublishedintherespectivehandbooksandcanbeaccessedfromtheirwebsites.
PLANNING AN OPEN WATER SWIM EVENT
TheorganisationofanOpenWaterSwimeventiscomplexandtimeconsumingandrequiresdetailedplanninginorderforittobeasuccess.Thefollowingisguidanceonwhatneedstobedoneandwhoshoulddoit.
ORGANISING TEAM
TheOrganisingTeamshouldtypicallyconsistof:
• Event Promoter: ultimateresponsibilityforthesuccessoftheevent,thepromoterislikelytobetheleaderoftheOrganisingTeam.
• Event Administrator: responsibleforday-to-dayadministration,principallythiscoversthesecretarialresponsibilitiesandisthepointofcontacttooutsideagencies.
• Technical Director:recruitstheTechnicalOfficialsandJudges.
• Safety Officer:responsibleforallaspectsofsafetybefore,duringandaftertheevent.
• Course Officer:responsibleforeachcoursetobeusedfortheevent.TheEventPromoterwillnormallyselectthelocation,buttheCourseOfficermustagreethatitissuitableandsafe.TheCourseOfficerwillplaneachcourse,ensuringtheyarethecorrectlength,thatstartandfinishareasareaccessibleandcorrectlymarkedandthatallturningpointsareclearlyvisibletotheswimmersandmannedbyappropriatelyqualifiedracejudges.
ORGANISING TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES
TheOrganisingTeamareresponsibleforallaspectsoftheeventincluding:
• siteselection
• liaisonwithlocalauthoritiesandservicesincludingthelocalhospitalA&Eunit
• authorisationstoholdtheeventatappropriatelevel–local,county,districtornational
• administration
– promoter’sconditions
– budgetcontrol
– entryforms
– entryclosingdate
– entryacceptance
– preparationofstartlists
– resultsservice
• eventpublicity,mediabriefingtopress,TVandradio
• appointingtechnicalofficials
• managingtheeventontheday
• posteventreports
• equipment(wristbands,PAsystemetc)
EVENT PLANNING
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | EVENTPLANNING
PLANNING TEAM MEETINGS Muchoftheworkinvolvedcanbeconductedindividuallyoncecleardelegationofresponsibilitieshasbeengiven.However,teammembersmustensurethatcommunicationismaintainedandarecordkeptofdutiesandactionsthathavebeenfulfilled.Whilstmuchofthisworkcanberecordedusingwrittencommunications,includinge-mail,itisrecommendedthatOrganisingTeamsmeetatleasttwicebeforeanevent.Thefirstmeetingwillestablishlinesofcommunicationanddelegateresponsibility.Ifthesiteisanewsiteitisadvisabletoholdthefirstmeetingatthesite.Itwillalsoresultinadetailedplancoveringtheperioduptoandincludingtheeventdayaswellasanyposteventactivities.Asecondmeetingisadvisableapproximatelyonemonthbeforetheevent,orearlier,toensurealllocalpermissionsandcontingencieshavebeencovered.ItisrecommendedthatiftheOrganisingTeamhasnotalreadyvisitedthesitethissecondmeetingbeasitemeetingifatallpossible.Localconditionscanbeviewed,intimateknowledgeofthelocalauthoritiesandserviceswillbeavailableandliaisonestablishedwithboatowners,canoeclubs,accommodationproviders,police,coastguardandmedicalservices.SeeAppendix Gforafullerchecklist.Thischecklistshouldbetailoredforeacheventandthecompletedchecklistwillformpartofthesafetycase.
TheEventPromoterisresponsibleforcallingmeetingsandissuingagendasandminutes.Agendasshouldbecarefullyplannedinordertocoverallaspectsdetailedinthisguidance.
Followingtheeventafinalmeetingshouldbecalledinordertoconfirmresults,discussprocedures,eventoutcomeandiftheeventisanationaleventareportshouldbemadetotheNationalAssociationOpenWaterSwimmingCommitteeassoonaspossibleaftertheevent.Ifallhasgonewellandtheteamhavecompletedalltheirdelegateddutiesthismeetingwillbeshortanditshouldbepossibletoholdthepreliminaryplanningmeetingforthenextyeareventatthesametime.
ADVANCE PREPARATION › Permissions
Localenquiriesneedtobemadetoestablishwhohasaninterestinthechosensiteandwhatformalitiesneedtobeobservedinobtainingpermissiontoruntheevent.Typicallythelocalauthorityisthefirstpointofcontact,followedbytheownerofthesiteandlocalemergencyservices(includinghospitalsandcoastguard).
Preliminarynotificationoftheeventshouldinclude:
• proposeddateandtiming
• proposedvenue
• safetyconsiderations
• proposedstartandfinishareas
• proposedcourseandalternatives
• anestimateofthenumberofcompetitors
Itislikelythatthelocalauthorityalreadypublishesaneventplanningguide.Ifthisisthecasethatdocumentshouldbefollowedbutaugmentedwithparticularinformationthatyoudecideshouldbeincludedforthesafetyofyourevent.
COURSE PLANNING
CoursePlanningisoneofthemostimportantaspectsandmustbestartedearly.Aproposedcourseshouldbepartoftheinitialnotificationprovidedwhenseekingauthorisationforaneventtobeheld.Thisisparticularlyimportantforseaswimsandwherecoordinationwithotherwaterusersisrequired.DetailedplanningmustbeconductedinconjunctionwiththeSafetyOfficerandtherecordoftheplanningwillformpartoftheSafetyCase.
Thecourseshouldbemarkedwithbuoysthatareclearlyvisiblewheninthewater.Turnbuoysshouldbeatleast1metrehighinthewater.Allmarkersshouldbefixedsotheywillnotmoveinprevailingwaterconditionsortides.
COURSE MEASUREMENT AND MARKING
Itisimportantthatthecourseisdeterminedfollowinglocaladviceandhistoricaldataandmeasuredwellinadvance.Thisistoensurethatchangestothecoursecanbemadeshouldweatherorwaterconditionsdeteriorate.Considerationshouldbegiventoplanninganalternativecoursethatcanbeputintoeffectwiththeminimumofdelay.CoursemeasurementshouldbeconductedusingaGPSreceiverwherepractical.
ON-SITE SURVEy
Adetailedsitesurveyisaveryimportanttask.Itmaybepossibletoconductthisatthesametimeastheplanningmeetingheldonemonthpriortotheevent(orearlier),butonlyifthelocationiswellknownandhasbeenusedforeventsinpreviousyears.Foranewlocationthepreliminarysitesurveyshouldbeconductedbeforeanydetailedplanningcommences.
Accesstotheareaisveryimportantasthiswillnotonlydeterminehoweacheventshouldtakeplace,butalso,intheeventofanemergency,howemergencyserviceswouldgainaccesstothestartandfinishareasandtothecourse.
Thestartandfinishareasshouldbeclearlydefined.Thestartshouldbewideenoughsotheproposednumberofcompetitorscanmakeasafestartfreefrominterferencefromothers.Thefinishareashouldbemarkedsothatthereisnoconfusionastoexactlywherethefinishis,andwhenthecourseiscompleted.Ifthereareahighnumberofentriesitmaybenecessarytostarttheeventin‘waves’toaccommodatethenumberssafely.
ENTRy FORMS AND RACE INFORMATION
Competitors,aswellasofficialsandotherinterestedbodiesneedtohaveinformationaboutthevenue,eventandthecourse.Thisinformationneedstobeasaccurateaspossibleandincludedontheentryformorinformationpack.Thebasicinformationshouldinclude:
• where:eventlocation
• type: openorrestrictedentry
• race distance(s)
• event categories:e.g.agegroups,masters,county,district,national.
• when:eventsdate(s)andentryclosingdate
• times: briefings,starts,presentations
• entry fee
• water type:freshorsalt,riverorsea,still,tidalorrivercurrent
• locations:ofregistration,briefing,start,finish,presentations.Includingdirections,mapsandinformationonparking,publictransportandaccommodation
• refreshments:before,duringandaftertheevent
• health and safety information: speciallocalconditions,likelywatertemperature,amountofdaylight,anticipatedwaterconditionsandforseaswimsofhighandlowtidevariationsinwaterdepth,tidalflowandoff-shorecurrents
• starts:mixed,separatemenandwomen,master’sagegroupsetc.
• declaration:adeclarationmustbemadeonanindividual’sabilitytocompletetheswim.Itshouldbequitecleartotheswimmerthattheyaredeclaringthattheyarenotonlyfitenoughandhavethestaminatocompletethedistance,butalsothattheswimmerismedicallyfittodoso(seeCompetenciesbelow)
Note: anypre-existingmedicalconditionincludingmedicationand/orsensitivitytoparticulardrugsshouldbeincludedontheentryformsandnotifiedtotheEventAdministratorofthecourseontheday.Intheeventofapre-existingmedicalconditionand/orsensitivitytoaparticulardrug,thentheformshallbeforwardedtotheeventMedicalSupportTeam.
Anyalterationstothepublishedinformation,includingsafetyissues,willbepostedinaprominentpositionattheeventsiteandincludedinthecompetitor’sbriefing.
CATERING
Considerationshouldbegiventotheprovisionoffoodanddrinkforthecompetitors,technicalofficials,helpersandVIPs,eitherintheformofpre-packedmealsiftheofficialsarelocatedawayfromtheraceheadquartersorsitdownorbuffettypemeals.Liquidisveryimportant;waterand,ifpossiblehotdrinks,shouldbeprovided.Itmaybepossibletoprovidefoodanddrinkforspectatorsandcoaches;inthiscaseitisdesirabletoadvertisethisinadvancewiththeentryformsandtoindicatethecosts.
PLANNING AN OVERSEAS OPEN WATER SWIM EVENT
FurtherinformationonoverseasOpenWaterSwimmingcanbeobtainedfromtheFacilitiesDepartmentonfacilities@swimming.org.OrganisersshouldbeawarethatthisdocumentreferstoUKLegislationandthereforewhenparticipatinginotherjurisdictionsotherlawswillapply,whicharenotcoveredinthisdocument.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | EVENTPLANNING
SAFETy MANAGEMENTTHE UK AND EUROPEAN LEGAL FRAMEWORK
UnderUK Common Lawliabilitytonegligencemayarisefromthebreachofafundamentalduty,knownasthe‘dutyofcare’.Thedutyisdescribedasfollows:arequirementthatapersonactstowardothersandthepublicwithwatchfulness,attention,cautionandprudencethatareasonablepersoninthecircumstanceswould.Ifaperson’sactionsdonotmeetthisstandardofcare,thentheactsareconsiderednegligent,andanydamagesresultingmaybeclaimedinalawsuitfornegligence
Owners,operatorsandoccupiersofopenwaterswimmingsitesmustfollowthegeneraldutiesandresponsibilitiesintheUKHealth and Safety at Work Act 1974andtheManagement of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.Theyareobligedtotakeallreasonableandpracticablemeasurestoensureteachingandcoachingactivitiesareconductedsafelyandthatanyprogrammedeventsaremanagedinasafeandpropermanner.Theyhavetheoverallresponsibilityforeverypersononthesite.
TheUK Occupiers Liability Act 1957 as amended 1983 imposesadutyofcareupontheoccupiertoanyvisitorsusingthepremisesforthepurposesforwhichtheyarepermittedorinvitedtobethere.Sinceitisnotalwayspossibletofenceoffmuchinlandwaterandmostcoastalwatersitisimportanttounderstandthattheoperatormayberelievedofliabilityifadangerisclearlybroughttotheattentionofallvisitorsattention,coupledwiththeoperator’sappropriateprecautions.
TheUKPublic Health Act 1936isanenablinglawofferinglocalauthoritiesthepowertoregulatewaterusersthroughthecreationofbylaws.Suchbylawsmayinclude:
• regulationoftheareasinwhich,andthehoursduringwhich,publicswimming,jetskiing,waterskiingetc.shallbepermitted
• regulationstoprovidelifesavingappliances
• regulationsforthenavigationofvessels
WHy EVENTS GO WRONG?• complacency
• makingassumptions
• insufficientresearch
• failingtoseekadvice
• lackofplanning
• lackofresource(s)(financialand/orvolunteers)
WATER SAFETy MANAGEMENT
TheCompetitionManagementcanrarely,ifever,solvetheirproblemsbyintroducing‘one-off’measuresfollowingaccidentsorincidents(thereactiveapproach).Thisstrategynormallyfailstoexaminethecausativechainoftheaccidentandtheunderlyingweaknessesintheoperator’smanagementsystemsorlackofthem.
Anotherfailureistoassumethatjustbecauseasitehasbeenaccidentfreeforaconsiderabletimeindicatesa‘safesite’.Suchaviewrarelyconsiderschangesintheenvironment,competitorsandevent.
AllOpenWatereventoperatorsneedtoadoptaproactiveapproachtomanagingtheireventriskshowevertheymayariseandthestartingpointistoestablishasafetymanagementsystem,whichrequiresaneffectiveapproachtoRISK ASSESSMENT.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | SAFETYMANAGEMENT
TheOrganisingTeam,inparticulartheSafetyOfficer,shouldprepareaplanformanagingsafety.ThisplanwillformpartofaSafetyCasefortheevent.Thefollowingpointsshouldbeconsidered:
• swimmer safety:theswimmersarethemostimportantfactorinanyOpenWaterevent.Somepointsrelatedspecificallytothecompetitorsare:
– swimmersmustbeidentifiablewithclearlymarkednumbersandbrightlycolouredswimhats,whichmayalsobenumbered.Thepromoterwillnormallyprovideswimhats;
– maximumentry-safenumberofswimmerstohaveinthewateratanyonetime;
• boats: essentialforallopenwaterevents.Thenumberandtypewilldependonthelocationandtypeofevent.AppendixEdetailstheroleofthedifferenttypesofboats,essentialequipmentandthepersonneltheyshouldcarry;
• number of officials and helpers and boats: thenumberswillbedeterminedbythe:
– typeofevent;
– experienceandageofthecompetitors;
– location;
– proximityandnumberofwateregresspoints;
Note: Theratioofboatstoswimmersisakeyconsideration.Forinstanceforalakeswimwhereswimmersarenomorethan10metresfromashore,youmaywishtosetaratioof1boatto20swimmers,whereasforaseaswimwherethereisnoeasyaccesstoalandingplaceawayfromthestartandfinishareasitmaybebettertoallocatearatioof1boattoevery6or8swimmers;
• communications:theSafetyOfficerwillestablishthelevelofcommunicationsrequiredwhencarryingouttheriskassessment.ThetypeofcommunicationsrequiredandwhoshouldbeincludedwillbedetailedintheSafetyCase;
• multi-tasking: administrativepressuremaymeanthatmorethanoneofficial’sroleisundertakenbyoneperson.InsomecasessuchastheStarterthismaybepossible.However,undernocircumstancesshouldtheSafetyOfficer,lifeguardsandspottershaveadditionalrolesthatmaydistractthemfromsupervisingthesafetyoftheswimmers;
• first aid cover:provisionoffirstaidcoverisessential,considerationshouldbegiventowherethisislocatedandwhetherthereisaneedforfirstaidexpertiseinthesafetyboats;
• emergency procedures:includingthetriggersforshorteningthecourseorabandoningtheswim.Thesetriggerswillinclude:
– themaximumsafeseastate,
– maximumwindspeed,
– forecastofanimminentelectricalstorm
– interferenceonthecoursebyotherboatusers.
• event cut off point:thetimeafterwhichallcompetitorsmusthaveleftthewater;
AlldecisionsregardingthemanagementofsafetywillberecordedintheSafetyCase.
RISK ASSESSMENT
ThecircumstancesandconfigurationofOpenWaterareasvarygreatly:astandardsolutiontocovereveryopenwaterareaisnotpracticable,soriskassessmentistheessentialfirststepwhenorganisinganOpenWaterevent.
RiskAssessmentmust:
• identifyhazards
• assessrisks
• indicate,asfarasispracticable,themeasuresrequiredtocontrolthesehazardsandrisks
ThesecontrolmeasuresshouldthenbeincorporatedinwrittenOpenWaterSafetyOperatingProcedures(OWSOP),whichconsistsofaNormalOperatingPlan(NOP)andanEmergencyActionPlan(EAP).Whenpreparingthese,theOpenWaterareaoperatorand/ortheEventManagershouldconsultfullywithswimmersandcoaches,BritishWaterways,LocalWaterBoard,localauthority,coastalauthorityandcoastguardserviceand/oranyotherappropriateregulatoryormanagingauthority.
TheOWSOPmustclearlystatethesafetyandsupervisoryrequirementsforallactivitiesinthedesignatedOpenWaterarea.
SwimmersandCoachesmustbefamiliarwithandpracticedintherelevantaspectsoftheOWSOP.Thishelpstoensuretheconsistencyofstandards.
SAFETy FACTORS IN RISK ASSESSMENT
EachdesignatedOpenWaterareawillhaveuniquefeaturesthatmakeparticulardemandsonsafety.
Thissectionhighlightssiximportantfactors.
› Open Water Area Configuration
• shapeandblindspots
• typeofentryandexit
• layoutoftheswimmingcourse
• blindspotsresultingfromthepositionofnaturalfeatures
• noisetogetherwithglare,reflectionandlightingfromthesun
• placingofturnbuoysorboats
• underwaterinlet/outletsources
• placingoffeedingstations
› Depth
Itsimportanceinrelationtotheabilityoftheswimmersincludes,butnotlimitedto:
• thedepthandextentofshallowwaterareas
• theextentofdeepwaterareas
• theopenwaterareafloorprofile,inparticularsuddenchangesindepth,possibledebrisandtypeoffloormateriali.e.sand,rocks,seaweedetc.
• thepossibilityofbeingabletosegregatetheshallowwaterareaandhazardousfloorareas(e.g.ropingoffandusingaboom)
WATER AND AIR QUALITy
Thefactorsthatneedtobeconsideredare:
› Water Temperature
Thetemperatureofthewaterisamajorfactorinthesafetyoftheswimmers.Temperaturesbothhighandlowcanhaveseriouseffectsontheswimmerandthereforerecommendationsforbothmaximumandminimumtemperaturesareexplainedandincluded.
› Minimum Temperatures
Currently, there are more existing standards surrounding minimum temperatures that swimmers should be allowed to swim in competition. The current FINA Rules state that a minimum temperature of 16°C to be achieved in order for the event to be run. For the National Associations this temperature is also 16°C with a minimum average temperature of 18°C for masters swimming.
UndertheFINARulesandNationalAssociationLawsandRegulationsofOpenWaterSwimming,wetsuitsarenotpermitted,whereasinTriathlonevents,whereonethirdofthesportisthedisciplineofswimming,wetsuitsareallowedwhenthewatertemperatureisbelow20°Cforopenandelitecategoryathletesand22°Cforamateurandagegroupathletes.
ItisrecommendedthatparticipantsinanOpenWaterSwimmingevent,thattakesplaceinwaterwherethewatertemperatureisbelow16°C,shouldwearawetsuit.
ForlowlevelOpenWaterSwimmingeventsandmassparticipationOpenWaterswimeventsthatarenotlinkedtoFINAoraNationalAssociationcompetitivestructure,event
operatorsmaywishtorelaxtheprohibitionofwetsuitsforsafetyreasonsparticularlyincoldwaterenvironments.However,thereisadangerwhenwearingwetsuitsinhotwaterorwarmairtemperaturesasthereisthepossibilityofoverheating.
Thereisaguidancedocumentthatsuggestswetssuitsshouldandshouldnotbewornwithinthefollowingparameters.
The use of wetsuits is forbidden or mandatory if the following combinations of distance and water temperature are attained:
Swim Length Forbidden Above
1500m 22ºc
1501-3000m 23ºc
3001-4000m 24ºc
*Raceswherewetsuitsarewornwillnotcounttowardsregional,nationalorinternationalqualifyingcompetition.
› Hypothermia (see also Facilities in case of Hypothermia below)
Hypothermiaisapotentiallyfatalconditionthatoccurswhenthecorebodytemperaturefallsbelow35°C.Theeffectsofthecoldonthebodyaremoresignificantinswimmersasthewateractsasamajorconductorofheatfromthebodyandtheeffectsofhypothermiacanbeacceleratedwhensubmergedinwater.Heatconductanceis26timesgreaterinwaterthaninair,thereforethespeedwithwhichthehumanbodycoolstodangerouslevelsisfarmorerapid.
› Maximum Temperatures
Currentlytherearenointernationalrulesstatinganupperlimitforthewatertemperature.However,thereisaneedforanupperlimitofwatertemperaturesandthisisrecommendedforanumberofreasons:
• Whilstitiscomfortabletobatheinwarmwater,performingvigorousexerciseisverydifferent.Thehumanbodyreactstotheambienttemperaturesurroundingit,andinhighertemperaturesittriestosweattomaintainacoretemperatureofaround37°C.Whenthewatertemperatureishighsweatingbecomesineffectiveandthecoretemperaturecanbegintorise.
• Inwarm/hotwaterthebodytemperaturebeginstoriseandtheheartrateincreases.Whenvigorousexerciseisfactoredintotheequation(aswillbethecaseincompetitiveswimmingevents)thebodytemperaturecanraisetosuchalevelthatsymptomssuchasheatexhaustionandheatstrokecanoccuroftenleadingtounconsciousness.Inwaterthiscanbefatalunlessarescueisaffectedinaveryshorttimescale.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | SAFETYMANAGEMENT
The recommended maximum water temperature for the conduct of an Open Water Swimming event, irrespective of distance, is 28ºC. If the water temperature is above 28 ºC an event should not be held.
Where the water temperature exceeds 27ºC (80.6°F) and the ambient air temperature is 5ºC or more higher than the water temperature, the event, no matter the distance, will be postponed until the ambient air temperature has decreased by a minimum of 2ºC.
Considerationshouldalsobegiventothetimingoftheeventaswatertemperaturescanfluctuatedependingonwhenthetemperatureofthewateristaken.Forexample,thewatermaybecoolerinthemorningthanintheafternoon/evening.
› Overheating (see also Facilities in case of Overheating below)
Ahumanbodysuffersheatstrokewhenthebodytemperaturerisessohighthatitoverheatsthebrain,causingunconsciousness.Thereisahigherpropensityforthistooccurwhenthebodyissubjectedtoexercise,particularlyinhotweather,becausefoodisconvertedtoenergybyaseriesofchemicalreactions,eachofwhichreleaseheat.Thesumofthereactionsconvertmorethan80%oftheenergyintoheat,whilelessthan20%isactuallyusedtodrivethebody’smuscles.Thatmeansthatthehighertheintensityoftheexercise,thehigherthebodytemperaturecanrise.Thus,thecirculatorysystemhastoworkveryhardtokeepthebodyfromoverheating.Duringexercise,notonlymusttheheartworkhardertopumpoxygenfrombloodinthelungstothemuscles,itmustalsopumpheatinbloodfromthemusclestotheskinwherethebodyperspiresanditevaporatestocoolthebodyoff.
Severalfactorsincreasethechancesofdevelopingaheatstrokesuchaswhentheoutsidetemperatureandhumidityarehigh;theswimmersarenotinshape;theswimmertakescertainmedications;orissick;orisdehydrated.Aspirindoesnotkeepthebodytemperaturefromrisingduringexercisebecauseaspirinlowersfeverbymakingapersonsweat.Aspreviouslyhighlightedexercisecanmakethebodysweat,takingAspirinwillnotencouragethebodytosweatatanincreasedrate.
Toprotectswimmersfromheatstrokewhentheyarecompetingortraining,theyshouldstartoutslowlyandgraduallyincreasetheirpace.Thisgivesthebodytimetocirculatetheheattotheskinwhereheatcanbedissipated;thisismuchmoredifficultinhotwaterthanhotair.Theyshoulddrinkfluidslongbeforetheyarethirsty.However,incompetitiveOpenWatereventsfeedingstationsarenotpermittedbelow10kmevent.Considerationshouldbegivenformassparticipationandlongeventstoincludefeedingstationsandalsoreviewthenumberofstationsonacoursefortheeventof10kmoroverandthedistancesbetweenthem.Oncesomeoneisthirsty,theyarealreadydehydrated,havinglostatleast2poundsoffluids.Itisrecommendedto
drinkwhateverispreferredatleastevery15minutesandbeawareofthesymptomsofrisingbodytemperature.Itmightnotbepossibletoachievethisinaswimmingeventbutithighlightsthefrequencywithwhichhydratingshouldbeconsidered.Whenthebodytemperaturerisesabove38.8°Cthemusclesoftenstarttoburn,whenthetemperatureisover40°Citusuallyresultsinshortnessofbreathandwhenyourtemperaturerisesabove45°C,signsofbraindistressbecomesapparent,suchasaheadache,blurredvision,ringingintheears,dizziness,nauseaandpassingout.
Itisimportantthattheswimmerisidentifiedpriortothelaterstagesofbraindistress.Atthisstagetheactivityshouldbestoppedandthesignalmadetothenearestrescuevessel,kayakorlifeguardtoperformarescueandadministeremergencyfirstaid.Source: Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
› Existing guidance on temperatures for Swimming Pools in the UK
Thereisfarmoreguidanceaboutsafepracticeofswimmingwhenintheenvironmentofanindoorswimmingpool.Althoughthetemperaturesinwhichwenowswimhavebeensteadilyincreasingovertheyearsguidancestillexiststorecommendtemperaturesfordifferenttypesofusage.
IntheUKtheguidancecomesfromthePoolWaterAdvisoryGroupintheformofaPubliclyAvailableStandard39(PAS39)publishedbytheBritishStandards.Currentguidanceisasfollowsforthemaximumrecommendedtemperatures:
Recreational, adult teaching, conventional main pools
29°C
Leisure Pools 30°C
Children’s swimming lessons, school swimming lessons
31°C
Babies, young children, disabled 32°C
Hydrotherapy Pools 35°C
Spa pools and Jacuzzis 40°C
› Measuring Water Temperatures
ThewatertemperatureshouldbemeasuredbytheCourseOfficerinthecompanyoftheSafetyOfficeratthestartpointandateachturningpointalongthecourseonthedaybeforetheraceandcheckedagainonthedayoftheraceapproximately1hourbeforethestart.Preferably,thetemperaturesshouldbetakenat40cmdepth.
› Air Temperature
AirtemperaturesarenotascriticalforOpenWaterSwimmingastheyareinanindoorswimmingpoolwheretheycanaffecthumidity,causecondensationandcorrosion.
Thewatertemperaturewillgenerallybeinbalancewiththeairtemperatureandwillbecoldwhenthewateriscoldandwarmwhenthewateriswarm.Therefore,concernsfortheswimmerrelatedtoexcessivelywarmorcoldwaterapplyequallytotheair.
Hazardousvariationscandevelopwhenthewaterandairtemperatureareoutofsynchronisation;forexamplewherewarmairaboveverycoldwatercancausevapourmistabovethewatercausingpoorvisibilityandlifesaverobservation.
However,themainhazardinrelationtoairtemperatureisexcessivelyhightemperaturesandsolarradiationontheheadoftheswimmerthatcancauseheatstroke.
› Air Temperatures and Shade
Thetemperatureoftheaircanaffecttheofficiatingstaffsupervisingtheevent.Caremustbetakentoensurethatthestaffhasadequateshadetoprovidecoverfromthehotsun.Ithasbeendocumentedinpreviousliterature,includingManagingHealthandSafetyinSwimmingPools,(publishedbytheHSE)thatworkinginhotatmospherescanreducetheconcentrationofthestaffmember.Whilstthisisreferringtotheindoorenvironmentitappliesequallyifnotmoresotooutdoorevents.Feedingstations,turningboats,lifeguardandofficialstationsshouldallbeconsideredifexcessivesolarheatisafactor.
› Humidity
Highhumiditylevelscancausediscomfortandheatexhaustionanditisrecommendedthatswimminginequatorialclimateswithhumiditylevelsinexcessof70%shouldberestrictedtoshorterdistances.
› Minimum Visibility Standards
Eventsshouldnottakeplacewhereswimmerscannotseethenextturningpointandwherelifeguardscannotclearlyseealltheswimmerswithintheirzoneofcontrol.
› Water Quality
Waterqualityisofprimeimportance.OpenWatereventorganisersmustresearchthewaterqualityofthedesignatedcompetitionareaasadvisedbyDefra.(SeeAppendixC).
TheEnvironmentAgency/NationalRiversAuthority/Coastguardsshouldbecontactedbeforetheeventforadviceontheareaofwatertobeused.WatertestingshouldbearrangedandtheresultsforcompetitorstoviewpriortotheeventandacopyofthewatertestcertificatelodgedintheSafetyCase.
› Ice
Generallyswimminginwaterswithformediceisnotrecommended,neitheristhebreakingoficetoenterthewaterrecommended.ObviouslywaterwithformediceissignificantlybelowtherecommendedwatertemperatureforOpenWaterSwimmingandthedangerofaccidentallyslippingbeneaththeiceispotentiallyfatal.
ItisrecognisedthatsomeOpenWaterSwimmersspecificallydesiretoswiminexcessivelycoldwaterandalthoughitisnotrecommendedsomeguidanceisavailable.Thisisspecificallyrelatedtoacclimatisationoftheswimmersbodytocoldwateranditissuggestedthat
swimmerswhowishtoswiminexcessivelycoldwatershouldimmersethemselvesincoldwatereverydaysothatthe‘shock’tothesystemisminimised.
› Algae
Algaearealargeanddiversegroupofsimple,typicallyautotrophicorganisms,rangingfromunicellulartomulticellularforms,suchasthegiantkelpsthatgrowto65metersinlength.Thelargestandmostcomplexmarineformsarecalledseaweeds.
Whenconditionsarerightforexampleinthesummermonthstheyhaveahabitofrapidgrowth,whichcancausebloomsacrosslargeareas.
Whiletherehavebeennoreportsoflongtermillnessordeath,thetoxinsthealgaeproducescanbetoxicandcancausesickness.
WhenpickingvenuesforOpenWaterSwimmingeventseachvenueshouldbechosenbasedonitsenvironmentandsusceptibilitytoAlgalBloomsandotherpotentialcausesofpostponementorcancellation.
Althoughnotalwaysharmfulitisasensibleprecautiontoavoidcontactwithblue-greenalgae,henceiflargebloomsdooccur,theEventOrganiserandtheSafetyOfficershouldlookatpostponementorcancellationforthesafetyoftheswimmer.
› Bacteria
Bacteriaaresingle-celledmicro-organismswhichcanexisteitherasindependent(free-living)organismsorasparasites(dependentuponanotherorganismforlife).
OpenWaterSwimmingeventsareprimarilyconcernedwithbacteriathatcanliveinwaterandthatcanenterthehumansystemeitherthroughopenwoundsorbyswallowing.
Forexample,faecalcoliformsandfaecalstreptococciaretypesofbacteriafoundinsewageandanimalexcretawhosepresenceinhighnumbersindicatespoorwaterquality.Althoughnotnecessarilydisease-causingthemselves,highlevelsoftheseindicatorbacteriaatasiteindicatethatdiseasecausingorganismsmaybepresent.
Amicro-biologicalwatertestcanascertainthelevelofharmfulbacteriainthewatersampleandindicatewhetheranOpenWaterSwimmingeventissafetotakeplace.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | SAFETYMANAGEMENT
› Leptospira
Leptospirosis(alsoknownasWeil’sDisease)isabacterialdiseasethataffectshumansandawiderangeofanimals,includingmammals,birds,amphibians,andreptiles.
Leptospirosisisarelativelyrarebacterialinfectioninhumans.Theinfectioniscommonlytransmittedtohumansbyallowingwaterthathasbeencontaminatedbyanimalurinetocomeincontactwithunhealedbreaksintheskin,theeyes,orwiththemucousmembranes.Outsideoftropicalareas,LeptospirosiscaseshavearelativelydistinctseasonalitywithmostofthemoccurringAugust–September/February–March.
AnypotentialOpenWaterSwimmingsitethatshowsawidespreadinfestationofratsshouldbecarefullyscreenedforthisbacterium.
›Tarry Residues
Tarryoilresiduesaredumpeddeliberatelyandaccidentallyinbothinlandandmarineenvironmentsbyships,boatsandindustrialprocess.Signsoffloatingoilandpetrolindicateanunsuitableswimmingenvironment.
› The Maximum Safe Sea State
Currentspeedanddirectioncanbeverylocalised,varyinggreatlyovershortdistancesasbottomcontoursandshorelineconfigurationalterboththecurrent’sspeedanddirectionofflowaswellasspinningoffeddies.TheinformationtheOpenWaterSwimEventOrganiserneedsisusuallyavailablefromtheCoastguardorBritishWaterways.AminimumcurrentisdesirableforanOpenWaterSwimeventbutisunlikelytobeachievedinariverwithaconstantcurrentandinoff-shoreswims.Acircuitouscoursecancanceloutthealternativeeffectofspeedingupandslowingdowntheswimmerbutgenerallyswimmingintoacurrentorswimmingatanangletoacurrentcanbeverytiring.Theeffectsofwavesandswellhavesimilareffectsandaneventshouldtakeplaceatasufficientdistancefromtheshoretoavoidundertowsandriptides.
› Maximum Wind Speed
AnOpenWaterSwimeventshouldnottakeplaceingaleforcewindconditionsanditiscertainlyimpossibletoconductanOpenWaterSwimeventwithwavesinexcessof0.2m.Therefore,itisrecommendedthatOpenWaterSwimeventsshouldnottakeplaceinconditionsabovetheBeaufortScale2,unlessthecourseisshelteredfromprevailingwinds. (See Appendix K)
› Forecast of an Imminent Electrical Storm
Theweatherforecastfortheeventdayshouldhighlightthepossibilityofelectricalstormsandthisinformationshould,beconveyedtotheparticipantswiththeappropriateplansforcurtailingtheevent.Avisualwarningofanimpendingelectricalstormusuallygiveatleast15minuteswarningofelectricaldischargesreachingtheEventcourseandsuchavisualwarningshouldimmediatelyactivatetheevacuationproceduresoutofandawayfromthewater.
› Interference on the Course by Other Boat Users
Thecoursemustbemadesafefrompossibleinfringementfromotherboatusersandinparticularfastboatsandjetskis.Ifrequired,securitycraftmustbeemployedtopreventotherwatercraftenteringtheeventarea.Thesesecuritycraftarenottobeconfusedwithswimmersafetyboatswhosesoleresponsibilityisswimmersafetyandwelfareandsecuritycraftshouldnotexerciseamulti-purposesafetyrole.
PHySICAL CONTAMINATION
› Glass
Discardedglass,particularlybrokenglass,canbeamajorhazardinshallowwaterandattheentryandexitpointstoOpenWaterSwimmingevents.Theareamustbesearchedandifnecessaryclearedbeforetheeventisallowedtogoahead.
› Plastics
Hardplasticsarealsocapableofcuttingskinandthesamediligenceasappliedtoglassshouldbeobserved.SoftplasticsandpolythenethatfloatscanbeanentanglementandatrawloftheswimmingareashouldbeundertakenpriortotheOpenWaterSwimmingeventtoremoveanysuchhazards.
› Waste/Litter
Inadditiontoglassandplasticstheremovalofallotherhazardouswasteshouldbeensuredandinparticularpaper,cardboard,rubberproducts,tincansandcanpullsetc.
› Sewerage
Likeoil,dieselandpetrolshipsandboatsfrequentlydischargeuntreatedsewerageintowater.Visualsignsoffloatingsewerageindicateanunsuitableswimmingenvironment.Considerthefollowing:
• pollutionlevels
• currentsandtides
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
TheRiskAssessmentwilldetailexpectedconditionsandidentifyatwhatpointachangeinconditionsshouldtriggersomeactionbytheSafetyOfficer.Deteriorationintheweatherorlightconditions,areductioninwatertemperature,changeintidalfloworwaveheightwillallcontributetoanydecisionbytheSafetyOfficertoalterthecourse,curtailorcanceltheevent.
TheminimumtemperatureshouldbetakenasspecifiedintheNationalAssociationorFINARulesasappropriate.ForallOpenWaterSwimmingalternativeplansshouldbemadeincaseenvironmentalfactorsmaketheswimunsafe–theseplanswilldictatewhethertheeventiscurtailed,postponedorcancelled.
OPEN WATER AREA ORGANISATION
Thearrangementsoftheeventmustbeconsidered:
• whohastheresponsibilityfortheOpenWaterSwimmingarea?
• isthereexclusivityofuse?
• istheresharedusewithotheractivities?
• ifuseissharedwhataretheimplications?(e.g.lifeguardingresponsibilities)
STAFFING
Theskillsandexperienceofstaffandtheratioofswimmerstocoaches(training)andlifeguards(trainingandcompetition)areimportantandconsiderationneedstobegivento:
• competencies,qualificationandnumberofcoachesandlifeguardsrequired;
• competencies,qualificationandnumberoffirstaidersrequired;
• skillofcoachesandlifeguards;
• degreeofsupportandhelpprovidedbyappropriatehelpers;
SWIMMERS AND ABILITy
Thefactorstobeconsideredinclude:
• ageofswimmers;
• rangeoftheirswimmingability;
• abilityofswimmerstocomprehendinstructions;
• numberofswimmers;
AfullRiskAssessmentwillbecarriedout.TheresultsofthiswillbeanintegralpartoftheSafetyCase.TheOrganisingTeamwillmakesurethatthechoiceofwaterforanOpenWaterSwimmingeventissuitableforthepurposeandthatthecompetitorsarenotbeingplacedinanydangerduetothelocationorconditionoftheselectedwater.BeforeanareaofOpenWaterisusedforanevent,dependingonwhetheritisasea,lakeorriver,thefollowingpointsmustbeconsidered:
• site conditions:
– accessforcompetitorsandofficialsandemergencyservices;
– startandfinishpoints–entryandexithazards,particularlyunderfoot;
– proximityofstartandfinishpointstochangingandbriefingfacilities;
– provisionoftoiletfacilities;
– emergencyexitpoints–laterexitpointswhereswimmerscangetashoreinemergency.
• water conditions:
– temperature–likelytemperatureonthedayandminimum/maximumacceptabletemperature;
– currentsortides;
– waterquality(toEECstandard);
– clarityofwater;
– minimumdepth–notlessthan1matanypoint;
– maximumwaterdepth;
– otherwaterusers.
• weather conditions:
– normalweatherforthetimeoftheyear;
– likelihoodofelectricalstorms;
– wind,effectonthewaterconditionsandriskofwindchill.
• other hazards:hidden,overhangingorunderwater;
TheRiskAssessmentwillformpartoftheSafetyCase,whichwillalsonoteresultsofconsultationswithregularusersofthechosenwater,includingbutnotlimitedto–fishermen,lifeguards,canoeists,recreationalboaters,divers,windsurfers,waterskiersandjetskiers.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | SAFETYMANAGEMENT
GENERALSITE ISSUESTRAVEL TO AND FROM VENUE
TheRiskAssessmentprocessforthedayoftheeventmuststartwiththeaccessibilityoftheeventsite.OpenWatersitesareoftennoteasilyaccessiblebyconventionaltravelarrangementsandcanbequiteremotefromtraditionaltrafficroutes.Therefore,itisessentialthattheapproachestothesitearewellsignpostedbytheEventOrganisersandthatthereissufficientspacetoaccommodatecarparkingandcoachparkingatareasonabledistancefromtheeventstart/finishpoint.Volunteersmayberequiredtomanthecarparkandsupervisetrafficflowsintoandoutofthesite.
CONFIGURATION OF COURSE
Theconfigurationofthecoursewillbedeterminedbythesitegeographyandthedistanceoftheevent.Variationswillincludeatraditional‘loop’courseusuallywithalapdistanceof1,000m.Thishastheadvantageofthecoursebeingabletobeadjacenttothebankorbeachwithlandbasedlifeguardsbeingdeployed.
Attheotherendoftheconfigurationwillbethesinglelineardistanceswim,whichcannormallyonlytakeplaceinaverylargelake,maritimebayorestuary.Fromasafetyperspectivethisistheworstscenariotosuperviseastheswimmerscanbeataconsiderabledistancefromlandduringthemiddleperiodoftheeventandonlymarinecraftsupervisionisavailable.
ACCESS AND EGRESS
Therewillbeavarietyofavailableaccess/egresspointsforOpenWaterSwimmingevents.Fromahealthandsafetyperspectivethesafestinvolveawadeintothewaterandan‘in-water’start;inthiscaseabeachentryisoftenuseful.However,thisassumesthatthebottomprofileoftheOpenWateraccesspointisasafe,solidandanunrestrictedarea.Theavailabilityofajettyor‘pontoon’extendingintothewatermaybeanadvantageforcontrolledstarts.
AstartthatrequiresloweringorjumpingintodeeperwaterismorehazardousandtheEventOrganisersmustbesurethatthebottomprofileoftheeventareaissafeforthisentrymethodtobeemployed(seeDivingandJumpingintoswimmingpoolsandOpenWaterareas).
Theremustalsobeasuitable,safeandfaireventfinishpointthatallowstimestobeaccuratelyrecorded.FINARulesrefertoaverticalwallpreferably5mwidebutnotlessthan2.5mwide.Videofootageofthefinishisalsodesirable.
Specialconsiderationshouldbegiventoanywaterareabetweenthefinishpointandtheexitfromthewaterasthismay,bydefault,beanunsupervisedwaterarea.
Additionallyatthestart/endoftheeventtheremustbesufficientdrylandareatomanagetheentryandexitcontrolsystem.
SHALLOW WATER
Shallowwaterisgenerallyadisadvantageasitincreasesthepossibilityofcollisionswithunderwaterobstructions.Awaterdepthoverthelengthofthecourseinexcessof2misdesirable.However,FINARulesstatethataminimumdepthof1.4matanypointinthecourseisrequired.Alternatively,inthecaseofmassparticipationeventsandjunioreventsitmaybeapositiveadvantageforswimmerstobeabletostandwhenfatigued;therefore,itisimportanttobeawareofthebottomconditionandensuretheyarenothazardousandprovideafirmfooting.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | GENERALSITEISSUES
FEEDING STATIONS
Feedingstationsmustbesecurelyfixedandnotsubjecttotide,windorothermovements.Feedingpolesarenottoexceed5minlength.Noobjects,ropeorwiremayhangofftheendofthefeedingpolesexceptnationalflagswithadimensionof30cmx20cm.Theswimmer,whenfeeding,maystandonthebottomifpossible.Accordingly,itisessentialthatthedeptharoundthefeedingplatformisindicatedtotheswimmersandthatanyshallowwaterareaissafeandclearofdebris.
Thenumberandsizeoffeedingstationswillbedeterminedbyariskassessmentthatwilltakeintoconsiderationthewaterandairtemperatures,waterconditionsandthenumberofparticipantsandtheirsupportcoaches.
Forexample:
• for races less than 5 km: nofeedingstationsarerequired
• for races between 5 km and 10 km: aminimumof1(one)feedingstationisrequired.
• for races of 10 km (or longer):aminimumof2(two)feedingstationsarerequired
EVENT ADMINISTRATION
EventadministrationmustobviouslycomplywithFINARulesand/ortheNationalAssociationsLawsandRegulationsbutinadditioneventadministrationmustensurethatEnglishHealthandSafetyLegislationorsafetylegislationofanyotherrelevantauthorityorjurisdictioniscompliedwith.TheprimerequirementistoundertakeawrittenRiskAssessmentoftheeventandtheeventsiteandadministertheeventwithintheparametersoftheOpenWaterSafetyOperatingProcedures.
VACCINES
NocompulsoryvaccinationsarerequiredforOpenWaterSwimmingintheUKbuthepatitisA,polio,typhoid,andtetanusarerecommended.RecommendedvaccinationsforotheroverseassitesarelistedontheForeign&CommonwealthOfficewebsiteatwww.fco.co.uk.
TRAVEL OVERSEAS
Travellingtoeventsoverseascanbeeffectedintwoways;eitherwitharecognisedBritishSwimmingTeam,NationalAssociationorclubteam,orasanindependentindividual.Travellingwitharecognisedteammayprovidesignificantsupporttotheswimmerandmayprovideadministrativeandsafetysupport.
Travellingandenteringaneventabroadasanindividualcanoftenmeanthattheswimmerisleftoutofthebriefingsystem.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF THE EVENT SHOULD PROCEED
The obvious responsibility as to whether an event should proceed or not is the responsibility of the Event Organiser in the persons of the Chief Referee, Safety Officer, Medical Officer and Course Officer who will normally make a decision collectively; although in the event of disagreement the final decision shall be made by the Safety Officer.
DecisionstoabortaneventwillnormallybemadeiftheRiskAssessmentoftheeventindicatesthatsafetyguidelinesarenotmetandthattheOperatingProcedurescannotbeadjustedtocreateasafeenvironmentfortherace.AdvicegiventotheEventOrganisersbylocalexpertsintheeventsitei.e.Coastguard,localEnvironmentalHealthOfficerandParkRangershouldbegivenseriousconsiderationanditwouldbenormalpracticetoabortaneventifsuchadvicesuggestedthatcourseofaction.
Itisunderstoodthatinvariouscircumstancesswimmers,teamleadersandcoachesmaybeuncomfortablewiththeEventOrganisersdecisiontoproceedwithanevent.Thisconcernmaybecausedbyalackofcommunicationorbecausethevariouspartiesdisagreeoverthesafetyparametersoftheevent.ForthisreasonitisimportantthattheOperatingProceduresfortheeventareclearlyidentifiedandthattheRiskAssessmentoutcomeisclearlyrecordedandavailabletoview.
If a swimmer decides that the conditions for the event are unsafe even though the Event Organiser has decided to proceed; the swimmer is entitled to withdraw.
Equallyduetoaswimmer’sdesiretomeetqualificationstandards,pressuremaybeappliedtocontinuetheracedespiteunsuitableandunsafeconditions;thesepressuresmustberesisted.
At all times, the priority must be to safeguard the health and safety of participants. The outcomes of the event must never influence such decisions.
SAFE SUPERVISION
› Types of Supervision and Roles
SupervisionoftheOpenWatereventsitecanbeachievedbyavarietyofmethodsbutgenerallythecloserandmorepersonalthesupervisionthesafertheswimmeris.Forexample,aerialsupervisionfromahelicoptercangivesomestartlingandimpressiveviewsoftheraceandmaywellbeusedbytelevisionformajoreventsbuttheabilitytospotaswimmerindifficultiesispoorandthemeanstoaffectarescueevenless.
› Land Based Lifeguard
Ifthelocationoftheeventpermits,landbasedlifeguardsarepreferredbecausetheyareonstablegroundcancommunicatequicklyandeasilywithotherlifeguardsandeventorganisers,canberelievedeasilyandcanbeprovidedwithequipmenttoassisttheirrole.Zoningoftheeventareacanbemorelogicallydefinedwithabetterunderstandingbythelifeguardofhisspanofcontrol.
› Supervisory Craft
Dependingontheenvironment(off-shoreorinlandwater)therecanbeavarietyofsafetycraftstationedalongthecourse.Itisimportantthatsupervisorycraftcanreachastrugglingswimmerquickly;sosmall,lightboatsaremoreusefulasafirstcontactcrafti.e.canoesofvarioustypes.However,thecanoeorcraftmustbesufficientlyrobustandbalancedtoallowaswimmerattheveryleasttoholdonsecurelywhilstbeingtakentotheshore.
› Spotters
Aspotterisanunqualifiedhelperassistingthelifesavingsupervisionpersonneltoobservetheraceparticipants.Thespottersmustbeadditionaltothequalifiedandcompetentlifesaversandnotbeseenasasuitablereplacementforlifesaversoraspartofthecalculationforadequatespanofcontroloftheevent.Thespottersshouldbesupervisedbyanallocatedcompetentlifesaverinhisallocatedzone.
› Safe Supervision
ToachievesafesupervisionofanOpenWaterSwimeventthereshouldbeanadequatenumberofcompetentlifesavers.Thiscanbeinterpretedasaratiooflifesavers to swimmers;orlifesavers to area.
Thisisthedefinedspanofcontrol.
› Span of control & the number of safety staff
LifesavertoSwimmer:theUKhasseveralexistingspansofcontrolexpressedintermsoflifesaver:swimmerthesecan
befoundinthedocument“SafeSupervisionforSwimmingTeachingandCoaching”andtheserelatetoprogrammedswimmingactivitiesinswimmingpools.Themostsignificantratioreferstocompetentclubandcompetitiveswimmersbeingsupervisedbyacoach/lifesaverataratioof30:1.
Lifesavers:Area:theUKhasseveralexistingspansofcontrolexpressedintermsoflifesaver:area.Thesecanbefoundin“ManagingHealthandSafetyinSwimmingPools”andtheserelatetoun-programmedswimmingactivitiesinswimmingpools.Themostsignificantratioreferstoaswimmingpoolareaof1000m²andsuggestsaminimumlifeguardprovisionof4andaminimumnumberoflifeguardsinbusyconditionsas6.
ItcanimmediatelybeseenthatthesespansofcontrolarenotappropriateforOpenWaterSwimmingfortworeasons.
1. thenumberofparticipantsinanOpenWatereventfarexceedanycurrentlifesaver:swimmerratio;and
2. anOpenWatereventgenerallytakesplaceinanareanolessthan50,000m².
Applyingthelogicasappliedinswimmingpoolswouldsuggestalifesavingprovisionof300lifeguardsper5kmevent!
Logicdictatesthatthespanofcontrolmustinevitablyrelatetoareaandtheinternationallyrecognizedconceptof10:20(Ascannedsupervisionzoneof10secondsandanincidentresponsetimeof20seconds.However,althoughthe10secondzonescanisfeasiblethe20secondresponsetimemaynotbeduetotheconfigurationoftheOpenWatercourse).Thecoursemustbezonedtocreateidentifiablesectionsoverviewedbythecompetentlifesaver.Thesizeofthesezonesisopentointerpretationastheconditionsofthecoursewillinfluencevisionandreactiontime.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | GENERALSITEISSUES
Anadditionalwaytoreducethespanofcontroltomanageableproportionswhenalargenumberofswimmersareparticipatingistosendthecompetitorsawayinwaves,eitherbyagegroupingorsex.Itisrecommendedthat‘waves’shouldnotexceed100swimmersintotalandthisshouldcontainthenumberofswimmersineachsupervisedzonetomanageableproportions.
Byusingthisassessmentmethoda1kmcoursewouldneedapproximately20lifeguardsspreadalongthecourse.
Thisshorelifeguardrequirementcanbereducedifkayakorjet-skimountedlifeguardsareplacedontheoppositesideofthecourse.
Morecomplexcourselayoutswouldneedtoplacelifeguardsatappropriatepoints.
Forexample:
Turning Boat & Lifeguard
Feeding Station & Lifeguard
Jet Ski Spotter
Feeding Station & Lifeguard
Turning Boat & Lifeguard
Start & Finish
Spottersandlifeguardsonboatswillincreasetheirsupervisioncapacitybyoperatingoninteriorlineswherepossible,thusreducingdistancestoswimmers.
› Competencies – Lifeguarding
AswiththespanofcontrolthereareindoorswimmingpoollifeguardandlifesavingcompetenciesthatarenotentirelyappropriateforOpenWaterSwimmingconditions.ThemostappropriateUKqualificationistheRLSSBeachLifeguardqualificationbutagainitisprimarilyforun-programmedactivities.Additionally,itisunlikelythatsufficientlifeguardswiththeappropriatequalificationswillbeavailableforanyindividualevent.
However,itisnotinappropriatetoutiliselifeguardswiththeRLSSNationalPoolLifeguardQualificationforSwimmingPools,particularlyinmorebenigninlandlakes,andgeneralRLSSLifesavingqualificationsthathavesufficientrescueskillsincorporatedintotheircompetencies.
Equivalentqualificationsandcompetencieswouldexpecttobeappliedforeventsinothercountriesbytheagenciesprovidingtraininginlifesaving.
› Response times
Rescueresponsetimeswillvarybasedontheconditionsonthecoursebuttheobjectivemustbetominimisetheresponsetoareasonabletime.Thisisachievedwherethelandisfarfromtheeventcoursebytheuseofrescueboatsandcanoes.
PARTICIPANT PROFILE
JustlikeinmajorlandbasedmarathonracesparticipantsinOpenWaterevents,especiallythelongerdistanceswimsmustacceptthatthereisagreaterelementofpersonalriskandresponsibilitybytheswimmerandthismustbeanimportantconsiderationwhenriskassessingtheeventandcommunicatingthehazardstotheswimmers.
AstheprofileoftheparticipantsiscriticaltothesafetyoftheeventitisnecessaryfortheEventOrganiserstotakeprecautionsby‘vetting’theparticipantstoestablishtheirsuitabilitytotakepart.
› Age
FINARulesrequireswimmerstobeatleast14yearsofageforanyevent.
ASARegulation(410.4)requiresthefollowingminimumagestoapplyforeachevent:
Events up to and including 1,000m 11 years
Events up to and including 2,000m 12 years
Events up to and including 10,000m 13 years
Events over 10,000m 16 years
› Competence – Participant
Forcertaineventsqualifyingtimesfromswimmingpooltimetrialsareacceptedasanindicatorthatacompetitoriscompetenttoswimatthedistancerequired.However,inmassparticipationeventsthereisnosuchrestriction.Promotersareadvisedtoseeksomeindicationoftheswimmerscapabilitiespriortotheeventeitherbyaself-certificationprocessorbycoachcertificationprocess.
ItmaybeappropriatefortheEventOrganisertostipulateaConditionofEntry.Forexample:
• Byenteringthe1kmswim,youwilldeclarethatyoucanswimatleast2000mnon-stopinapool(theequivalentof60lengthsina25mpool)
• Byenteringthe5kmswim,youwilldeclarethatyoucanswimatleast75000mnon-stopinapool(theequivalentof240lengthsina25mpool)
• Byenteringthe10kmswim,youwilldeclarethatyouhavealreadyswuma5kmevent.
› Experience
ArecordofaswimmersexperienceatswimmingOpenWaterdistancesisagoodindicatorofcompetence.
OpenWatereventsdonothaveturnsandshortswimmentalityi.e.25m&50m;organisersandswimmersshouldbeawarethatswimmingadistanceinaswimmingpoolandswimmingthesamedistanceinOpenWaterisnotnecessarilycompatibleanditisrecommendedthatcompetitorsshouldbeabletocomfortablyswimdoubletheopenwaterracedistanceinapool.
CONTROL OF SWIMMERS
AnunderstandingofFINARulestheNationalAssociation(ASA)OpenWaterSwimmingLawsandRegulationsisessentialforofficials,swimmersandcoaches.
› Visual
TheprimarycontrolofswimmersduringaneventwillbevisualbytheEventOrganiser’sofficialsandlifeguards.Theuseofbinocularsmaybeanessentialtooltoaidvisualawareness.Additionalcontrolscanenhancesafetysuchastheuseoftechnology,theregistrationprocessandheadcountsatturningboatsorfeedingstations.
› The Use of Technology
TechnologyisausefultooltocontrolanOpenWatereventespeciallythosewithlargenumbersofparticipants.Obviouslytimingequipmentisimportantandanyelectronicsystemthatrecordsthecompletionoftheswimandexitoftheswimmerfromthewaterisavitalindicatorofcompletion.Recordingtheentryandexitofswimmersfromthewaterbothatthestartandfinishbutalsoatintermediatepointswhereswimmersretirefromtheevent.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | GENERALSITEISSUES
› Registration
Fromasafetyperspectiveitisimportantthattheregistrationdetailsarecorrectandthatregistrations,competitorsandissuedracenumbersandhatscorrelate.
DURING THE RACE
› Start
ThestartofanOpenWaterSwimracecanbefromafixedplatformorfrominthewater,shallowwaterdepthordeepwater.FINARulesand/orASALawsandRegulationsdonotstipulatethemethodofentryintothewaterbytheswimmer,butfromasafetyperspectiveitisessentialthattheswimmersareawareofthedepthatthestartparticularlyifthestartisfromaplatformandwhetherornotadiveissafe.EventOrganisersshouldestablishasafemethodofentryandindicatethistotheswimmers,coachesandteammanagerspriortotheevent.
› Finish
Wherepossiblethefinishshouldbeaverticalwallatleast5mwideandshouldbeclearlymarkedbyarowofbuoyswhichnarrowastheygetclosertothefinishwall.
AutomaticOfficiatingEquipmentusedfortimingcompetitionsthatincludeatransponderwornonthewristofeachswimmerisanadditionalsafetyfeaturethatensuresallcompetitorsareaccountedforattheendoftheevent.
› Finish to Water Exit
Supervisionofswimmersmustcontinueacrossthisarea.
› Course
Whereverpossiblethecourseshouldbedesignedtomaximisesafesupervision,thiswouldpreferablypermitbothlandbasedandwaterbornelifeguardingthatminimisesthespanandzonesofcontrol.
› Entrance to/Exit from Water Procedure for not Finishing the Race
Fromasafetyperspectiveswimmersthatdonotfinishtheracehaveanincreasedriskfactorasthereasonfornotfinishingtheracemaybedue,forexample,tofatigueand/orillness.TheproceduremustensurethattheEventOrganiserrecordsthatthenumbersinthewaterhavereducedandthisinformationshouldberelayedtotherelevantlifeguardingpersonnel.Areviewofswimmersthatdonotfinishtheraceshouldbeundertakenpost-racetobuildupaprofileofswimmerissuesanddevelopanawarenessofdifficultiesthatswimmersexperiencebothwiththeirownperformanceandtheeventcourse.Thisinformationmaybeinvaluableforfutureevents.
› Types of Equipment/Craft
Thenumberofboatsandtheirrolesaredefinedbythecourseconfiguration,sizeandnumberofswimmers.Inadditiontothereferee’sboat,theracejudge’boatsandtheturnandfinishboatsanumberofallocatedrescueboatsandcanoesarerequiredtoeffectrescuesofswimmersintrouble.
BoatsusedinOpenWatercompetitionsundertheNationalAssociationLawsandRegulationscanbeidentifiedbytheirroles.Thethreemainrolesare:
Safety Boat: hasaremitcoveringthewholeofthecourseandcompetitors.Theywillbeusedtocarryeventofficialssuchas,referees,thecourseofficerandracejudges.Ineventsofover10kmracejudgesinsafetyboatswillbeallocatedtoanindividualswimmerandwillcarryouttherolesoftheescortsafetyboat.
Escort Safety Boat:aspecialtypeofsafetyboatusedonlyineventsover10km.Ithasthesamefunctionsasageneralsafetyboat.However,itisdedicatedtoasingleswimmerandwillcarrytheswimmer’scoachorrepresentativeaswellasaracejudgeandtheboatcrew.
Rescue Boat:afastboatcapableofnavigatingthewholecoursequickly.Theobjectwillbetomonitorthewholecourseandbecapableofrescuinganyswimmer,boatcreworspectatorwhomaygetintodifficultyduringtheevent.Noraceofficialwithadutyofjudginganytechnicalaspectoftheeventshouldbecarriedonboard.
Communicationswillbebyradio,keepingintouchwiththeSafetyOfficer,refereesandotherbodiessuchasthecoastguard.Personnelontherescueboatsshouldbecompetentlifesaversanditmaybeadvisabletohaveatleastonerescueboatwithtrainedrescuescubadiversaboardtoaffectdeepunderwaterrescue.
Boatscarryingofficialsareusuallypoweredcraftandallboatsshouldbenavigatedbyasuitablecompetentperson.
Kayak:Inadditiontodedicatedfastrescuecraftitmaybedesirabletoemploykayaksmannedbyqualifiedcanoelifeguards.ThesecanbedeployedaroundthecourseatthedirectionoftheSafetyOfficer.Theywillactasextraeyesandearslookingforactualorpotentialsafetyproblems.Theycanbeadistressedswimmer’sfirstlineofaid,providingbuoyancyandtheabilitytotowthedistressedswimmerawayfromthepacktoapositionwherearescueboatcantakeover.Ineventsof10kmandunder,akayakmaybedesignatedasescortsafetycraft.Inthiscasethekayakbecomes/actspurelyasaguide,safetyboatandfirstlineofrescue.
Jet-Skis: Jet-skishaveapoorreputationandaregenerallybannedfromswimmerareas;thisisprimarilybecauseofalackofcompetenciesoftheusersandlimitedmanoeuvrability.However,ifthecompetenciesofthejet-skierscanbeverifiedtheycanbeusefulsafetycraftsandhavetheabilitytotowfloatingstretchers.Singlemanjet-skishavelimitedvalueanditisrecommendedthattheidealjet-skiisatwomancraftwherethepassengercanbealifeguardwhocanaffectarescueifrequired.Thejet-skicanthentowanytiredorinjuredswimmertotheshorebyuseofaharness.
› Safety features of craft
SeeAppendixE–BoatEquipment
CHANGING
Changingandtoiletfacilitiesshouldbesufficientforthenumbersinvolvedandbesafeandhygienic.Thereshouldbeasuitablesystemofsecuringclothesandpersonalbelongings,whichareleftattheriskoftheowner.
MEDICAL
Firstaidandmedicalcoverareessential.Itisnormaltoprovidefirstaidfacilitiesonsitewhilstmedicalcovermaybeprovidedbyanemergencycalltoalocalhospitaliflocatednearby.However,itispreferabletohaveaqualifieddoctoron-site.
The Safety Case should highlight a worst-case scenario and recommend a minimum number of competent first aid helpers. As a guide there should be at least one qualified first aider to 40 competitors and where conditions dictate this ratio should be reduced accordingly. It should be noted that RLSS NPLG Lifeguards have first aid competencies and contribute an effective support to the first aider complement. However, with mass participation events such a ratio is clearly unrealistic but it is absolutely essential in such events to have a qualified doctor and emergency services on site.
› Siting of Medical Facilities:
• firstaidcovershouldbeincloseproximitytothefinisharea;
• additionalfirstaidcovercanbelocatedatsuitablepointsonthecourseifthereisadequateaccessandthesafetycasehashighlightedapotentialriskarea;
• itmaybeadvisabletohavearescueboatwithtrainedfirstaidstaffonboard.Thisisparticularlylikelyinthecaseofalongseaswimwhichhasnoshoreaccessapartfromthestartandfinish;
• allfirstaidstationsshouldhavedirectcommunicationwiththeEmergencyServicesaswellastheracecontrol.
› Re-hydrating
Themainreasonforfeedingstationsistomaintaintheswimmersenergylevelsandpreventdehydration.Thisisparticularlyimportantinboththelowerandhighertemperaturerange.Thecoldwaterenvironmentcansapaswimmer’senergyquicklyandhotwaterandhotairtemperaturescandehydrateaswimmer,neitherconditionisreadilyapparenttotheswimmer.Theroleoftheswimmer’scoachisoftenvitalinensuringthattheswimmermaintainsanenergyandfluidintakethroughouttherace.Re-hydrationisoftenatacticaldecisionatelitelevelandmustbehandledbyboththeswimmerandcoachcarefully.Manyswimmersattheelitelevelcarrygelpacksasanalternativeorinadditiontofeeding.
› Facilities in case of Hypothermia and Overheating
Facilitiesforhypothermiashouldincludeadequatetowelstodrytheathlete,blanketstowrapandspaceblankets,warmdrinksaswellasappropriatemedicalequipment,suchasalowreadingdigitalthermometer.Foroverheating(apotentiallyveryseriousmedicalconditionleadingtohyperthermia/heatstrokewithhighmorbidity/mortality)thereshouldbefacilitiestore-hydrate,conductivecoolingtechniqueswithicepacks,useoffans/airconditioningandmistingtheskinwithtepidwaterwhilstavoidingvasoconstrictionorshiveringwhichwillexacerbatetheproblem.
Topreventoverheatingisbetterthantreatmentandswimmersmustbeadvisedoftheneedtoacclimatise,haveadequatefluidinput/hydration,keepcoolwithappropriateshelter/hatspre-race,tepidshowerafterandensuringtheraceisnotatthehottestpartoftheday.
COMMUNICATION
Generalefficientcommunicationaroundthecoursebetweenofficialsandsafetystaffisessentialandisusuallyachievedbymeansofradios,althoughinsomecircumstancesmobilephonesareuseful.Thereshouldbeatechnicalbriefingfortheofficialsandstaffandaracebrieffortheswimmersandcoaches.Theseareseparatemeetingstoensuretheinformationiskeptconciseandrelevanttothoseattending.
› To Athletes
Thetimingofthebriefingsforcompetitorsshouldbeincludedontheentryform.Thecompetitorsbriefingshouldtakeplaceinanareathatallowstheexpectednumberofcompetitorsandswimmers’representativestogatherandheartheinformationclearly.Itshouldbeheldwithsufficienttimeallowedforswimmerstocompletetheirpre-racepreparationsandifnecessarytotraveltothestartposition.Anyinformationupdatescanbepassedonatthebriefing.Ifnecessaryapublicaddresssystemshouldbeused.IfthebriefingisintheopenairaPAsystemisessential.TherefereewillleadthebriefingwithassistancefromtheSafetyOfficerandtheMedicalOfficer.
› Among Safety Staff
Thesafetystaffshouldbemadeawareofthecourselayout,thenormalandemergencyproceduresrelatingtothecourse.Theyshouldbeawareoftheirdutiesandhowthesafesupervisionoftheswimmersistobemaintained.Alltheinformationrelatedtotheswimmerswillalsobegiventothesafetystaffandofficials.(SeetheOfficialsbriefing)
› To Emergency Services
TheemergencyservicesthatcoverthelocationoftheOpenWaterSwimmingeventneedtobeinformedwellinadvanceofthedayofthenatureoftheeventandthepotentialhazardsandrisksinvolvedsothattheycanplantheirresponse.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | GENERALSITEISSUES
› Equipment/Control of Communication & Limits/Barriers to Communication Language
Ininternationaleventslanguagemaybeabarrier.AlthoughtheofficiallanguageofFINAeventsisEnglishandFrenchthepossibilityofbriefingscoveringamultiplicityoflanguagesispossibleandswimmersandcoachesmustensurethatallsafetyaspectsoftheeventarefullyunderstoodpriortothestart.
› Lack of Competence to Use Equipment
AllequipmentusedatanOpenWaterSwimmingeventshouldonlybeusedbyofficialswhoaretrainedandcompetentinitsuse.Thisisofparticularimportancewithregardstocommunicationequipmentandsafety,medicalandfirstaidequipment.
› Contingency Plans
TheEmergencyActionPlanfortheeventshouldincludecontingencyproceduresintheeventoftheswimnotgoingaccordingtoplan.
RACE FACILITIES – SHORE SIDE
Thefollowingaresomeofthefacilitiesthatshouldbeconsideredintheplan:
• parkingforcompetitors,spectatorsandofficials,suitablysignposted;
• registrationarea;
• briefingfacilities;
• toiletfacilities;
• changingfacilities;
• secureareatostowclothesandpersonalbelongings(atowner’srisk);
• refreshmentfacilitiesforcompetitors,officialsandspectators;
• dopingcontrol(ifrequired).
DRUG TESTING
TheEventOrganisersmaybeinformedthatadopingcontrolteamwillbepresent.TheOrganisationTeamshouldprovideadditionalpersonneltoassistandarrangeforasuitablesecludedareafordopingcontrolinaccordancewiththeBritishSwimmingAnti-DopingRules.Race technical officials should not be withdrawn from their duties to assist doping control.
COMMUNICATIONS
EveryOpenWatereventwillhavetechnicalofficials,boatsandsafetyorganisationspreadoutoveraconsiderablearea.Itisessentialthatkeypersonnelareabletocommunicatewitheachother.Thefollowingisalistofkeypersonnelwhomayrequiretobeprovidedwithcommunications:
• referee(s);
• assistantreferees;
• safetyofficer;
• courseofficer
• turnjudges;
• racejudgesinboats;
• racejudgesonlandatremotelocations;
• racecontrol;
• announcer;
• chieffinishjudge;
• chieftimekeeper;
• firstaidlocations.
TheSafetyCaseshouldidentifythelevelofcommunicationrequired.Mobilephonescanbeused,however,theyarenotidealastheSafetyOfficerneedstobeabletocontactallkeypeoplequicklyinthecaseofemergencyorworseningconditionsandthatisnotpossibleiftheyhavetocalleachoneseparately.Radiocommunicationisthepreferredmethod.Smallpersonalradioscanbehiredforthedayorpurchasedforlongertermuse.Moreover,waterproofcasingsshouldbeobtained.Duringinternationaleventssometeamschoosetheirownradiostocommunicatewithotherteammembers.Theseradiosshouldnotinterferewiththeradiofrequencyoftheeventandiftheydotheremaybearequirementtouseraceeventradiosormobilephonesonly.Intheeventofteamsusingtheirownradiostheywillneedtofitintothecommunicationplan,anditmaynotbepossibletousetheseradiostocommunicatewithraceofficials,thereforetheoperatorofthepersonally/teamownedradiomustbeabletobalancethecommunicationstoensuretheydonotmissimportantraceinformation.
› Setting up the System
Whatevercommunicationmethodischosenthereisaneedtoensurethatitwillworkefficientlyoverthewholeofthecourse.Smallportableradioswillnotcommunicatesuccessfullyoveradistancegreaterthan2-3kmunlessthereisaboosterstationonthenetwork.ThesitevisitcarriedoutbytheSafetyOfficer,CourseOfficerandPromotershouldcarryoutasurveyoftheareatoidentifyanyradioblackspotsorrangelimitations.
› Communications Plan
PriortotheeventtheSafetyOfficerwillnominateallpersonnelwhoaretobeusingradios.Acallsignwillbeallocatedtoeachofthem.Acallsignlistwillbeproduced
andproduceacallforallofthem.Thiswillbethecommunicationplan(orcomplan).Thecomplanwillalsonoteanyimportanttelephonenumberssuchascoastguard,hospitalorpolice.Anykeypersonnelwhoarewillingtousetheirmobilephonescansupplythenumberforinclusiononthecomplan.Thesewillthenensureabackupfacilityincaseofradiofailure.AnexampleofacomplanisincludedwiththesamplesafetycaseatAppendix D.
› Public Address
Somemeansofmakingannouncementstoswimmersandspectatorsshouldbeprovided.Thiscanalsobeusedforbriefingsiftheseareheldintheopenair.APublicAddresssystemcanbehiredforthispurpose.RacecommentarycanalsobebroadcastoverthePAsystem;thecommentatorshouldbeaknowledgeablepersonwhounderstandsthesport,theswimmersandlocalpersonalities.Aloudhailer/megaphonemayalsobeused.
FINANCE
› Event Budget
TheEventOrganisersneedaracebudget.Withoutthisitisnotpossibletocalculateincome,expenditure,committedfundsorthebalanceoftheaccountattheendoftheevent.Aracebudgetwillneedtobeapprovedinadvancebytherelevantgoverningofficersandthefinancialresponsibilitiesclearlydelegated.Possibleexpenditureitemsinclude,butarenotlimitedto:
• hiringthevenue;
• hiringtemporarycompetitorfacilities(tentsforchanging,secureareas);
• hiringtemporaryspectatorfacilities;
• insurance;
• publicaddress(PA)system;
• firstaidhelpers;
• boathire;
• canoeclubs;
• communicationsnetwork;
• policefortrafficorcrowdcontrol;
• refreshments;
• swimcaps;
• publicity;
• promotionalmaterialsuchaspoloshirtsforofficials.
› Entry Fees: ThesettingofanentryfeeisadecisionmadebytheOrganisingTeam.
› Insurance:InorderforanindividualtoreceivethebenefitofASAinsurance(iftheeventisanASAevent)theindividualmustbeamemberoftheASA/SASA/WASAinfullorasatemporarymember.
AnyPromoterstaginganeventshouldensuretheyhavetherelevantandappropriateinsuranceinplacefortheeventpriortorunninganyevent.
› Sponsorship:Important,asentryfeesareunlikelytocoveralloftheexpensesofstagingasafeOpenWaterevent.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | GENERALSITEISSUES
RACE DAy ORGANISATIONREGISTRATION
Theregistrationprocedureshouldbeincludedontheentryformorinaninformationpack.Allcompetitorsshouldknowtheprocedurebeforethedayoftheevent.
Anareashouldbemadeavailableforregistrationthatcancopewithanumberofentries.Thereshouldbeaclearlydefinedentranceandexitpointwithmarshalstoensurenounduedelayoccurs.
Theregistrationofficialsshould:
• checkcompetitorinformationiscorrect;
• ensurethatthedeclarationissigned,andincludesrelevantmedicalinformationandabilitytoswimthedistance;
• checkthecompetitoragainstlistofentrantstodeterminestarters;
• issueracenumbers;
• issueracehats.
Note: The registration area is also a good place to have a race information board with race details and any last minute changes to the published programme.
EVENT BRIEFING – COMPETITORS
Thereshouldbeaseparatebriefingforcompetitorsandtheircoaches.Whereonlythecoachispresenthe/sheshouldberesponsibleforcommunicatingtheinformationtohis/herathletes.Thetimingofthebriefingsforcompetitorsandcoachesshouldbeincludedontheentryform.Thecompetitorsandcoachesbriefingshouldtakeplaceinanareathatallowstheexpectednumberofcompetitorsandswimmers’representativestogatherandheartheinformationclearly.Itshouldbeheldwithsufficienttimeallowedforswimmerstocompletetheirpre-race
preparationsandifnecessarytotraveltothestartposition.Anyinformationupdatescanbepassedonatthebriefing.Ifnecessaryapublicaddresssystemshouldbeused.IfthebriefingisintheopenairaPAsystemisessential.
TheRefereewillleadthebriefingwithassistancefromtheSafetyOfficerandtheMedicalOfficer.
› The briefing will cover:
the race: thespecificaspectsdictatedbythevenueandtheeventincluding;
swimmer identification: theprocedureformarkingtheswimmerswiththeirracenumbersshouldbeclearlyexplained.Thisshouldbedoneafterthecompetitorshavechangedbutbeforetheyhaveappliedanygreaseorsunoil;
acclimatisation:entryintothewaterbeforetheracetoacclimatisethebodypriortotheeventstart;
the start: allcompetitorsshouldknowthestartprocedure.Itisworthrehearsingtheprocedureduringthebriefingtoensurethattheparticularrequirementsoftheeventareclear;
the course: theRefereeshouldbesatisfiedthatallcompetitorsunderstandtheroutetheywillswimandwhattheyareexpectedtodoatturnpointsandthefinish.Instructionsshouldbesimpleifpossible;
the finish: thelayoutandtheapproachtothefinishshouldbeexplained;
after finishing: theprocedureforleavingthefinishareaandthewater.Thisisespeciallyimportantifthereareretirementsfromtherace,andhowtheyshouldbedealtwith.
› Environmental conditions:
weather: currentairtemperature,sun,wind,forecastforchangesthroughouttheperiodoftherace;
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | RACEDAYORGANISATION
water:temperature,currentortidalflow,waves,likelyeffectsofthewind,waterquality,andanyhealthwarningsrelatedtothewaterquality.Forecastforchangesthroughouttheperiodoftherace;
safety: pointsthatallshouldbeawareofincludingthenormalandemergencyprocedures;
medical: whatmedicalprovisionsareinplace?
(See the Swimmers briefing)
EVENT BRIEFING – OFFICIALS
Wherepossible,technicalofficialsshouldbesentinformationpacksexplainingtheirduties(termsofreference)inadvanceoftheevent.Thisinformationshouldcoverallofficials,sothatindividualsareawareofhowtheirdutiesinteractwithothers.Copiesoftheofficials’briefingnotesshouldbeshouldbegiventoallofficialsontheday,preferablylaminatedtomakethemwaterproof.
TheRefereewillconductthebriefingonthedayoftheeventwithassistancefromtheSafetyOfficerandtheMedicalOfficer.Thebriefingwillcoverthespecificdutiesrequiredbythevenueandtheevent.Safetyaspectsthatallshouldbeawareofincludethenormaloperatingproceduresandtheemergencyproceduresplusthemedicalandothersafetyprovisionsthatareinplace.Alltechnicalofficialsandboatcrews,includingcanoelifeguardsshouldbeincludedinthisbriefing.
AnexampleofabriefingformatforbothswimmersandofficialsisincludedintheSampleSafetyCaseatAppendix D
CLERKS OF THE COURSE
Theclerksofthecourseareresponsiblefor:
• markingthecompetitor’snumberprominentlyinwaterproofinkontheshoulders,upperarmsandbacksofhands;
• checkingthatfingernailsandtoenailsareclippedshort;
• checkingthatnojewelleryorwatchesareworn;
• callingthecompetitorstothewateratthestart-thisisnormallydoneinracenumberorder-butcompetitorsenterthewatertogether;
• handingthecompetitorsovertotheRefereewithalistofanyregisteredswimmerswhohavenotstarted;
• managingthewelfareofswimmerswhoretirefromtheraceuntiltheircoachorrepresentativecantakeover;
• managingthewelfareofallcompetitorsatthefinishuntiltheircoachorrepresentativecantakeover.
STARTER
Thestartershouldbeawareofanyconstraintsimposedbythestartareaandthepreciseprocedurehewillbefollowing.Thisshouldincludedetailofhowthestartropeistobedeployedandwherehewillbelocated,ashore,oronthewater.He/sheshouldbeawareoftherespectivedutiesoftheclerkofthecourseandtherefereewithregardtothestart.
TURN JUDGES
Turnjudgeswillbeallocatedtoaturn.Theywillbegivenwritteninstructionsregardingtheirduties,whichwillinclude:
• theexactlocationoftheturnposition;
• whattimetheyshouldbeinpositionandhowtheywillbetransportedtothatposition;
• radiocallsignandinstructiononhowtousetheradioandtheradiocallproceduresinuse;
• recordingswimmersastheypasstheturnpoint,ifpossiblethisshouldbepositive;
• identificationoftheswimmerbyracenumber,wherethatisnotpossibletheymustbeabletogiveanaccurateheadcount;
• notinganyinfringementoftheturnproceduresonarecordsheet;
• reportinginfringementstotherefereebyradio;
• actingasracejudgefortheareaofthecourseintheirview;
• actingasasafetyobserver;
• handingthecompletedrecordsheetstothechiefjudgeoncompletionoftheevent.
RACE JUDGES
Racejudgeswillbeallocatedanareatopatrol.Theywillbegivenwritteninstructionsregardingtheirduties,whichwillinclude:
• theexactlocationandrangeoftheirpatrolarea;
• whattimetheyshouldbeinpositionandhowtheywillbetransportedtothatposition;
• radiocallsignandinstructiononhowtousetheradioandtheradiocallproceduresinuse;
• theyshouldrespondtospecificdirectionsfromthereferee;
• ifallocatedtoashoreposition–patrollingtheirdesignatedareaofbeachorbankwithaclearviewoftheswimmers;
• ifallocatedtoaboatdirectingtheirboattopatroltheareaallocated;
• theyshouldobserveswimmersintheirsightatalltimesforcompliancewiththelawsofracing;
• reportinganyinfringementsofracelawsorsafetyrequirementstotherefereeimmediatelywhentheyoccur,preferablybyradio;
• actingasasafetyobserver.
CHIEF JUDGE
Achiefjudgewillbeappointedto:
• controltheracejudges,turnjudgesandfinishjudges;
• acceptthepre-racereportsfromturnjudgesandracejudgesandreporttheirreadinesstotheassistantreferee;
• receivetheturnjudgesreportsheetsoncompletionoftherace;
• withthefinishjudges,placeallcompetitors;
• decidethefinalplacings;
• appendtheagreedtimestoeachplace;
• reporttotheRefereewiththefinalplacingsandareportofanyplacesheisunabletoresolve.
FINISH JUDGES
Ateamofthreejudges,includingtheChiefJudge,willbeappointedforeachevent.Eachteamwillbeallocatedtotheirevent.Itmaybenecessarytohavemorethanoneteamoffinishjudgesifthereareseveraleventsbeingconductedinonerace,forexample,theNationalAgeGroupswhichcombine2000m,1500mand1000mevents.Finishjudgeswill:
• observeeveryswimmerinhisallocatedraceastheyfinishandkeeparecordofthe;
• placingsbyrecordingtheirracenumber;
• ensurethatthefinishcounttallieswiththeotherracejudgeatregularintervalsinorderthatanydiscrepanciescanbespottedandisolatedearly;
• oncompletionoftheracepassinghiscompletedfinishlisttotheChiefJudge.
TIMEKEEPERS
Achieftimekeeperandatleasttwotimekeeperswillbeappointedforeachevent.Timekeeperswillbebriefedto:
• bepresentatthestartingpoint;
• starttheirtimeronthestartsignal;
• ensuretheyhavemeansoftravellingtothefinishareaifthisisaseparatelocationtothestart;
• recordthefinishingtimeofallcompetitorsintheireventusingthesplitfacilityontheirtimer;
• wherepossiblerecordcompetitor’snumberagainsttheirtimetoactasreferencepointsfortheChiefJudge;
• handthecompletedtimesheettothechieftimekeeper;
• keeptheirtimersrunninguntilinstructedbythechieftimekeeperafterallthecompetitorshavefinished.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | RACEDAYORGANISATION
SAFETy CASEASafetyCasewillbearecordofallrelevantplanningandpreparationtasksandwillspecificallyincludetheriskregistercompletewithactionstakentomitigateidentifiedrisks.Itwillalsoincludeprocedurestobefollowedintheeventofanemergency.Thedocumentwillbedevelopedincrementallyasplanningprogressesandauthorisationsarereceived.Typically,theSafetyCasewillcoverthefollowingtopics:
• Planning:
– organisationteamdetailsincludingcontacts;
– authorisations;
– relevantlocaldepartmentsandemergencyservices;
– resultsofasitesurvey;
– riskassessment.
• NormalOperatingProcedures;
– promoter’sconditions;
– eventsitelayoutandprocedures;
– coursedetails;
– briefingnotesforswimmers;
– termsofreference,(role),forallofficials;
– briefingnotesforofficials;
– listofsafetyboatstobeused;
– operatinginstructionsforsafetyboats.
• EmergencyOperatingProcedures;
– emergencyrolesforofficials;
– evacuationprocedures;
– emergencycommunications;
– emergencymedicalprocedures.
• ListofCompetitors
• ListofTechnicalOfficialsandOtherHelpers
• CommunicationChannels
ItisnormalfortheauthorisingbodytorequestadraftSafetyCaseatthetimeofgrantingpermissionforeventplanningtoproceed.TheSafetyCasewillbecompleteoncethecompetitionentriesareclosedandafinallistofcompetitorsineacheventisknown.ThelocalauthoritymayrequestacopyofthisfinalisedSafetyCasebeforegivingthefinalgoaheadontheday.
Anylatechanges,whichaffectthecourseorothersafetyaspects,willbebriefedonthedayoftheeventtotheswimmers,swimmers’representativesandtechnicalofficials.Wherepossibleprintedamendmentswillbepostedattheeventheadquartersandcopiesgiventoeachsafetyboat.
AtypicalSafetyCaseisincludedat Appendix Dasanexample.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | SAFETYCASE
APPENDIX A: THE INCIDENT PREVENTION STRATEGy – WHy PEOPLE DROWN?
ACCIDENTAL DROWNING 2005 & 2009 (STATISTICS PROVIDED By ROSPA AND WATER INCIDENT DATABASE WAID)
THE DROWNING PROBLEM
Drowningisafinalanddeadlycondition.Thereislittlechanceforthosethatgetintodifficultiesonorinwater,especiallywaterthatisdeeporfastflowing,andcold.Mostofthosewhocannotswimwilldrowninafewseconds.Sadlythosethatcanswimalsodrownclosetothebankwithinaveryshortperiodoftimeafterenteringthewater.
ThenumberofaccidentaldrowningdeathsintheUKfor2005issuspectedtobe435.ThefigurespeakedinJunewhen64peopledrowned.AsignificantfactorintheJunefatalitieswasthefloodingthatoccurredthroughoutEngland.Statisticsfor2009aresimilarshowingthat405peoplehadacauseofdeathclassifiedasdrowning48ofwhichwereclassedasswimmingatthetimeandnearlyathirdofthesecasualtieswereinariver.Augustsawthehighestincidentlevelandtheweekendbeingthemostcommondayofoccurrence.
STATISTICS
• basedonatotalUKpopulationof60.2million,thesuspectedaccidentaldrowningrateper100,000ofpopulationis0.72
• deathsamongsttheunder15’sremainedfairlystaticat39(previousfigureforthelastthreeyearshasbeen40)andofthisfigurethetotalof16under5’swasonlyonelessthanthepreviousyear
• accidentaldeathsarehighestintheagerange36-60
• thereareroughly80UKcitizensthatdrownabroadeveryyear(475drowningsbetween2000and2005)
MALES AGED 15-45
• 31%ofallaccidentaldrowning
• makeupalmost40%ofinlandwatersitedrownings
• 137diedduetosuspectedaccidentaldrowning
• 66%diedatinlandwatersites
• under19’smakeupthelargestgroupdrowningeachyearwhilstswimming,with13-18yearoldsbeingthehighestgroup
• deathsinmalesarethreetimeshigherthanfemales
LOCATION (ALL AGES)
Inland 234
Coastal Zone 130
Residential Location 38
Sea 26
Swimming Pool 7
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXA
SUB-LOCATIONBath 25 6% River, stream, etc 137 31% Inshore 76 17%
Garden Pond 6 1% Lake 50 11% Other 25 6%
Other 3 0.7% Canal 44 10% Dock/Harbour 18 4%
Swimming Pool 2 0.2% Other 3 0.7% Cliff 11 3%
Floods 2 0.5% Reservoirs (included in lakes above)
10 2%
By ACTIVITIES/BEHAVIOUR
At Sea
Co
ast/Sho
re/Beach
Harb
ou
r/Do
ck/Marin
a/Port
Drain
/Well/Pit
River
Can
al/Aq
uad
uct
Lake/Lock/Lo
ug
h
Dry G
rou
nd
Pon
d
Poo
l (Swim
min
g)
Qu
arry
Reservo
ir
Bath
(inclu
des jacu
zzi’s, ho
t-tub
s)
Stream/D
itch/B
urn
Water C
on
tainer
Total
Suicid
e Susp
ected
Angling 7 6 2 5 5 2 27
Bath 19 19
Climbing/Cliff 4 1 1 1 7 2
Commercial 11 2 2 1 16
Flooding 5 5
Jumping/diving in 3 2 5 1 2 13 65
Manually powered boats 2 2 1 7 3 1 15 2
Motor vehicle 4 1 2 4 1 1 3 17 2
Motorboating 2 1 2 4 3 12
Person on ice 1 4 1
Person/object in water, person of uncertain status
4 11 4 1 39 14 11 2 3 1 94 82
Person water craft 2 2
Sailing 4 1 2 1 1 9
Sub aqua diver 14 2 3 1 20
Surfing 1 3 4
Swimming 8 8 1 15 3 2 5 3 3 48 1
Walking/running 2 21 4 2 24 8 1 2 5 2 4 2 1 78 1
Waterside activity/in water play
1 3 3 3 2 12
Windsurfing/Kitesurfing 1 4 1 6
Total 57 75 24 5 107 28 32 11 16 5 7 11 19 7 1 405
Suicide suspected 5 59 7 63 5 5 5 2 1 2 1 155
Notes
A: Countincludesdeathsbyaccidentalandnaturalcausestotalling405cases.B: Inadditionthereare155caseswheresuicideissuspectedorconfirmed.Theseareshowninitalicsinthelastcolumn,andhavebeenexcludedfromsubsequentanalysis.C: Excludes132incidentswhereinformationiscurrentlytoouncleartoformanopinionontheintentofthedeceased,theiractivitywhentheincidentoccurred,orwhethertherewascriminalintentinvolved.D:The11casescategorisedunderdrygroundreferredtolocationswhicharenotnormallywatercoursessuchasfloodedareas.
A PREVENTATIVE STRATEGy – THE DROWNING CHAIN
Themostpositivewayofcounteringdrowningistoprevententryintothewaterinthefirstplace.Itisessentialtocounteroneofthefactorswhichcontributestodrowningassoonaspossible,andcertainlybeforethestageofpossiblerescueisreached.Thesefactorsformlinksonwhatwerefertoas‘TheDrowningChain’,i.e.thepossiblecombinationofeventsthatleadtodrowning.Anyplantopreventdrowningmustaimtobreakoneoftheselinksandsoavoidtheultimatefate.
THE LINKS IN THE CHAIN ARE:
1. Ignorance, disregard or misjudgement of danger Aninterventionismostsuccessfulifitbreaksthisfirstlinkinthedrowningchain.Througheducationcomesrecognitionandthereforeavoidanceofdanger.Thedangeristhenrecognised,respectedandavoided.
2. Unrestricted access to hazards Thecountertothesecondlinkinthedrowningchainistodenyaccesstothehazard.Thismaybedonebywarningofdangerorbyotherwisepreventingpotentialcasualtiesfromenteringintodanger,forexample,fencing.
3. Absence of adequate supervision Absenceofadequatesupervisioncanonlybecounteredbymorecompetenttrainingandapplication.Thosewhoguardthelivesofotherscanonlyeverbetotallyvigilant.
4. Inability to save yourself, or be rescued Ifthedrowningchainisstillintact,andthevictimhasnotbeen‘saved’whilestilloutofthehazard,onlythefourthandfinallinkremains!Nowonlyself-rescue,orrescuebyanotherperson,canavoidtheworstconsequences.
Althoughrescueisapooroptioninanypreventativeplan,thisdoesnotmeanthatitshouldnotbeconsideredandencouragedwhereappropriate.Otheroptionsshouldhavegreaterprioritybecausetheyhavemorechanceofsuccess.
ItcanbeseenthatOpenWaterCompetitiveEventsbreaktheDrowningChaineffectivelybypreventingunrestrictedaccess,providingadequatesupervisionandeventmanagementandassessingthecompetitor’sability.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXA
APPENDIX B: NATIONAL WATERSAFETy SIGNS
There are three main types of water safety signs around open water. Each one has its own meaning, but all of them work to the same system.
Inadditiontothewatersafetysigns,youwillalsofindinformationsignstellingyouwherethetoiletsareorwhereyoucangetfirstaid.Theywillalsotellyouwherethepublicrescueequipmentisheld.
Signs that warn you of danger are always:
• Triangleshaped
• Yellowbackground,withblacksymbols
• Theyareplacedtohelpyouspotahazardthatisnotalwaysobvious
Theymeanthatyoushouldbeawareofsomething.
Signs that mean you should not do something are always:
• Aredringshape,withalinerunningthrough
• Whitebackground,redlineandblacksymbolsorshapes
• Theyinformyouofthingsyouarenotsupposedtodo
Thesesignstellyouthatitwouldbedangeroustodosomething,orgointhatplace.
Signs that mean you should do something are always:
• Blueandcircleshaped
• Whitesymbolsorshapes
• Theyinformyouofthingsyouneedtodo
Thesesignstellyouthatyoushoulddosomethingtobesafe.
Thesesignsshouldneverbeignoredunlessanopenwatercompetitionhassecuredtheremovalofthehazardi.e.theremovalofsurfacecraftfromthedesignatedcompetitionarea.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXB
CM
YC
MM
YC
YC
MY
K
Man
dato
ry
Mandatory Signs give instructions
to do something.
White on Blue.
MandatoryIn
form
atio
n
Information
Pro
hib
ition
Prohibition Signs tell you notto do som
ething.
Black and Red on White.
Prohibition
Haza
rd
Harzard Signs w
arn ofpotential hazards.
Black on Yellow.
Hazard
These are not safety Signsbut give general inform
ation.
Black on White.
No personal w
ater craftto be used
No sw
imm
ingN
o snorkelling equipment
No sub-aqua equipm
entN
o divingN
o sailingN
o windsurfing
No row
ing
No m
otorised craftN
o water skiing
No surfboarding
No inflatables in the w
aterN
o runningN
o outdoor footwear
No fishing
Snorkelling area
Swim
ming area
Fishing area
Sub-aqua area
Beware - diving area
Beware - strong currents
Beware - thin ice
Beware - sailing area
Beware - slipw
ayBew
are - windsurfing area
Beware - row
ing area
Beware - m
otorised craft areaBew
are - water skiing area
Beware - surfboarding area
Beware - deep w
aterBew
are - shallow w
aterBew
are - sudden drop
Mandatory action -
life jackets to be worn
i
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents,RoSPA H
ouse, Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Birmingham
B5 7STTelephone 0870 777 2171 / 0121 248 2000Fax 0870 777 2199 / 0121 248 2001Registered Charity N
o. 207823VAT Registration N
o. 655 1316 49
APPENDIX C: CHECKING WATER QUALITy
The Directive 2006/7/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 February 2006 is concerned with the management of bathing water quality. This Directive lays down provisions for the monitoring and classification of bathing water quality; the management of bathing water quality; and the provision of information to the public on bathing water quality.
ThepurposeofthisDirectiveistopreserve,protectandimprovethequalityoftheenvironmentandtoprotecthumanhealthbycomplementing Directive 2000/60/EC.
TheDirectiveshallapplytoanyelementofsurfacewaterwherethecompetentauthorityexpectsalargenumberofpeopletobatheandhasnotimposedapermanentbathingprohibition,orissuedpermanentadviceagainstbathing.Itdoesnotapplyto:
(a) swimmingpoolsandspapools;
(b) confinedwaterssubjecttotreatmentorusedfortherapeuticpurposes;
(c) artificiallycreatedconfinedwatersseparatedfromsurfacewaterandgroundwater.
ThemainobjectiveoftheBathing Water Directives (76/160/EEC and 2006/7/EC)istoprotectpublichealthandtheenvironmentfromfaecalpollutionatbathingwaters.MemberStatesarerequiredtoidentifypopularbathingareasandtomonitorwaterqualitytherethroughoutthebathingseason,whichinEnglandrunsfrommid-MaytotheendofSeptember.ItisquitelikelythatOpenWaterSwimmingCompetitionswilltakeplaceatthesedesignatedsites.
TheoriginalDirective(76/160/EEC)setsanumberofmicrobiologicalandphysio-chemicalstandardsthatbathingwatersmusteithercomplywith(“mandatory”standards)orendeavourtomeet(“guideline”standards).Thetwomainstandardsusedtoassessthequalityofbathingwateraretotalcoliformsandfaecalcoliforms,whicharebacteriafoundinthegutsofhumansandotherwarm-bloodedanimalsandareindicatorsoffaecalpollution.
ResearchintobathingwaterandhumanhealthsincetheoriginalDirective’sintroductionin1976hasledtothedevelopmentoftherevisedBathingWaterDirective(2006/7/EC)listedabove,whichwillbeimplementedinstagesbetweennowand2015,whentheoriginalDirectivewillberepealed.TherevisedDirectiveusestwoparameterstoassesswaterquality,Escherichiacoliandintestinalenterococci,usingafouryeardatasetforeachsetofresults,andsetsmuchtighterstandardsthantheoriginalDirective.
Therewillbefourclassificationcategories:Excellent(approximatelytwiceasstringentasthecurrentGuidelineStandard);Good(similartothecurrentGuideline);Sufficient(approximatelytwiceasstringentasthecurrentMandatoryStandard)andPoor,forwaterswhichdonotcomplywiththeDirective’sstandards.
Therewillbeanewrequirementforinformationaboutwaterqualityandpotentialsourcesofpollutionatbathingwaterstobeprovidedonsignsandviatheinternet.Regularreviewsofthelistofbathingwaterswillbecarriedoutandthepublicwillbeencouragedtoparticipateinthereview.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXC
KeydatesfortheintroductionoftherevisedDirectiveare:
• 2011: TheEnvironmentAgencywillpublishaprofileforeachbathingwaterinEnglandandWales
• 2012: Signsmustbeinplaceatallbathingwatersbythebeginningofthebathingseason.TheEnvironmentAgencywillbeginmonitoringusingtheparametersoftherevisedDirective
• 2014: FinalbathingwaterreportusingthestandardsofthecurrentDirective
• 2015: Firstsetofclassificationsusingthenewparameterswillbepublished,basedonthedatasetcommencedin2012
• 2016: NewclassificationswillappearonthesignsusingsymbolsthatarebeingpreparedbytheEC
LEGISLATION AND ADMINISTRATION
TheBathingWaterDirectivesareadministeredinEnglandbyDefraandintherestoftheUKbytherelevantDevolvedAdministration.BathingwaterenquiriesinScotland,WalesandNorthernIrelandshouldbedirectedtotheScottishExecutive,WelshAssemblyGovernmentandDepartmentofEnvironmentNorthernIrelandrespectively.
TheDirectiveisimplementedintheUKbythefollowingregulatoryauthorities:
• England and Wales: TheEnvironmentAgency
• Scotland:ScottishEnvironmentProtectionAgency
• Northern Ireland:NorthernIrelandEnvironmentAgency
AlsoformingpartofthetransposinglegislationistheBathing Waters (England) Notice 2008,issuedbytheSecretaryofStatefortheEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairson26September2008.Itrevokesthenoticesgivenundersection83(1)oftheWaterResourcesAct1991andunderparagraph3(1)(a)ofSchedule1totheBathingWaters(Classification)Regulations1991on5May1992,14February1997and13June2003.
BATHING WATER PROFILES
TherevisedDirectiverequiresMemberStatestoestablishaprofileforeverybathingwaterbasedonthephysical,geographicalandhydrologicalcharacteristicsofthebathingwaterandassessingtherisksofpollution.Theprofileswillprovidekeyinformationforinclusioninthegeneraldescriptionofthebathingwateronthesigns.TheEnvironmentAgencywillcompleteitsworkonprofilesofbathingwatersinEnglandandWalesbyMarch2011.
TheEuropeanCommissionhasproducedanexplanatorydocument,Bathing Water Profiles: Best Practice and Guidance(PDF,Europawebsite)http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-bathing/pdf/profiles_dec_2009.pdf
BATHING WATERS IN THE UK
Duringthe2010bathingseason413bathingwatersweremonitoredinEngland,80inWales,82inScotlandand24inNorthernIreland,makingatotalof599bathingwatersacrosstheUK.Ofthesesites587arecoastalorestuarinewatersand12areinlandfreshwatersites.
DESIGNATION OF NEW BATHING WATERS IN ENGLAND
TherevisedDirectiveaimstokeepbatherswellinformedaboutwaterqualityandencouragestheparticipationofthepublicinitsimplementation,particularlyinreviewingthelistofbathingwaterssothatitincludesallbeachesandinlandwatersthatareusedbylargenumbersofbathers.A“largenumber”isregardedasanumberconsideredtobelargeinrelationtopasttrendsortoinfrastructureandfacilitiesprovidedtopromotebathing.
Informationabouthowtoapplyforabeachorinlandfreshwatersitetobeidentifiedasbathingwater,includingthecontactdetailsfortheBathingWaterteamatDefra.
ThecurrentlistofbathingwatersinEnglandcanbefoundhere:
• Bathing waters in England in 2010 (PDF,40KB)http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/waterquality/bathing/documents/list-of-bathing-waters-2010.pdf
BATHING WATER MONITORING RESULTS IN ENGLAND AND THE UK 2010
Thebathingwatermonitoringresultsforthe2010seasoninEnglandandtheUKwereannouncedonthe15November2010:
• 2010 results summary tables(PDF189KB)http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/water/waterquality/bathing/documents/bathing-water-results2010.pdf
• Information bulletin (15November2010)http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2010/11/15/bathing-news/
AdetailedsummaryreportofmandatorycomplianceresultsforUKbathingwatersforallparametersundertheDirectiveisavailablehere:
• 2010 summary report for UK bathing water monitoring results (PDF370KB)http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-bathing/pdf/profiles_dec_2009.pdf
MANDATORy STANDARDS
MeetingthemandatorywaterqualitystandardsoftheBathingWaterDirective(76/160/EEC)istheminimumlegalrequirement.Mandatorystandardsaregivenfor10parameters:totalcoliforms,faecalcoliforms,salmonella,enteroviruses,pH,colour,mineraloils,surfaceactivesubstances(detergents),phenolsandtransparency.TheDirectivealsosetstheminimumfrequencyatwhichbathingwatersshouldbesampled.
Casesofnon-compliancewiththephysio-chemicalparametersareextremelyraresocomplianceintheUKeachyearisnormallydeterminedbytheextentofpollutionbytotalandfaecalcoliformbacteria.
Tocomplywiththesestandards,bathingwatersmustnotexceedvaluesof10,000totalcoliformsper100mland2000faecalcoliformsper100mlin95%ofsamples.
In2010,97.6%ofbathingwatersinEnglandcompliedwiththesemicrobiologicalstandards,with10ofthe413watersfailingtomeettheminimumstandardsoftheDirective.
ThetablebelowshowspercentagecompliancewiththemandatorystandardsfortotalandfaecalcoliformsinEnglandonlyandintheUKoverthelastdecade.
yEAR ENGLAND % COMPLIANCE
UK % COMPLIANCE
2001 97.8 95.3
2002 98.5 97.8
2003 98.8 98.4
2004 98.3 97.7
2005 98.8 98.4
2006 99.5 99.5
2007 97.8 96.5
2008 96.1 95.8
2009 98.3 97.7
2010 97.6 97.3
GUIDELINE STANDARDS
TheBathingWaterDirectivealsosetsmorestringentguidelinemicrobiologicalstandardsthatMemberStatesmustendeavourtoobserve.
Tocomplywiththeguidelinestandards,bathingwatersmustnotexceedvaluesof500totalcoliformsper100mland100faecalcoliformsper100mlin80%ofwaterqualitysamples,and100faecalstreptococciper100mlin90%ofsamplestaken.
In2010,72.5%ofallbathingwatersinEnglandmetthistighterstandard.ThisistheguidelinestandardthatconstitutesthewaterqualitycriterionoftheinternationalBlueFlagawardscheme.
Thetablebelowshowspercentagecompliancewiththehighestguidelinestandardsfortotalcoliforms,faecalcoliforms,andfaecalstreptococciinEnglandonlyandintheUKoverthelastdecade.
UK GUIDELINE COMPLIANCE
yEAR ENGLAND % COMPLIANCE
UK % COMPLIANCE
2001 69.2 65.7
2002 76.4 73.8
2003 91.8 81.9
2004 78.5 78.3
2005 83.8 82.5
2006 79.7 79.2
2007 78.3 75.6
2008 70.5 68.3
2009 80.2 79.3
2010 85.5 82.3
SeetheEnvironmentAgencywebsiteformoredetailedinformationonbathingwaterqualityresultsinEnglandandWales,includingcomplianceresultsforindividualbathingwaters.
UK COMPLIANCE COMPARED WITH OTHER EU MEMBER STATES
TheUK’sbathingwaterresultsarereportedtotheEuropeanCommissioneachyeartoinformitsannualreport.
ThereportindicatesthattheUK’scomplianceratewithmandatorystandardswasslightlyabovetheECaveragebutcompliancewiththemorestringentguidelinestandardsremainedbelowaverage.Thereportforthe2010bathingseasonwillbepublishedinMayorJune2011.
TheEUbathingwaterreportassessesguidelinecomplianceusingthesamestandardsastheUKguidelinefortotalandfaecalcoliformsbutdoesnottaketheparameterforfaecalstreptococciintoaccount.ThetablebelowshowspercentagecompliancewiththeECguidelinestandardforEnglandonlyandfortheUKoverthelast10years.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXC
EC GUIDELINE COMPLIANCE
yEAR ENGLAND % COMPLIANCE
UK % COMPLIANCE
2001 69.2 65.7
2002 76.4 73.8
2003 81.8 81.9
2004 78.5 78.3
2005 83.8 82.5
2006 79.7 79.2
2007 78.3 75.6
2008 70.5 68.3
2009 80.2 79.3
2010 85.5 82.3
PROJECTED CLASSIFICATIONS UNDER DIRECTIVE 2006/7/EC
TheEnvironmentAgencyhasusedthenewstandardsandfouryearsofwaterqualitymonitoringdata(2007to2010)toassessthecomplianceratethatmightbeexpectedinEnglandandWalesundertherevisedBathingWaterDirective.
Itisimportanttoappreciatethattheseassessedresultsassumethatnofurtheractionistakentoimprovewaterquality.TheprojectedclassificationsusingcurrentdataforeachbathingwaterinEnglandandWalesareavailable:
• Projected classifications at bathing waters in England and Wales under the revised Bathing Water Directive (PDF200KB)-October2010http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/water/waterquality/bathing/documents/projected-rbwd-classifications.pdf
TheassessmentforEnglandisbasedon407bathingwatersbecauseitexcludesthosethathavebeendesignatedsince2007orhavebeenclosedtosamplersandthepublicduringtherelevantperiod.Itshowsthat88%ofbathingwaterswouldmeetatleastthe“sufficient”classification,comparedwith97.6%thatmetmandatorystandardsin2010.48bathingwatersarepredictedtobeclassifiedas“poor”.
NumberofbathingwatersinEnglandassessedtobeineachclassificationcategoryundertherevisedBathingWaterDirective(basedoncurrentwaterqualityresults):
CLASSIFICATION NO. OF BATHING WATERS
ASSESSED IN ENGLAND
% OF BATHING WATERS
ASSESSED IN ENGLAND1
EXCELLENT 209 51
GOOD 99 24
SUFFICIENT 51 13
POOR 48 12
TOTAL 407 100
OverthecomingyearsDefraandtheEnvironmentAgencywillbeworkingcloselywithstakeholderstodeterminethemostappropriatecourseofactiontobetakenatbathingwaters,particularlythoseatriskoffailingthenewstandards.
Open Water Competition Organisers must research the water quality of the designated competition area as advised by Defra.
APPENDIX D: SAMPLE SAFETy CASE
EVENT TITLE
DATE & VENUE
SAMPLE SAFETy CASE
REPORT PREPARED By
DATE OF REPORT:
INTRODUCTIONThis sample case gives examples of the procedures and hazards that should be considered when planning an event. It is not exhaustive and cannot be used as it stands. In all cases a proper risk assessment and hazard analysis must be carried out for the venue, which is to be used for the event.
AcopyoftheSafetyCaseformatcanbeobtainedfromtheSecretaryoftheSwimmingTechnicalCommitteeordownloadedfromtheOpenWatersectionoftheSwimmingWebsite.
A1. BACKGROUND
[Afewparagraphsgivingthebackgroundtotheevent,whenitwasinauguratedandwhatdistancesareswumetc].
A2. ORGANISATION
A2.1. NATIONAL/DISTRICT/COUNTy GOVERNING BODy
Contactdetails:
A2.2. LOCAL AUTHORITy
Contactdetails:
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXD
A2.3. OPEN WATER SWIMMING COMMITTEE
TITLE NAME ADDRESS TELEPHONE NUMBERS
SECRETARy & MEET DIRECTOR
CHAIRMAN
SAFETy OFFICER
LOCAL CO-ORDINATOR
A2.4. EMERGENCy SERVICES
Liaisonhasbeenestablishedwiththefollowinglocalservices:
• ambulanceservice;
• hospitalA&Edept;
• fireservice;
• police;
• coastguard
Allneedtobetoldofthedateandtimeoftheevent,thelengthofthecourse,theestimatednumberofcompetitorsandtheagerangeofcompetitors.Onthedayoftheeventtheinformationshouldbeconfirmedwithanominatedcontact.Someoftheseorganisationsmayrequestacopyofthesafetycaseincludingtheriskassessment.
A2.5. SAFETy ORGANISATION
TheSafetyOfficerisresponsibleforallaspectsofthesafetyorganisation.ThefinalassessmentoftheconditionsandsafetyorganisationonthedayoftheeventwillbemadebytheSafetyOfficerwhowillrecommendtotheRefereethattheeventshallgoaheadifheconsidersthatitissafetodoso.TheRefereecandecidetooverruleapositiverecommendationfromtheSafetyOfficer,however,anegativerecommendationfromtheSafetyOfficeri.e.theEventcannotgoahead,cannotbeoverruled. [Extend this paragraph to include the complete safety organisation in place for your event]
A3. NORMAL OPERATING PROCEDURES
A3.1. BOATS
Thenumberofboatsandtheirrolesshouldbedefinedhere.Inthisexamplethenumbersinitalicsshouldbeadjustedaccordingtotherequirementsofyourownriskassessment.
• threerescueboatsunderthedirectionoftheSafetyOfficer;
• referee’sboat;
• safetyofficer’sboat;
• tworacejudges’boats;
• twoanchoredturnboatswithtwoturnjudgesaboardeach(oneboatperturn);
• oneanchoredfinishboatwithfinishjudgesaboard;
• sixtotencanoescrewedbyqualifiedBCUcanoelifeguards.
Eachsafetyboatistocarrythedesignatedlistofsafetyequipmentasdetailedinequipmentmatrix.Allboats(exceptthecanoes)willbeinradiocontactwiththerefereesandsafetyofficer.
A3.2. RACE OFFICIALS
Thesafetyofficerwillberesponsibleforappointingsufficientofficialstoenabletheeventtobeheldsafely.Abriefingpackcontainingdetailsofdutiesandallrelevanteventandsafetyinformationwillbeprovidedforeachofficialpriortothestartoftheevent.AfulllistofOfficial’sappointmentsisincludedwiththissafetycase.
A3.3. RADIOS
TheSafetyOfficerisresponsibleforprovidingradiostothoseofficialsdesignated.Hewillallocatecallsignsandwillbriefallusersoncorrectradioprocedure.Acommunicationplanisincludedwiththeinformationpackforallappointedofficials.
IntheeventofanemergencytheSafetyOfficerwillinvokeaproceduretominimiseradiotraffic.Themessagethatwillbeusedtoinitiatethisprocedureis“All stations – Minimise”.Followingthiscallallnormalradiocallswillceaseandonlycallsthatarerelatedtomanagingtheemergencywillbeallowed.Thesafetyofficerwillbeincharge.Whentheemergencyisresolvednormalradioprocedureswillberesumedfollowingthemessage “All stations – cease minimise”.
A3.4. MEDICAL COVER
ThelocalSt.John’sAmbulanceortheRedCrosswillprovideanAmbulance,whichistobesituatedclosetotheFirstAidtentwithreadyaccesstothemainroad.ThelocalSt.John’sAmbulanceortheRedCrosswillprovidemedicalcover.
AbackuptotheStJohn’sAmbulanceorRedCrosswillbetheAmbulanceServiceoncallviathenormal999procedure.ThelocalhospitalA&Eunitwillhavebeeninformedofthedateandtimeoftheeventduringtheplanning.
InadditiontherewillbeaqualifiedMedicalDoctoronsite.
A.3.5 EVENT HEADQUARTERS
TheDistrictCouncilhasgrantedpermissiontoholdtheeventat………….andtopositionaraceadministrationareaclosetotheoldlandingstage”(OSGridTA689803).Theadministrationareawillinclude:
• aRaceControlcaravanincorporatingthepublicaddresssystem
• anambulancewithreadyaccesstotheroad
• theerectiononracedayofuptofivetentsontheshingleclosetothepromenade
Thesetentswillbeusedasfollows:
WhenwritingyourEmergencyOperatingProceduresyoucanusethesenotesasguidelines,buttheymustbetailoredtoyourownvenueandcircumstances.
A4. EMERGENCy OPERATING PROCEDURES
Thefollowingeventsareforeseenasemergencies;actionistobetakenasindicated.
A4.1. SWIMMER IN DANGER OF DROWNING
Thenearestboatistogototheaidoftheswimmers;
• aradiocallistobemadeimmediatelyinformingtheRefereeandtheSafetyofficerofthesituation;
• afastrescueboatistobecalledintogettheswimmertomedicalassistancequickly;
• thesafetyofficerwilldecidewhetheritissafeforotherswimmerstocontinue.
A4.2. WARNING OF IMMINENT ELECTRICAL STORM
Thesafetyofficerhaltsraceimmediatelybymakingaradiocall;
• boatcrewsmovetoinformswimmersadvisingthemtoleavethewaterortakingthemaboardtheirboatasappropriate;
• allactionsaretobecarefullyconsidered,hastyactionsleadtoaccidents;
• oncethewaterisclearofswimmers,theboatsaretoreturntothemooringsandthecrewtodisembarkassoonaspossible;
• allpersonnelaretogetundercoverassoonaspossible.
A4.3. OFFICIAL OR HELPER IN NEED OF TREATMENT
• ensurethepersonreceivesfirstaidasquicklyaspossible;
• assesstheseriousnessoftheinjuryandwhetherlocalmedicalassistanceissufficient;
• makearrangementsfortransporttothehospitalifrequired.Uselocaltransportifappropriate.Ifitisanemergencycalltheemergencyservicesandrequestanambulanceorcoastguardhelicopterdependingontheurgency;
• alwaysfollowuptofindoutconditionofthepersononcetheyhaveleftyourjurisdiction;
• writeareportintheincidentlog.
A4.4. SAFETy OR RESCUE BOAT ACCIDENT
• callthededicatedrescueboatstothescene
• iftheaccidentisseriousandisbeyondthefirstaidcapabilitiesoftherescueboatscallthecoastguardorthelocalemergencyservicesasappropriate
• thefirstprioritymustbetoanyhumansinvolved;
• writeareportfortheincidentlog
A4.5. INCREASE IN WIND OR SEA STATE
• thesafetyofficerwillcallforreportsfromhisofficialsaroundthecourseinordertodeterminewhetherthechangeisaffectingallareas;
• basedonthesereportsandhisjudgementthesafetyofficerwillassesstheconditionsandmakeadecisiononwhethertocontinuewiththeevent,shortenthecourseoralterthecourse
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXD
THE RISK ASSESSMENT
Thefindingsandactionstakentoreduceandmanageriskidentifiedinthisriskassessmentshouldbereviewedaftertheeventsothatreasonableadjustmentscanbemadetofutureevents.ThisRiskAssessmentshouldbeforwardedtotheASAEventsteamattheSportPark,Loughborough (see Appendix N)
CONSIDERATIONS HAZARD IDENTIFIED AND WHO IS AT RISK I.E. SWIMMER, OFFICIAL ETC
RISK FACTORHIGH/MEDIUM/LOW
ACTION TO REDUCE AND/OR MANAGE RISK
VENUE
CarparkingAccessforemergencyvehiclesObstructionsgettingontoandoffthesiteAccesstowater
ENVIRONMENT
AIR TEMPERATURE AveragefortimeofyearPredictedmaximumandminimumExpectedchangeduringeventtimescale
AveragefortimeofyearPredictedmaximumandminimumExpectedchangeduringeventtimescale
HighwatertimeLowwatertimeTidalrangeDirectionandstrengthoftidalflowsthroughoutthetimeoftheevent
WIND CONDITIONS PrevailingdirectionExpectedwindstrengths
WEATHER ExpectedweatherfortimeofyearPossibilityofelectricstorm
WATER Typeofwater(river,lake,sea)
DepthsthroughoutthecourseChangeindepthduetotides
RiskofJellyfishintheareaHazardfromseaorwaterbirds
EffectofwindonthewaterWaves,Swell,Breakers
Underwaterobstacles
WaterandsewageOutletsWaterintakes
THE COURSE
REGISTRATION AREA Isregistrationareaofsufficientsizetoaccommodatetheswimmers?
ASSEMBLy AREA ExposuretotheelementsConditionsunderfoot
START AccesstothewaterConditionsunderfoot
THE COURSE AREA DistancebetweenmarkerbuoyVisibilityofturnsTidesorcurrentsaroundturnsEffectoftidesoneachlegofthecourseLocationofthefinishVisibilityofthefinish
FINISH ExitfromthewaterProximityofswimmersequipmentandcoaches/parents
EXIT Isthewaterexitareasufficientlylargeenoughtopreventcongestion?
SAFETy SUPPORT SySTEMS
COMMUNICATIONS RadiocontactwithRNLICoastguardLocalHospitalStJohn’sAmbulanceorRedCross
RadioCoverageovercompletecourse
EMERGENCy SERVICES
EaseofcontactEaseofaccesstositePossibledelaypointsonroute:Worksentrance/exitpoints)SchoolsRoadworksNormaltrafficsituation.RushhourtimesAlternativeroutes
BOATS throughouteventQualifiedboatoperatorsPropellerguardsfittedSafetyequipmentavailable
Meansoflandingretiredswimmers:PontoonJettyShelvingbeach
LIFEGUARDS Aretheycompetent?
Arenumberssufficient?
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXD
Havetheybeenbriefed?
Aretheysupervised?
SWIMMERS
Registered
Numbered
Recordofindividualswimmerssupportsystems?
Medicaldisclosure?
Competencydisclosure?
Disclaimer
SPECTATORS
Separatedfromswimmers?
Safeviewingarea?
Numberslikelytoattend?
Isstewardcontrolrequired?
Areseparatefacilitiesrequired?
LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS
FIRE SAFETy Isstafftrainedinfirepreventionandescapeprocedures?Arestorageareasneat&tidy?Aresmokefreeregulationsenforced?Isallequipmentinstalledandusedaspermanufacturer’sinstructions?Hasadequatemeansofescapebeenconsideredintheeventofafire?
EMERGENCy PLANNING
Hasanemergencyplanbeencreated?Doesallstaffknowtheirrolesinanevacuation?Havealllikelyemergencyscenariosbeenconsidered?Fire-Bomb-PublicDisorder-Rescues-Assaultonofficials-Powerfailure.
SAFETy SIGNS Dosafetysignscomplywiththeregulations?Aretheyclear&accurate?
FIRST AID Specialrequirements(i.e.breathingapparatus,resuscitationequipment,spinalboardetc).Competencies?Adequatefirstaiders?1stAidreportingprocedures.
yOUNG PERSONS AT WORK
Areyoungpersons’adequatelysupervisedbyadults?
NEW & PREGNANT MOTHERS
Haveallpregnantofficials,workedandswimmersbeenindividuallyriskassessedassafetocarryoutthetasksallottedortheswim?
LONE WORKERS Isgeographicallyremotestaffadequatelysupervised?
MANUAL HANDLING Isallequipmentsafelyhandledandweightssuitablesoastonotcauseharmwhenmoved?
WORK EQUIPMENT Isallequipmentsuitableforpurpose?Isallequipmentingoodorderandsafetouse?Istheelectricalpowersupplysuitable?Isallportableelectricalequipmentinstalledcorrectlyandwiththerequired‘tripout’fittingsforusenearwater?Isallelectricalcablingandwiresecuredsafelytoensuretheyarenotatriphazard?
ASBESTOS Isthereanyasbestosonsite?IsthereanAsbestosPlan?Isthesitesafetouse?
WORKING AT HEIGHT
Areallladders,podiumsetcthatinvolveworkingatheightsuitableforpurposeandingoodcondition?
DOMESTIC WATER Isanydomesticwatersupplysuitabletodrink?Isitsuitablysigned?
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXD
COMPETITORS LISTS
5KM MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS
NO. NAME DOB CLUB
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
5KM WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS
NO. NAME DOB CLUB
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
BRIEFINGS
› Swimmers Briefing – Sample
A roll call ofallswimmerswillbetakenensuringthatallknowtheirallocatedracenumber.
Racenumberswillbemarkedonbytheclerksofthecourseontheshouldersandbacksofthehandsinlargeclearlyreadfigures.Numberedhatsmayalsobeprovided.Youarepermittedtowearoneswimmingcostume,whichmaybeofthebodysuittype,twoswimminghatscanbewornbutthenumberedhatmustbeontheoutside.Norings,watchesorjewelleryofanykindmaybeworn.Fingernailsandtoenailsmustbetrimmedshortandwillbeinspectedbytheclerksofthecourse.
Thecoursewillbeexplained,withvisualaids:
• lengthofcourse;
• howmanylapsfortheparticularracedistance;
• directionofrace(e.g.clockwiseoranti-clockwise);
• positionofthestartandthefinish;
• depthofwaterinfrontofastartpontoonifadivingstartispermitted;
• positionandmarkingofturnboatsandturnmarkerbuoys;
• positionofcoursemarkerbuoys;
• positionandmarkingoffinishboatandfinishfunnel;
• thenumberofofficials’boats,safetyboatsandcanoes;
• watertemperature;
• waterquality;
• airtemperature.
Beawareofthepowerofthesunandensuresufficientwaterproofsunscreenisappliedtoshoulders,backsandlegsbeforeenteringthewater,(butaftertheracenumbershavebeenmarkedon).
The start procedure:
Theclerksofthecoursewillgiveacountdownoftimetothestartandat5minutestogowillmustercompetitorsclosetothestart.Afurtherrollcallwillbetakenandyouwillbeaskedtoeitherenterthewaterasyournameandnumberiscalledortakeuppositiononastartpontoon.
Youwillstartinthewaterlinedupinfrontofthestartlineoronthepontoon.Followthedirectionsoftherefereeandthestarter.Therefereemayblowawhistletohelpmartialyouintothecorrectstartingpositionandwhensatisfiedhe
willraiseaflagandpointittowardsthestarter.Thestarterwillthenraisehisflagandwhenheissatisfiedthattheswimmersarecorrectlypositionedhewilllowertheflagandsimultaneouslysoundanairhorn.
Aftercompletingtherequirednumberoflapsswimintothefinishfunnelandtouchthefinishboatwheretheindicated.
Ifyouwishtoretirefromtheracethenturnoverontoyourback,waveanarmintheairandwaitforarescueboattoassist.Youmayswimtotheshoretoretire,butyoumustensurethatthenearestjudgeonthebeachknowsofyourretirementsothattherefereeisinformedwithoutdelay.
Aheadcountwillbemaintainedatalltimesbythereferees,turnjudges,courseofficerandsafetyofficer.
The cut-off time willbe30minutesafterthefirstswimmercomeshomeinthatevent.Afterthecutofftimetherefereewilldecidewhetherthesurvivingswimmersaretobeinstructedtoleavethewater.
Intheeventofinclementweathertheracemaybestoppedorshortenedbytherefereeasadvisedbythesafetyofficer.
Ifathunderstormisforecasttobeimminentthesafetyofficerwilladvisetherefereetoclearthewaterofallswimmersandofficials.Swimmersmustnotleavethedesignatedsafetyarea,(raceheadquarters)untilinstructedbytheSafetyOfficer.
FirstAidfacilitiesareavailableinatentstaffedbySt.JohnAmbulance.Therewillalsobeamedicaldoctorinattendance.
› Officials Briefing – Sample
Allraceofficialswillhavereceivedabriefingpackinformingthemofwhatdutiestheywillperformandwhattherolesoftheotherofficialswillbe.Thispackwillincludeadescriptionanddiagramofthecourse,normalandemergencyoperatingproceduresandinstructionsonwhatclothingandequipmentisrequired.
Onthedaythebriefingwillconsistofconfirmationofdutiesandexpectations,inadditionafinalentrylistwillbehandedoutandanychangestowritteninstructionsthatwereinthebriefing.
Radioswithacallsigncardwillbedistributedtothenominatedofficials.Alisteningwatchmustbemaintainedduringtheevent.
Whereappropriatetoyourduty,maintainaheadcountofswimmersinthewater.
Ifaswimmerretiresitisimperativethattherefereesandsafetyofficerarenotifiedimmediatelybyradio,quotingtheswimmer’sracenumberandpositiononthebeachorinwhichboathe/sheisbeingbroughtashore.Topreventfurtherexposure,ensuretheswimmeriscoveredbyablanketandanorangesurvivalbag.
Bewareofthepossibilityofsunburnandusesunscreen.
BeawareofthelocationoftheFirstAidtent.
Observetheradioproceduresdetailedonthereverseofthecallsignlist.
Intheeventofanemergencythesafetyofficerwillorderyoutominimiseradiocalls,onlyradiotrafficessentialtotheemergencywillbeallowed.Maintainalisteningwatchinordertorespondtoanyinstructions.
Thesafetyofficerwillbriefboatcrews,includinganycanoelifeguards,onthecourse,safetyproceduresandradiooperation/callsignsanddrawtheirattentiontothesafetyboatinstructionsincludedwiththeirbriefingpacks.Lifejackets will be worn when embarked in a boat.
Thesafetyofficerwillalsobriefallthosewithradiosonthecorrectwaytousetheequipmentandthecorrectcallprocedures.Radiosareanitemofsafetyequipmentandmustnotbeusedforracecommentaryoridlechatter.
Intheeventof inclement weathertheracemaybestoppedorshortened.Ifathunderstormand/orlightningareimminentthesafetyofficerwilladvisetherefereetoclearthewaterofallswimmersandofficials.Allofficialswillassistinclearingthewaterasdetailedintheemergencyoperatingprocedures.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXD
OFFICIALS APPOINTMENTS
ROLE NAME RADIO
MEET DIRECTOR
LEAD REFEREE
ASSISTANT REFEREE 1 Y
ASSISTANT REFEREE 2 Y
SAFETy OFFICER Y
COURSE OFFICER Y
STARTER Y
CHIEF JUDGE Y
TURN JUDGES Y
Y
RACE JUDGE – ASHORE Y
Y
RACE JUDGES – AFLOAT Y
FINISH JUDGES
MEN’S RACE
LADIE’S RACE
CHIEF TIMEKEEPER Y
MEN’S RACE
LADIE’S RACE
CLERK OF THE COURSE
ASSISTANT CLERK OF THE COURSE
REGISTRATIONS/RECORDER
CANOEIST COORDINATOR Y
ANNOUNCER Y
BOATS
Compileacompletelistoftheboatsthataretobeused,theirroleandcrewincludingtechnicalofficials.IncludeaseparatesetofemergencyproceduresfortheboatcrewstoexecuteiftheSafetyOfficeractivatesawaterevacuationorrescue.Thissectionwillalsocontainalistofthemandatoryequipmentthatistobecarriedontheboats.(See Appendix B)
COURSE MAP
5KM COURSE
NORTH SHORE
1165.5M
81M
14M
TOWER HEAD QUARTERS
PONTOON
EVENT CONTROL
NORTH SHORE
SOUTH SHORE
SOUTH SHORE
DIR
ECTIO
N O
F SWIM
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXD
APPENDIX E: BOATS AND EQUIPMENT
BOATS
BoatsusedinopenwatercompetitionsundertheHomeFederationLawsandRulescanbeidentifiedbytheirroles.Thethreemainrolesare:
Safety Boat: hasaremitcoveringthewholeofthecourseandcompetitors.Thesafetyboatswillbeusedtocarryeventofficialssuchas,referees,thecourseofficer,andracejudges.Ineventsofover10kmracejudgesinsafetyboatswillbeallocatedtoindividualswimmersandwillcarryouttherolesoftheescortsafetyboat.
Escort Safety Boat: aspecialtypeofsafetyboatusedonlyineventsover10km.Ithasthesamefunctionsasageneralsafetyboat;howeveritisdedicatedtoasingleswimmerandwillcarrytheswimmer’scoachorrepresentativeaswellasaracejudgeandtheboatcrew.
Rescue Boat: afastboatcapableofnavigatingthewholecoursequickly.Theobjectwillbetomonitorthewholecourseandbecapableofrescuinganyswimmer,boatcreworspectatorwhomaygetintodifficultyduringtheevent.Noraceofficialwithadutyofjudginganytechnicalaspectoftheeventshouldbecarriedonboard.Communicationswillbebyradio,keepingintouchwiththesafetyofficer,refereesandotherbodiessuchascoastguard.
Inadditiontothesethreetypesofboatitisusuallypossibletoimprovesafetybyutilizingcanoelifeguardsinkayaks.
SAFETy BOAT
› Role
Aself-propelledboatdedicatedtoaraceofficial.Theyareusedforallraceofficialsafloat.Theseincludereferees,courseofficer,safetyofficer,(ifafloat);turnjudges,starter,finishjudgesandracejudges.Theindividualcraftwilleitherbesecurelymoored(e.g.turnboats,startandfinishboats)orpatrolthecourseasspecifiedintheraceproceduresanddirectedbythereferee.Inthecaseofeventsover10km
extrasafetyboatswillbeallocatedtoescortindividualswimmers,thesewillbedesignatedescortsafetyboats.
Propulsioncanbebymotor,oars,orpaddlesandtheboatmustbeseaworthyandpowerfulenoughtonavigatethecourseaccordingtoitsrole.Theriskregisterforeachboatshouldidentifytheworstconditionsthecraftisexpectedtoexperience.
› Personnel
RaceOfficial(s)pluscompetentboatcrewsufficienttohandlethecraftunderallidentifiedwaterconditions.
Note:Boatsusedforturnsandatthestartandfinish,whicharesecurelyanchoredormoored,candispensewithseparateboathandlingcrew,howeverthenumberofoccupantsoftheboatshouldneverbelessthantwo.
› Safety Boat Equipment
(Seeequipmentmatrix)
ESCORT SAFETy BOAT
› Role
Asafetyboatthatisdedicatedtoasingleswimmer,onlyrequiredforeventsover10kmbutcanbeusedforshortereventsiftheSafetyOfficersodictates.AnEscortSafetyBoathasthesamefunctionsasaGeneralSafetyBoat;howeveritisdedicatedtoasingleswimmerandwillcarryswimmer’scoachorrepresentativeaswellasaracejudgeandtheboatcrew.TheEscortSafetyBoatwillnavigatethefullcourseactingastheswimmer’spilotboatandfirstlineofrescue.Nocontactmaybemadewiththeswimmerandtheboatmustnavigatesoasnottofoulotherswimmers.Theswimmer’srepresentativemayoffercoachingandtacticaladvicetohisswimmerandhewillprovideequipmentforfeedingtheswimmer;thisequipmentmustbesuchastoensurethattheswimmerdoesnothaveanycontactwiththeboatoritsoccupants.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXE
Propulsionmaybebymotor,oars,orpaddles.Theboatmustbeseaworthyandpowerfulenoughtostayalongsidetheswimmeratalltimesandinallexpectedconditionsincludingtheworstconditionsidentifiedintheriskregister.
› Personnel
Racejudgeallocatedtohiscraftbyrandomdraw,swimmer’scoachorrepresentativepluscompetentboatcrewsufficienttohandlethecraftunderallidentifiedwaterconditions.
› Escort safety boat equipment
(Seeequipmentmatrix)
RESCUE BOAT
› Role
Afastpowerboatthatisdedicatedtoallsafetyaspectsonthewater.Therescueboatmustnotcarryraceofficialsbutmusthaveradiocontactwiththesafetyofficer,refereeandthelocalsafetyorganisation,(i.e.coastguardorlakesafetyauthority.)
› Personnel
Acompetentboatcrewsufficienttohandlethecraftunderallidentifiedwaterconditions,plusatleastoneablebodiedpassengertrainedinwatersafetyandabletodirectoperationswhenrescuingaswimmer.ThecrewmustbeRYAqualifiedtoanappropriatelevelfortheevent,includingfirstaid.Itmaybeadvisabletohaveonerescueboatwithtraineddiversaboard.Thesafetyofficerwilldecidethisrequirementaftercompletinghisriskassessment.
› Rescue Boat Equipment
(Seeequipmentmatrix)
KAyAKS
Inadditiontodedicatedfastrescuecraftitmaybedesirabletoemploykayaksmannedbyqualifiedcanoelifeguards.Thesecanbedeployedaroundthecourseatthedirectionofthesafetyofficer.Theywillactasextraeyesandearslookingforactualorpotentialsafetyproblems.Theycanbeadistressedswimmer’sfirstlineofaid,providingbuoyancyandtheabilitytotowthedistressedswimmerawayfromthepacktoapositionwherearescueboatcantakeover.Ineventsof10kmandunderakayakmaybedesignatedasescortsafetycraft.Inthiscasethekayakbecomes/actspurelyasaguide,safetyboatandfirstlineofrescue.Onlythoseitemsofequipmentidentifiedassafetyrelatedneedtobecarried.
BOAT TyPE & FUNCTION SAFETy BOAT ESCORT SAFETy BOAT RESCUE BOAT
Safety Related equipment
Propulsive power Engineoroars Engineoroars Engine
Alternative means of propulsion Oarsorpaddle Oarsorpaddle Engineoroars+
Spare fuel (if appropriate)
Lifejackets for all personnel
Spare lifejacket (2)
Whistle
Flares
Torch and spare batteries Desirable Desirable Desirable
First Aid kit (contents appropriate to conditions)
Flag Alpha
Blankets (in sealed packets)
Survival bag
Throw line
Means of removing swimmers from the water
Race Official equipment
Radio
Whistle N/A
Timer Desirable Desirable N/A
Binoculars Desirable Desirable N/A
Pens and pencils N/A
Clipboard N/A
Event log, used to record observations and incidents
N/A
Programme of events
List of entries N/A N/A
Chart or plan of the course.
Radio call sign list
Copy of approved radio procedures
Copy of race procedures N/A
Copy of emergency plans N/A
Compass Desirable Desirable N/A
GPS (course officer only) Desirable N/A N/A
Message board for writing instructions to swimmer
N/A
Means of cleaning message board N/A
Red & yellow warning cards N/A
General for all boat occupants
Food and water
Sun protection (High factor sun cream)
Hats (plus means of attachment)
Protective clothing for all conditions
Toilet provision (desirable) Desirable Desirable Desirable
Mobile phones (desirable) Desirable Desirable Desirable
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXE
APPENDIX F: RADIO PROCEDURE
The use of two-way radios is a vital tool to enable an open water event to be run safely. To meet this requirement it is necessary to establish some simple operating procedures.
Theseshouldinclude:
• whatradiocoverisneeded;
• whatcoverageislikeoverthewholecourse;
• identifyanyradioblackspots;
• whoshouldhaveaccesstoaradioandthus;
• howmanyhandsetswillberequired;
• procedureandcallsinthecaseofanemergency–designatethecalltobeusedtowarnallradiostations;
• radiocomplanwhichcontainsthechannelallocationsandcallsigns.
Radiosandsparebatteriesmustbefullychargedbeforetheevent.Iftimeallowsitisworthtestingthestateofthebatteriestoestablishiftheyareholdingtheircharge.
Onthedayoftheeventissueradios,sparebatteries,callsignsandproceduresandbriefallradiooperators.
Carryoutaradiocheckbeforeeachevent.
CHECKING RADIO RECEPTION
TheSafetyOfficerwillconductacheckbeforetheeventstarts.
All stations this is Safety officer. Radio check, stations to respond individually when addressed, over.
ThesafetyOfficerwillthencommencetocalleachstationindividually
Station. x.. this is Safety officer – Radio check, over.
TheindividualstationswillthenrespondSafety Officer this is Station.x.. – received loud and clear.
Afterallthemessageshavebeenreceivedthefinalmessagewillbe:
All stations this is Safety Officer: - All stations loud and clear, radio check complete.
Therewillbeothercallsifanyofthestationsfailtorespondorarenotreceivingloudandclear.ThroughouttheradiochecktheSafetyOfficerisinchargeandtheotherstationsshouldonlyrespondwhenaskedto.
SAFETy MESSAGE
Asafetymessageisusedtoalertallstationsthatanemergencyhasoccurredandtostopallroutineradiocalls.Thesafetyofficerwillmakethecallandfromthatpointradiocallsshouldthenonlybemadeiftheyrelatetotheemergency.Thesafetyofficerwillbeincharge.Whenthesituationhasbeenresolvedthesafetyofficerwilltransmitthemessagethatreturnsradiocommunicationstonormaloperations.Theformofthesafetymessageswillbeasagreedinthesafetycaseandbriefedtoalloperators.TheexampleterminologygivenbelowisthatusedbytheBritishArmedForces:
• toalertthenetworkthatanemergencysituationisdeveloping“all stations – minimise”
• toreverttonormaloperation“all stations - cease minimise”
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXF
TO SEND A MESSAGE
Checktheradioisonandthatyouareusingthecorrectallocatedchannel,thebatterylevelisokandthatthevolumelevelisset.
• pressthetransmitbutton,
• pause,
• sendyourmessage,(ensurethatyouspeakclearlyandslowly),
• pause,
• releasetransmitbutton.
Thepausesarenecessarytoensurethatthestartandfinishofyourmessagegettransmittedproperly;thedurationneedbenomorethan1-2seconds.
Waitforresponse;repeatyourmessageifnecessary.
Yourmessageshouldalwaysstartwiththeidentityofthepersonyouarecallingfollowedbyyouridentity.Forexampleifyouaretherefereecallingthesafetyofficer-“Safety officer this is lead referee”.
Itisusualtowaitforaresponsefromyourtargetbeforeyousendthebodyofyourmessage.
Donotholdthetransmitbuttondownanylongerthannecessaryasthisactivatesyourmicrophoneandblanksallotherradiocalls.
Alwayscheckthatnobodyelseistransmittingbeforeyoustartyourcall.
PROCEDURAL WORDS
Thereareseveralproceduralwordsusedinradiocommunications,themostimportanttorememberare:
Over: theinvitationtoreply
Out: theendofworking
Received:usedtoacknowledgereceiptofamessage
Say again:repeatyourmessage.
Say again all after xxx: repeatyourmessagefromxxxonwards
Note:itisnevercorrecttouseOverandOut!
PROCEDURAL NOTES
• keepmessagesbriefandtothepoint
• alwaysusethecallsigns-avoidpersonalnames
• avoidusingslang,abbreviationsorswearwords
• breakalongmessageintoeasilymanagedsmallermessages
• nevertransmitsensitivepersonalinformationovertheradio
• usethephoneticalphabettospelloutnameswhenasked
• radiosareonlytobeusedforeventrelatedinformation
• someteamsmayhavetheirownradiosandthisneedstobetakenintoaccountwhenallocatingwavelengthstoensurethesafetyradiosarenotinterferedwith
EXAMPLE MESSAGES
Rescue boat one calls the safety officer
Safety Officer this is rescue one Alerts Safety Officer and warns other stations to remain silent until this exchange is complete
Safety Officer replies Rescue one this is Safety Officer Establishes the two way communication
Rescue one sends message Safety officer this is rescue one - I have two swimmers who have retired, numbers 24 and 53
Safety Officer replies Rescue one this is Safety Officer – received
The normal simple reply, however In this case there is important safety information and it is advisable to repeat the important details to confirm your understanding
Alternative, clearer message Rescue one this is Safety Officer – received - understand that swimmers 24 and 53 have retired and are safely aboard your boat
Ensures that the important safety information has been received correctly. Other stations will take note of the information
Safety Officer All stations – minimize Safety message
Safety Officer All stations – cease minimize
Safety Officer All stations this is Safety Officer – Radio check
Alerts all stations to the need to respond
Individual stations Safety Officer this is -----------, received loud and clear
Stations respond individually as requested
Safety Officer All stations this is Safety Officer: - All stations loud and clear, radio check complete
Safety Officer confirms Radio Check is complete and allows normal radio traffic to commence
THE PHONETIC ALPHABET
LETTER WORD
A ALPHA
B BRAVO
C CHARLIE
D DELTA
E ECHO
F FOXTROT
G GOLF
H HOTEL
I INDIA
J JULIET
K KILO
L LIMA
M MIKE
N NOVEMBER
O OSCAR
P PAPA
Q QUEBEC
R ROMEO
S SIERRA
T TANGO
U UNIFORM
V VICTOR
W WHISKY
X X RAY
y YANKEE
Z ZULU
NUMERAL SPOKEN WORD
1 WUN
2 TOO
3 TREE
4 FOW-ER
5 FIFE
6 SIX
7 SEV-EN
8 AIT
9 NIN-ER
0 ZERO
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXF
CALL SIGN POSITION NAME MOBILE NO
Referee Referee’s boat
Assistant Referee 1 Ashore
Assistant Referee 2 Ashore
Safety Officer Safety Officer’s Boat
Course Officer Course Officer’s Boat
Safety Boat 1 Race Judge afloat
Safety Boat 2 Race Judge afloat
Turn A A Turn Boat
Turn B B Turn Boat
Chief Judge Finish
Chief Timekeeper Finish
Race Control Announcer’s Caravan
Recorder Beach
Race Judge 1 Beach
Race Judge 2 Beach
Race Judge 3 Beach
Race Judge 4 Beach
Rescue 1 Rescue Boat 1
Rescue 2 Rescue Boat 2
Chief Lifeguard Canoe Lifeguards
APPENDIX G: EVENT TIMESCALES
This is a sample template for planning an open water event. Use the entries as a checklist when drawing up your own requirements. Remember to always allocate an individual to carry out the action and set a target date for completion.
Task Actions Target date Notes
12 to 6 months
Set up Organising committee
Identify location
Gain support from local Council
Propose possible event dates
Check for clashes with other events local and national
Fix event date
Carry out initial risk assessment
Draft event budget
Book facilities (pool, sports centre, etc)
Inform local services including police, hospitals and first aid
organisations
Apply for road closures if applicable
Identify parking options
Design courses
Gain sponsorship
Identify key technical officials and check availability
Enrol help from local swimming clubs, canoe-lifeguards and boat
owners
6 to 3 months
Identify race timings, measure and finalise courses
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXG
Finalise risk assessment
Send copy of draft safety case to local authority or landowner
Prepare and distribute event publicity (e.g. posters, web-site
entries)
Prepare and distribute entry forms
Prepare draft safety case
Book medical services
Identify suppliers of necessary equipment such as radios, swim
hats or t-shirts.
Book accommodation
Update budget
Arrange site meeting
Source an announcer
Order medals/certificates
Arrange venue dressing i.e. signage
Book PA system
3 to 2 months
Plan event site layout
Order equipment as necessary (e.g. radios, survival bags, timing
equipment)
Confirm availability of all technical officials and other helpers
Prepare event programme
Produce accreditation (if restricted access)
Organise parking stewards
Source fencing/crowd barriers
Organise catering
1 month
Accept entries and dispatch competitor information packs
Prepare technical officials duty list
Send out briefing packs to technical officials
2 weeks
Brief emergency and medical services as required
Update Local Authority
Prepare commentators notes
Prepare start list
Print off event documentation
Produce a contract card
1 week
Final meetings as required
Final equipment/supply checks
2 days
Equipment arrival
Distribute equipment
1 day
Course check
Marquee erection
Set up doping control if required
Prepare all registration
Test race communication equipment
Issue equipment to key personnel
Begin registration if possible
Pre-race conference with Organising committee
Race Day
Officials briefing
Mobilise officials and other helpers
Race registration
Check course/s ready
Check are in place
Compile final start list
Brief competitors
Start race
Judge race and monitor safety
Finish race
Check and print results
Announce results
Present awards and prizes
Retrieve equipment issued to officials
Strike camp and clean up
Prepare press release and issue to media
Debrief Organising committee and key officials
De-brief from Dope Control
Post-Race Day
Finish clean up
Check and return equipment
Post results and unclaimed awards
Prepare post event report for the ASA
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXG
APPENDIX H: EVENT CHECKLIST
EVENTDATE: VENUE: MAX.NO.COMPETITORS:LEVEL:NOVICE/EXPERIENCEDAGERANGE:
CO-ORDINATOR: TYPEOFWATER:
Criteria/Action Complete Comments
Administration & Organisation
Confirm date
Confirm venue
Local authority licence/approval
Event team selected
Named officials specified
Confirm Event Co-ordinator
Pre-event course survey
Event advertised
Entry form completed
Entry disclaimer signed by entrant
Event information pack
Closing date
Specific medical considerations
Insurance
Public Liability
Event authorised to proceed:
By whom?
Medical/safety
Pre event briefing
To officials
To competitors
Presentations post events
Post events site clearance
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXH
Officials
As per Home Federation/FINA Laws
Inter-Service Liaison
Local Authority Safety Officer
Coastguard
Harbour master
RNLI
Police
Ambulance service
Local hospital A&E
Local media
Water Users representative
Fisherman’s representative
Owners representative
Lifeguards
Fire service
Independent rescue
Venue
Event history
Course history
Changing facilities
Showers & toilets (Hot/Cold Water)
Bad weather contingency
Access for emergency vehicles
First aid station
Refreshments
Hot Food
Towels & blankets
Hot water bottles
Sleeping bags
Rescue boats launching facilities
Specific shore side pollution
Swimmers water access
Swimmers water egress
Emergency rescue points
Feeding stations
Public access to course
Other water based users
Historical weather data
Historical temperature data
Historical water quality data
Water quality certificate obtained?
Location of water’s origin (if applicable)
Minimum water temperature
Maximum water temperature
Maximum air temperature
Water obstruction data
Weils Disease present?
Tides & Currents data
Daylight hours data
Timing of event
Check entry and egress from water for pollution/hazards
How will the swimmers enter the water?
If from a jetty; is it safe?
Signage
Are blue algae a problem?
Do you have a chart of the facility?
Is wildlife a problem?
Post-Event refreshments
Parking
Feeding stations
Observation tower
PA System
Accommodation
Course Design
Data from surveys
Course marking
Obstacles marked
Map of course
Spectator viewing areas
Alternative venue
What is the criterion?
Pollution, weather
Safety Considerations
Motorised rescue boats
Brief team
Numbers required
Swimmers escort
Kayaks
Boat per person?
Numbers required
Lifeguards available?
Competence of safety boats crews
Event medical response team
First Aid at Work Certificates
Event Medical support
Major Incident Plan
Radios
Emergency channel?
Batteries charged?
Batteries spares?
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXH
Mobile phones
Radio blank spots
Designated evacuation points
Up to date weather forecast
Restriction to other water users
Danger of sudden water changes
Danger of sudden climatic change
Depth of water
Temperature variation due to low temperature inversion
Visibility of whole course
Jellyfish
Prevailing winds
Availability of sub-aqua (Rescue)
Loud hailers
Log of event and appoint recorder
Insurance
Identification of swimmers
Nominated hospital/A&E Unit
Finishing procedures
Cut of time
Recording and reporting of accidents to the ASA
Safety briefing to competitors and officials
Safety briefing to other staff
Recording apparatus
Training of rescue craft drivers
Competence of rescue craft drivers
Training/competence of rescue kayaks
Swimmers identified by hat and numbers
Brief competitors
Compulsory wearing of hats
APPENDIX I: SAMPLE EVENT CONDITIONS
EVENT INFORMATION
Date:
Venue:
Venue Facilities: EXAMPLE ChangingFacilities Toiletsandshowers INSERTMAP Wetsuitsforhire(£3.80each) Café CarParking(£3) Lockertokens–50p
Entry Fee: £15
To enter the event, please click here:[]
EVENT SCHEDULE
Wave Registration Briefing Warm up Start
1 08:30–09:30 09:45 09:50 10:00
2 08:30–09:30 10:00 10:05 10:15
3 08:30–09:30 10:15 10:20 10:30
4 09:00–10:00 10:30 10:35 10:45
5 09:00–10:00 10:45 10:50 11:00
6 09:30–10:30 11:00 11:05 11:15
7 09:30–10:30 11:15 11:20 11:30
8 10:00–11:00 11:30 11:35 11:45
9* 10:00–11:00 11:45 11:50 12:00
10* 10:30–11:30 12:00 12:05 12:15
*Wave9and10willonlybeavailableifallotherwavesreachfullcapacity.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXI
CONDITIONS
1. SwimmersmustbearegisteredmemberoftheASA/SASA/WASAtotakepartintheevent.Temporarymembershipsareavailableatanadditionalcostof[£].
2. Youmustbe[]yearsorolderonthedayoftheeventtoenter.
3. [Wetsuitsarecompulsoryforthe1kmswimifyouareaged[]onthedayoftheswim.Noswimmeraged[]willbeallowedinthewaterwithoutawetsuiton.Werecommendwearingaswim-specificwetsuiti.e.suitsdesignedforswimming,whichwillprovideextrabuoyancyandwarmth.
4. Ifthewatertemperaturefallsbelow[]degreesonthedayoftheevent,wetsuitswillbecompulsoryforallparticipants.Werecommendwearingaswimspecificwetsuiti.e.designedforswimming,whichwillprovideextrabuoyancyandwarmth.
5. [Byenteringthe1kmswim,youwilldeclarethatyoucanswimatleast1500metresnonstopinapool(theequivalentof60lengthsina25mpool)]
GENERAL INFORMATION
› Age Restrictions
Tobeeligibletotakepartintheeventyoumustbeatleast[]yearsoldonorbeforethedayoftheswim.
› Waves
Therewillbeapproximately[]swimmersineachwave.
› Car Parking
Carparkingis[£]andispaidonarrivalattheentrancegate.Carparkingisavailableinthecafé/courtyardcarparkandonthegrassvergesonthewaydowntothewatersportscentre.Pleasefollowdirectionsfromthecarparkingstewards.
› Facilities
Therearetoiletandshowerfacilitiesavailableinthewatersportscentreandlockersavailableat50p.
› Camping
Campingisavailableat[]andcanbebookedthroughtheparkofficeon[].Thismustbebookedbythe[]priortotheeventdate.Tents:£6.50andCaravans/CamperVans£8.50
› Registration
Pleaseregisterattheregistrationdeskinthecourtyardatthetimeshownforyourwaveontheeventschedule.Youwillbegivenaswimcapandwristband;pleasedonotswapthesewithyourfriends!
› Briefing
Briefingswilltakeplacebeforeeachwaveontheedgeofthelakeatthetimespecifiedforeachwaveontheschedule.
› Safety
Asafetyinformationpackwillbeavailabletodownloadfromtheeventpageclosertotheeventwhichwillincludeimportantinformationregardingyourswim.Pleaseensureyouspendthetimereadingthroughthisdocumentbeforearrivingattheevent.
› What to Bring
Westronglyrecommendwearingawetsuit.Wetsuitsarecompulsoryforanyoneaged[]andforeveryoneifthewatertemperaturedropsbelow[].Youwillalsoneedtobringgoggles.
› Wetsuit Hire
Thewatersportscentrehasalimitednumberofadultandchildwetsuitsofvarioussizestohireat£3.80each.Wetsuitswillbehiredoutonafirstcomefirstservebasis.
› Medals
Youwillreceiveamedaloncompletionofyourswim.
› Catering
Therewillbeanumberofcateringunitsonsiteandyouwillalsoreceivefreesoupandarollafteryourswimtowarmup!Thiswillbeservedfromthemarqueeonthegreen.
› Medical Cover
TheRedCrosswillbeonsiteprovidingmedicalcover.
› Medical Conditions
Itisimportantthatyouinformusofanymedicalconditionsuponregistrationorbyemailing[]andthatyouhavereadandconsideredthePre-ExerciseReview.
› Withdrawals
Ifyouwishtowithdrawfromtheeventpleaseemail[]withyournameandASANumber.Norefundswillbegivenforthisevent.
› Further Info
Ifyouneedanyfurtherinformationpleasecontact[]on[].
PRE-EXERCISE REVIEW
Has your doctor ever said you have a heart condition (such as coronary heart disease, congenital heart disease or valvular heart disease)?
Yes/No
Do you feel pain in your chest, shortness of breath or dizziness when you undertake physical activity?
Yes/No
In the past month have you had chest pain when you are not doing physical activity?
Yes/No
Do you lose your balance because of dizziness or do you ever lose consciousness?
Yes/No
Is your doctor currently prescribing drugs for blood pressure or a heart condition or take any medication that may affect you when taking part in physical exertion?
Yes/No
Are you pregnant?
Yes/No
Do you suffer from epilepsy?
Yes/No
Do you suffer from diabetes mellitus and need to take insulin?
Yes/No
Do you know of any other reason which may affect your ability to take part in physical activity?
Yes/No
Ifyespleasestatewhy:
If you answered NO to all questions you can be reasonably sure that you can be physically active. If you answered YES to one or more questions you should consult with your doctor before embarking on physical exercise.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXI
APPENDIX J: QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
DOCTOR
AnyattendingdoctortonationalO.W.S.eventshouldhave:
i. Adequatepostgraduatetrainingandexperienceofseveralyearsduration-minimum3years;
ii. Relevantcertifiedresuscitationskills(certifiedannually)andabilitytocopewiththecommonmedicalproblemsencounteredinthesport;
iii. HavegoodbackgroundofaquaticdisciplinesandknowledgeofO.W.S.
ROLE OF THE DOCTOR
› Pre Race
• Ensurecurrentmedicalhistoryofeachathleteisknownwithparticularemphasistolongtermmedicalconditionssuchasepilepsy,diabetesmellitusetcandnecessaryimmunisationsforOWSareupdate
• Ensureownmedicalequipmentiseasilyaccessibleanduptodatetocopewithcommonmedicaleventualities
• MakeraceorganisersandraceC.M.O.awareofanyspecificmedicalissuespertainingtoBritishswimmers
• CheckmedicationtakenbyanyathleteontheteamandensureanynecessaryT.U.E.’sareuptodate
• Assessfitnesstoswimofeachathletewithreferencetoanyintercurrentinfectionorinjurythathasarisensincethemedicaldeclarationwascompletedinliaisonwithteamphysiotherapist
• Ensureadequatemedicalprovisionisavailablebytheorganisingauthoritiesandcheckthemedicalroomhasthenecessaryresuscitationequipmentandformanagementofhypothermiaandothermedicalemergencies
• Checkthatthereisbothambulanceprovisionandlocationofnearesthospitalintheeventofamedicalemergency
• Liaisewiththeheadcoach/NPDregardingalloftheaboveandbeinvolvedinanyfitnesstoparticipatedecisions
› During the Race
• PaycarefulattentiontotheprogressofanyBritishathleteduringtheraceandhavemeansofcommunicationtoteamstaffincloseproximitywiththeswimmer
• Beimmediatelyavailableintheeventofaswimmerbeingwithdrawnbeforetheconclusionoftheraceformedicalreasons
› Post-Race
• Beimmediatelyavailableattheconclusionoftheracetochecktherearenomedicalproblemsandattendtotheseandwhennecessary
• AccompanyanyathleteselectedforDopingControltothefacilityandactastheirrepresentativeduringtheprocedure
• Ifnecessaryaccompanyanyunwellathletebacktotheteamhotelbutifnotstayattheeventlocationuntilthelastathletedepartsincaseofdelayedproblems
• OnthereturntotheUKfollowupanymedicalproblemsthatmayhavearisenwithhomecoach,GPandorEISSportsPhysician
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXJ
SAFETy OFFICER
AnyattendingSafetyOfficertonationalO.W.S.eventshouldhave:
i. Adequatequalificationsandexperienceinriskassessment,safetyplanning,proceduresandimplementation;
ii. HavegoodbackgroundofaquaticdisciplinesandknowledgeofO.W.S;
iii. PreviousExperienceintheroleofSafetyOfficer;
iv. DesirabletohaveformalH&Squalifications.
ROLE OF THE SAFETy OFFICER
› Pre-Race
• BeresponsibletotheRefereeforallaspectsofsafetyrelatedtotheconductofthecompetition
• Checkthattheentirecourse,withspecialregardtothestartandfinishareas,issafe,suitable,andfreeofanyobstruction
• Beresponsibleforensuringthatsufficientpoweredsafetycraftareavailableduringthecompetitionsoastoprovidefullsafetybackuptotheescortsafetycraft
• Obtainknowledgeofwaterandtidalconditionsinavarietyofwatersources(i.e.lake,rivers,seaandestuaries)ofeventconcerned
• Providepriortothecompetitionstoallswimmersatide/currentchartclearlyindicatingthetimeoftidechangesonthecourseandshowingtheeffectoftidesorcurrentonaswimmer’sprogressalongthecourse
• InconjunctionwiththeMedicalOfficeradvisetheRefereeif,intheiropinion,conditionsareunsuitableforstagingthecompetitionandmakerecommendationsforthemodificationofthecourseorthemannerinwhichthecompetitionisconducted
• Distributetwo-wayradios
• Checktheweatherforecastandensureanychangesinweatherareplannedforandactionedcommunicatedtotheofficials/referees
• Ensurethatallsafetypersonnelandpositionshighlightedinthesafetydocumentationandraceplanarepresentandbriefed
• Checkallcommunicationequipmentaccordingtorulesandcommunicationprocedure
› During the Race
• Monitortheraceboatsandsupervisionofallswimmerstoensuretheyarebeingcontrolledinsafemanner
• Monitorweatherconditionsandbepreparedforanyremedialactiontobeputintoplaceasaresultofanymajorchanges
• Ensureon-goingathletechecks/headcountsarebeingperformedandallathletesareidentified
› Post Race
• Ensureallathletesareaccountedfor
• Ensureallofficialsandsafetypersonnelareaccountedfor
• Collecttwo-wayradiosandobtainsafetyde-briefsofsafetypersonneloftheeventandreportanyfindingstoracepromoterandRacereferee
APPENDIX K: BEAUFORT WIND SCALE
BAUFORT NUMBER
DESCRIPTION WINDSPEED WAVEHEIGHT SEACONDITIONS LANDCONDITIONS
0
Calm <1km/h 0m Flat. Calm.Smokerisesvertically.<1mph
<1km 0ft
<0.3m/s
1
Lightair 1.1-5.5km/h 0-0.2m Rippleswithoutcrests. Smokedriftindicateswinddirectionandwindvanesceasemoving.
1-3mph
1-2km 0-1ft
0.3-1.5m/s
2
Lightbreeze 5.6-11km/h 0.2-0.5m Smallwavelets.Crestsofglassyappearance,notbreaking.
Windfeltonexposedskin.Leavesrustleandwindvanesbegintomove.
4-7mph
3-6km 1-2ft
1.6-3.4m/s
3
Gentlebreeze 12-19km/h 0.5-1m Largewavelets.Crestsbegintobreak;scatteredwhitecaps.
Leavesandsmalltwigsconstantlymoving,lightflagsextended.
8-12mph
7-10km 2-3.5ft
3.4-5.4m/s
4
Moderatebreeze 20-28km/h 1-2m Smallwaveswithbreakingcrests.Fairlyfrequentwhitecaps.
Dustandloosepaperraised.Smallbranchesbegintomove.
13-17mph
11-15km 3.5-6ft
5.5-7.9m/s
5
Freshbreeze 29-38km/h 2-3m Moderatewavesofsomelength.Manywhitecaps.Smallamountsofspray.
Branchesofamoderatesizemove.Smalltreesinleafbegintosway.
18-24mph
16-20km 6-9ft
8.0-10.7m/s
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXK
6
Strongbreeze 39-49km/h 3-4m Longwavesbegintoform.Whitefoamcrestsareveryfrequent.Someairbornesprayispresent.
Largebranchesinmotion.Whistlingheardinoverheadwires.Umbrellausebecomesdifficult.Emptyplasticgarbagecanstipover.
25-30mph
21-26km 9-13ft
10.8-13.8m/s
7
Highwind,Moderategale,Neargale
50-61km/h 4-5.5m Seaheapsup.Somefoamfrombreakingwavesisblownintostreaksalongwinddirection.Considerableairbornespray.
Wholetreesinmotion.Effortneededtowalkagainstthewind.
31-38mph
27-33km 13-19ft
13.9-17.1m/s
8
Gale,Freshgale 62-74km/h 5.5-7.5m Moderatelyhighwaveswithbreakingcrestsformingspindrift.Well-markedstreaksoffoamareblownalongwinddirection.Considerableairbornespray.
Sometwigsbrokenfromtrees.Carsveeronroad.Progressonfootisseriouslyimpeded.
39-46mph
34-40km 18-25ft
17.2-20.7m/s
9
Stronggale 75-88km/h 7-10m Highwaveswhosecrestssometimesrollover.Densefoamisblownalongwinddirection.Largeamountsofairbornespraymaybegintoreducevisibility.
Somebranchesbreakofftrees,andsomesmalltreesblowover.Construction/temporarysignsandbarricadesblowover.
47-54mph
41-47km 23-32ft
20.8-24.4m/s
10
Storm,Wholegale 89-102km/h 9-12.5m Veryhighwaveswithoverhangingcrests.Largepatchesoffoamfromwavecrestsgivetheseaawhiteappearance.Considerabletumblingofwaveswithheavyimpact.Largeamountsofairbornesprayreducevisibility.
Treesarebrokenofforuprooted,saplingsbentanddeformed.Poorlyattachedasphaltshinglesandsinglesinpoorconditionpeeloffroots.
55-63mph
48-55km 29-41ft
24.5-28.4m/s
11
Violentstorm 103-117km/h 11.5-16m Exceptionallyhighwaves.Verylargepatchesoffoam,drivenbeforethewind,covermuchoftheseasurface/Verylargeamountsofairbornesprayseverelyreducevisibility.
Widespreaddamagetovegetation.Manyroofingsurfacesaredamaged;asphalttilesthathavecurledupand/orfracturedduetoagemaybreakawaycompletely.
64-72mph
56-63km 37-52ft
28.5-32.6m/s
12
Hurricane-force ›118km/h ›14m Hugewaves.Seaiscompletelywhitewithfoamandspray.Airisfilledwithdrivingspray,greatlyreducingvisibility.
Verywidespreaddamagetovegetation.Somewindowsmaybreak;mobilehomesandpoorlyconstructedshedsandbarnsaredamaged.Debrismaybehurledabout.
APPENDIX L: ATHLETE’S OPEN WATER COMPETITION SAFETy CHECK LIST
Event Admin IsthereadedicatedSafetyOfficer?(Ifnosafetyofficerispresent,whomakesdecisionsinregardtosafety?Ifnoonenominatedtheriskisincreased.)
IsthereadedicatedMedicalOfficer?
Whoisresponsiblefordecisionsonchangestotheevent?
Conditions Whatistheminimumdepthofwateratanypointonthecourse(Thisshouldbe1.40m)
Whatisthewatertemperature?(Thisshouldbeaminimumof16°c)(Preferredminimum18ºc,ifbelowthisfigurewhatisthelikelihoodfortemperaturedecrease?Maximumtemperaturetobe28ºcactiontobetakentoreducerisk.Eithershortenlength,increasesupervisiontoalevelwhereeachswimmerismonitored.Orpostponetoatimewhenambientandwatertemperaturesarereducedandtheracecanberunsafely.
Safety Boats Howmanysafetyboatsareonthecourse?
Doallboatshaveasafetyguardontheirpropeller?(Allboatsonthecourseshouldhavepropellerguards,howeveriftheydon'tthenproceduresshouldbeinplacetomitigaterisk,provideguidanceontheminimumdistancetokeepfromtheswimmers.Propellerguardstoinpaceonsafetyboatsandproceduresofhowtomanoeuvreamongstswimmersforsafetyboatsandanykayaksoncourse.)
Aretherelifeguardsonthesafetyboats?(Iflifeguardsormedicalsupportproficientinwaterrescueandresuscitationthenthereisanincreasedrisk,however,theneedistobedefinedonasitebysitebasisasitmayprovethissupportmaybeapplicablefromtheshore.)
Medical Whatmedicalbackupisavailableatthecompetition?(ThisshouldbeincludedintheNOPanddetailwhatfacilitiesareincluded(provisionforhypothermiaandhyperthermiashouldbeconsidered)
Isthereanambulanceonsite?(AvitalelementoftheEAP.Thereshouldbeanambulanceinplace,ifnotwhatistheexplanationandprocedureforemergencyresponse?)
Event Admin IsthereadedicatedeventsDirector?
Start Howdeepiswateratthestart?(Minimum1.40m)-(Ifbelowthisdepthitshouldbeaninwaterstart.Below1mfindanalternativestartpoint)
Aretherecurrentsonthefieldofplay?
Whatarethosecurrents?Direction/strengthetc?(Aretheseclearlyidentifiedintheappropriateplaces,thiscommunicatedtotheathletesandteammanagementandstrengthofcurrentdeemedacceptabletoswimin.)
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXL
Conditions Whatisthetidalinformation?(Alackofinformationwouldconstituteanincreasedrisk.Informationoncurrents,speedanddirectionprovidedandmeasureshavebeenputinplacetoidentifyareasofcurrent,procedurestomanageandincreasedsupervisiononthecoursewouldallconstituteareducelevelofrisk.)
Whataretheexpectedweatherconditions?(Increasesordecreasesintemperature,increaseinwindsorelectricalstormsallposepotentialincreasetorisk.Iftheforecasthasbeentakenintoconsiderationandactionstoreduceriskareapparentitwouldsuggestareducedlevelofriskassociatedwiththiselement.)
Haveweseenacopyofthecertificateofsuitabilityforuseofthevenueissuedbytheappropriatelocalhealthandsafetyauthorities?
Istherealeadboat?(Forbothmenandwomenifswimming10/15minsapart?)
Safety Boats Wherewillthesafetyboatsbepositioned?
Aretherelifeguardsontheshore?(Iflifeguardsormedicalsupportproficientinwaterrescueandresuscitationthenthereisanincreasedrisk,howevertheneedistobedefinedonasitebysitebasisasitmayprovethissupportmaybeapplicablefromtheshore.)
Arethereanyotherboatsallowedonthefieldofplay?(AllboatsonthecourseshouldbeforagivenpurposeandgiveninstructionsofoperationasindicatedintheNOP.)
Ifso,howmanyandwhatarethey?(AllboatsonthecourseshouldbeforagivenpurposeandgiveninstructionsofoperationasindicatedintheNOP.)
Medical Whereisthemedicalbackupsituated?(Thefurtherfromthecoursethemedicalbackupisthegreatertherisk.Ifadedicatedspotisnotpartoftheproceduresriskisincreasedfurther.)
CanthedoctorspeakEnglish?(Stepsshouldbetakentoensurethatcommunicationisunderstood.TheofficiallanguageofmostinternationaleventsisEnglish.IfthemedicalsupportcannotspeakEnglishandinterpretershouldbeprovidedsothatnodelayisincurredinadministeringmedicaltreatment.)
Start Whereisthestart?
Isthestartadiveorinthewater?
Ifadivestart,howmuchspaceisallocatedtoeachcompetitor?
Ifan“inwaterstart”,isthisbehindarope,holdingontoaropeorother?
Isthepositioningforthestartdrawnorafreeforall?
Whatisthestartsignal?
Buoys Howmanybuoysarethereonthecourse?
Wherearethebuoyspositionedonthecourse?
Whichofthosebuoysarecompulsory?
Whatcolour,shapeandsizearethecompulsorybuoys?
Whatcolour,shapeandsizearethedirectionalbuoys?
Whatdistanceapartarethebuoys?(Bothcompulsoryanddirectional)
Aretherereferees/judgespresentateachcompulsorybuoy?
Finish Whatisthefinish?Flatfinish/swimthroughfinish?
Isthefinalapproachtothefinishclearlydefinedwithmarkersofadistinctivecolourwhichnarrowastheygetclosertothefinishwall?
Willthefinishbefilmedandrecordedbyvideosystemwithslowmotionandrecallfacilitiesincludingtimingequipment?
Areswimmersbeingallocatedwithtransponders?
Ifso,oneortwo?
Whatistheracetimeline?
Menstarttime?
Womenstarttime?
Numberingforboth?
Transponderissueforboth?
Whatisthetimeframefromcallroomtostartgun(i.e.swimmersintroductionsetc)?
Feeding Stations Howmanyandwherearethefeedingpontoons?
Whattimedocoaches/teammanagersneedtoreporttothefeedingpontoon?
Wherewill‘feedingpolechecks’takeplace?
Whattimewillcoaches/teammanagersbetakenoffthefeedingpontoon?
Arethefeedingpontoonsfixed?
Arethefeedingpontoonsindicatedwithbuoys?
Whatheightarethefeedingpontoonsfromthesurfaceofthewater?
Areplacesallocatedonthefeedingpontoon?
Arethefeedingpontoonsdirectionaloristheracesidecompulsory?
Aretherefacilitiesonthefeedingpontoon?
Race Control Whoistherefereeforeachrace?
Willfingernail/jewellerychecksbedoneinthecallroom?
Willasuitcheckbedoneinthecallroom?
Medical Whereisdopingcontrol?
Dotheyneedpassportsorphotographicaccreditationinthecallroom?Transporttoandfromthecourse?
Accreditation Istheaccreditationphotographic?Ifnotensurethatpassportsarerequired.
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXL
APPENDIX M: REFERENCE LIST
• FINAHandbook(latestEdition)
• TheASAHandbook(latestEdition)
• DivingandJumpingintoSwimmingPoolsandOpenWaterAreasISRMISBN1900738600
• THEDIRECTIVE2006/7/ECOFTHEEUROPEANPARLIAMENTANDOFTHECOUNCIL
• ManaginghealthandsafetyinswimmingpoolsHSEHSG179
• GuidelinesforsaferecreationalwaterenvironmentsWorldHealthOrganisationISBN9241546808
• SwimmingPoolWater–TreatmentandqualityStandardsforSpasandPoolsPWTAGISBN09511700766
• HealthandSafetyatWorkAct1974www.hse.gov.uk
• ManagementofHealthandsafetyintheWorkPlaceRegulations1999www.hse.gov.uk
• TheDirective2006/7/ECoftheEuropeanParliamentandCouncil(TheBathingWaterDirective)www.eur-lex.europa.eu
• TheBathingWaters(England)Notice2008www.defra.gov.uk
• Europeancommission–BathingWaterProfilesBestPracticeandGuidancewww.ec.europa.eu
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXM
APPENDIX N: CONTACTS
SWIMMING TECHNICAL COMMITTEE SECRETARy
BritishSwimmingPavilion3SportPark3OakwoodDriveLoughboroughUniversityLoughboroughLeicestershireLE113QF
Telephone:01509618700
British Swimming website:www.swimming.org
FACILITIES DEPARTMENT
TheASAPavilion3SportPark3OakwoodDriveLoughboroughUniversityLoughboroughLeicestershireLE113QF
Telephone: 01509640253
Email: [email protected]
DEPARTMENT OF REGULATORy AND LEGAL AFFAIRS
TheASAPavilion3SportPark3OakwoodDriveLoughboroughUniversityLoughboroughLeicestershireLE113QF
Telephone: 01509640270
E-mail: [email protected]
EVENTS TEAM
TheASAPavilion3SportPark3OakwoodDriveLoughboroughUniversityLoughboroughLeicestershireLE113QF
Telephone: 01509640266
E-mail: [email protected]
THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN WATER SWIMMING EVENTS | APPENDIXN
NOFIO CYMR USWIM WALES
0036
2ASA
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