AUSTSWIM Swimming and Water Safety Program Guidelines

Background and Terminology

The AUSTSWIM Council has researched the value of swimming and water safety programs and advises AUSTSWIM teachers, parents and pool management of the following key points:

responsible for general supervision of an aquatic environment.

AUSTSWIM Swimming and Water Safety Charter

AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety guidelines provide best practice for:

Swimming and Water Safety focus is to develop strong foundation and best practice strategies for drowning prevention, safer participation in aquatic environments and swimming and water safety knowledge, skill and understanding.

1. ACCREDITATION AND LICENSING

Training

The Department of Education and Training is responsible for national policies and programs that help Australians access quality Vocational Education and Training (VET).

The AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety skill set includes nationally recognised units of competency from the SIS10 Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package that is the national framework for skills development for the industry.

Current units of competency for the Swimming and Water Safety skill set may be found at
https://austswim.com.au/training 

The VET skill set includes basic competencies for the Swimming and Water Safety course.
AUSTSWIM Swimming and Water Safety Licence requirements are, however, over and above the aforementioned skill set. These additional AUSTSWIM requirements are documented on the AUSTSWIM website at
https://austswim.com.au/training 

Scope of Accreditation
Successful completion of the AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety course
incorporates extended learning elements aligned with IS0 17024 accreditation and AUSTSWIM
standards. Teachers who hold this accreditation are licensed and insured to conduct classes for swimming and water safety students aged 4 years and over.

AUSTSWIM encourages teachers to enhance their knowledge, skill and understanding through attendance at annual conferences, internal and external workshops, enrolling in further formal training programs and peer networking and learning opportunities. Ongoing professional development is a requirement when renewing the AUSTSWIM Licence.

Teachers must have specific understanding, aptitude, patience and enthusiasm for teaching swimming and water safety and continue their education in order to remain up to date with current new developments.
The AUSTSWIM teacher must upskill and gain an additional accreditation if they choose to teach:

• Infant and preschool aquatics (6 months – 4 years of age)
• Access and Inclusion participants (CALD, people with a disability, aged)
• Aqua aerobics.

2. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE VENUES

It is the responsibility of the employer to provide employees/contractors with practices which include a thorough workplace induction, details and protocols for Emergency Management and Risk Assessment. Employees/contractors must be aware of relevant manufacturer warranties and Australian Standards relating to the use and operation of equipment, hoists,
other accessories and program equipment as listed in these Guidelines.

At the venue the student may require special consideration to be given to:

Supervision
The AUSTSWIM teacher is responsible and owes a duty of care to students in the class, not other users at the facility.

The AUSTSWIM teacher may be considered the sole pool supervisor where class students are the ONLY students in the pool. Employers, however, must ensure the AUSTSWIM teacher is
competent in:

• facility function
• emergency management
• current water rescue competency*
• current resuscitation and first aid qualifications.
  * Perform Basic Water Rescues unit of competency that must be assessed on an annual basis by the employer or Certification for Pool / Surf Lifeguard, Bronze Medallion

Emergency / Evacuation
After securing the safety of students in the class, the teacher may be required to assist in any emergency action or processes as and when they arise under the direction of a responsible person, example, facility duty manager, chief or area warden. It is an employer’s responsibility to assess and ensure employees and contractors ongoing
competency of all emergency management and current water rescue, resuscitation and, in the case of a sole operator, a mandatory first aid qualification.

Competency, Class Size and Ratios
Class size and ratios vary in accordance with venue type, environmental conditions and
student competency.

Risk assessment must be undertaken in planning, development and presentation of swimming and water safety lessons.

Note: Education Department programs must be conducted in association with relevant
departmental guidelines.

The Activity Type for all venues is swimming and water safety education. Risk assessment for all venue types should consider additional supervision requirements across all venue types, equipment, emergency procedures and communication access for emergency purposes.

The list below is provided as a guide only. As a feature of risk management, students must be assessed prior to taking part in swimming and water safety education.

Beginner
• Not confident or comfortable in water
• Vertical propulsion
• None or poor horizontal propulsion
• No deeper water experience
• Poor breath control and/or recovery to stable stand
• Poor submersion

Intermediate
• Comfortable and confident in water
• Competent breath control and recovery to stand from horizontal
• Confident prone and back propulsion – recognisable strokes
• Knows and complies with pool rules
• Confident exit from deeper water
• Minimal experience out of depth
• Gaining treading water skills

Advanced
• Very confident and comfortable in deep water
• Distance and endurance capability is evident across four recognisable strokes
• Tread water / float / scull to maintain safe breathing in deep water
• Safe and confident feet and head first entries

Water Quality
Facilities must be maintained in accordance with standards, legislation and guidelines specified by state, local authorities and industry regarding safety, water purity and sanitary conditions.

Swimming and water safety programs can be conducted in outdoor pools. Employers and
teachers must consider weather conditions and water temperature as these may necessitate adjustment to class structure and duration. Lessons should not exceed 30 minutes duration and students must be kept active in the water and not left sitting or standing on the edge of the pool, as the cooler air temperature may cause rapid loss of body heat or sun rays may have a burning effect. The learning of swimming and water safety must never take precedence over the child’s comfort and welfare.

Air and Water Temperature

For optimal learning, the water temperature must be a minimum of 30C and the air temperature similar to the water temperature (that is, not significantly warmer or colder). This provides an environment that is comfortable, enjoyable and optimal for learning. As previously stated, whether indoor or outdoor lessons should not exceed 30 minutes duration and students must be kept active in the water and not left sitting on the edge.

Some students become cold very quickly, even when the air temperature appears to be warm. Teachers must monitor closely and adapt practicesto ensure minimal time out of the water.

In circumstances where air and water temperature cannot be maintained at optimum levels, lessons must be cancelled or appropriate alternative learning options provided.

Information Disclosure and Privacy Act

Medical and other pertinent information that may impact on participation and learning should be disclosed. Parents/carers and adult students have a right to choose whether or not to disclose information. Every effort must be taken to encourage disclosure of information pertinent to or impacting on students taking part in swimming and water safety education
programs.

Disclosed information is subject to legislation within the federal Privacy Act and as such is
subject to protection controls as it is disseminated to regular and replacement teachers.

Class Areas

Allocated class space should enable students to be spaced adequately themselves, other
users, pool walls or other obstacles. The teaching space must be clearly defined and signage provided appropriate to the class type.

3. SCOPE OF THE TEACHER OF SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY IN PROGRAM DELIVERY

Role and Responsibility
The AUSTSWIM teacher must:

It is recommended that the pace and level of involvement in Swimming and Water Safety
programs be consistent with the functional ability and skill of the student. The degree of
participation must never be forced.

Students’ rights must be respected at all times. Activities that cause distress to a student must be modified or removed/abandoned. All students have the right to:

Competent, professional, skilled and caring teachers provide positive, constructive and enjoyable activities that enhance learning swimming and water safety knowledge, skill and understanding. Individual student needs are responded to within the dynamics of group teaching settings.

A student’s reaction to swimming and water safety education will depend on a number of
factors that may include, but not be restricted to:

• age
• physical characteristics
• intellectual development
• prior experience
• language development
• cognitive development
• degree of socialisation
• cultural background
• health, wellness and functionality

Clothing and Swimwear
Teachers and students must wear appropriate swimwear to ensure that they are protected
against the sun’s harmful rays in outdoor venues. Teachers are advised to wear a rash vest during lessons.

Clothing impacts on safety and learning in a water environment. Well-fitting swimwear takes into consideration:

Student continence

Swimwear that restricts or impedes movement of the arms or legs is not ideal in a learning environment. Board shorts, flowing skirts etc. restrict arm and leg action.

Cultural Necessity
The swimwear needs of students from diverse cultures must be taken in account to enhance
participation and learning. Swimwear should be close fitting rather than free flowing to
enhance safety. Burkinis are appropriate full body swimwear.

Goggles
Well-fitting goggles often assist in learning swimming and water safety; however, teachers must ensure activities that enhance knowledge, skill and understanding with goggles on and off.

Face Masks
These items are not appropriate in a learning environment where students are encouraged to exhale through both mouth and nose. Goggles cover the eyes, leaving the airways clear.

Caps
Caps help control and maintain hair. Long hair flows and moves with the water often
impeding the learning of, and ability to, breathe in water. Alternatively, long hair must be tied and secured away from the face.

Program Equipment
Lesson equipment on poolside must not impede or impact on pool entry/exit

Equipment must be age appropriate and safe. Students must understand their own natural
abilities and not become reliant on flotation aids.

Equipment and teaching aids may improve the quality of swimming and water safety
programs by providing distraction, motivation and a sense of independence. Teachers must select equipment and teaching aids that are clean, in good condition and suit the interests and capabilities of students.

Flotation aids may assist with gaining confidence, independence and skill. Activity undertaken with flotation aids (that can be deflated) must also be attempted without the use of aids enabling students to understand how their body moves, reacts and responds in water.

Conclusion
The education and learning outcomes provided to students by AUSTSWIM Teachers of Swimming and Water Safety is vital in the reduction in drowning. AUSTSWIM teachers impart knowledge, skill and understanding for safer participation in a range of aquatic environments