AUSTSWIM AQUA GUIDELINES

Background and Terminology

It is common practice that the nature of the aqua class is based on:

• casual participation for the intention of recreational, health and wellbeing, social, and/or fitness outcomes
• the premise that, for some, the aquatic environment is often the only effective setting in which they can gain positive physical activity benefits
• participants attending a class who may be well and healthy but present with a medical condition and/or limited functionality
• the knowledge that the aqua instructor is AUSTSWIM licensed or fitness registered to deliver safe and effective sessions to meet the diverse needs of the participants.

AUSTSWIM Aqua Charter
The AUSTSWIM Aqua Charter provides best practice guidelines for:
1. Aquatic/fitness industry accreditation/registration
2. Public and private venues, including hotel/motel, apartments, body corporate, schools, resorts
and holiday parks delivering aqua programs
3. Community members visiting pools
4. Scope of the aqua instructor in program delivery.

Aqua Focus
The aqua instructor focus is to develop strong foundation strategies to plan, instruct, monitor and
evaluate group water‐based exercise classes that may:

• Encourage physical activity and general health and wellbeing
• Enhance social interaction and engagement
• Facilitate improved balance and mobility
• Develop water safety awareness and skill
• Improve water familiarisation knowledge and skill
• Encourage physical activity, fitness, endurance and flexibility
• Improve self‐confidence and emotional wellbeing.

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

The aqua instructor 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 and includes:

http://www.austswim.com.au/wets‐aqua/enrol‐into‐a‐wets‐course
The VET skill set includes basic competencies for the WETS aqua instructor course. AUSTSWIM 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/course-detail/austswim-wets-aqua-instructor

A Water Safety Approach
Prior to 2016, learning units for the aqua instructor skill set neglected to include water safety, risk management and specific population competencies. The industry driven by AUSTSWIM has recognised the potential hazardous nature of aquatic environments and has been instrumental
in ensuring accurate knowledge, skill and awareness of these essential elements which are now included in the current aqua skill set. Instructors without the risk management and specific population competency are limited to delivering mainstream classes for healthy participants or may seek further education to up skill.

Scope of Accreditation
Successful completion of the AUSTSWIM WETS aqua instructor course incorporates extended learning elements aligned with AUSTSWIM standards. Teachers who hold this accreditation are licensed and insured to conduct classes for aqua participants.

AUSTSWIM encourages instructors 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.

Instructors must have specific understanding, aptitude, patience and enthusiasm for instructing physical activity in the form of aqua activity for specific population groups and continue their education in order to remain up to date with current new developments.
Aqua instructors are required to hold:

• an AUSTSWIM Licence and/or
• Fitness Body Registration with Aqua Specialisation (units of competency that include water safety, first aid, CPR and risk management).

The aqua instructor is not qualified to provide:
AUSTSWIM advises that classes delivered by aqua instructors are not intended for therapeutic, diagnostic or rehabilitation purposes (for example, classes specifically designed for hydrotherapy, pre/post pregnancy classes, cardiac, stroke recovery, back injury, or other similar sessions) unless further education has been completed.

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 participant may require special consideration to be given to:

Supervision
The aqua instructor is responsible and owes a duty of care to participants in the class, not other users at the facility.

The aqua instructor may be considered the sole pool supervisor where class participants are the ONLY participants in the pool. Employers, however, must ensure the aqua instructor is competent in:

• facility function
• emergency management
• current water rescue competency*
• current resuscitation and first aid qualifications.

Emergency / Evacuation
After securing the safety of participants in the class, the aqua instructor 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.

Class Size and Ratios
Factors influencing and impacting class size may include:

• the environment
• space availability – participants should be spaced at least double arm distance from each other and the wall/swimming lap lane
• movement functionality and experience of participants
• class type and intensity
• water depth
• water temperature.

*Statement of Attainment; Perform Basic Water Rescues, AUSTSWIM Licence, current Pool Lifeguard, Bronze Medallion or Surf Lifesaver qualification. For the purpose of these guidelines ‘appropriate to the venue’ is defined as the instructor competent to conduct a rescue in the deepest section of the pool.

**First Aid and CPR certificates must be current at all times in order for the AUSTSWIM WETS Licence to remain valid. Insurance will become invalid if first aid or CPR certificates expire. https://austswim.com.au/course-detail/austswim-wets-aqua-instructor

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.

• Water purification standards for public swimming pools and spa pools are available from state/territory health authorities.
• Industry best practice GSPO detail facility operation standards.
• The person(s) responsible for monitoring water quality must be suitably qualified and comply with legislation requirements.
• Teachers should be aware of pool water quality and report any concerns to the appropriate personnel.
  

Outdoor Venues
Swimming and water safety programs can be conducted in outdoor pools. Employers and aqua
instructors must consider weather conditions and water temperature as these may necessitate an adjustment to class structure and duration. Lessons should not exceed 30 minutes duration and
participants 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.

Ambient Temperature Recommendations for aqua instructors
The ambient temperature should be comparable to water temperature; where it exceeds this temperature, an anchored fan with an earth leakage or DC low voltage lead is recommended to assist with cooling the aqua instructor. Instructors must ensure they remain hydrated throughout the class.

In circumstances where air and water temperature cannot be maintained at optimum levels, sessions 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. Adult participants, parents/carers 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 participants taking part in aqua 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 aqua instructors.

Aquatic Environmental Conditions

*Australian guidelines for aquatic physiotherapists working in and/or managing hydrotherapy pools; Second Edition 2015 Australian Physiotherapy Association

Class Areas
The participant’s area in the water and instructor delivery space must be clearly defined and signage provided appropriate to the class type. Allocated class space should enable participants to be spaced at a double spread arm distance between themselves, other users, pool walls or other obstacles.

Note: Sun glare may be a consideration in presenting classes. In such situations, instructors must position themselves in order to reduce the impact of sun glare for themselves and participants.

Aqua Equipment for participants and instructors

• A headset microphone is recommended when delivering activities on pool deck. Where possible, speakers should be placed facing a solid wall or positioned to reduce sound travelling across the entire pool area; this aids in keeping sound within the confines of the class.
• Sound systems must be connected appropriately with earth leakage or DC low voltage leads.
• Aqua equipment placed on pool deck must not impede concourse traffic flow and must be placed to avoid trip hazards to the aqua instructor and others.
• Mats and/or running boards, Aquaframe used by aqua instructors to reduce impact must be in good condition and professionally constructed of non‐slip material. Training is recommended prior to use.
• Aqua equipment should be regularly checked for quality, condition and suitability for
  classes.
• Participants should be introduced to how their body will react while using equipment in different depths while moving at different speeds
• For deep‐water classes, flotation devices should be available as required.
• Faulty equipment must be removed from use.

3.  SCOPE OF THE AQUA INSTRUCTOR IN PROGRAM DELIVERY
Role and Responsibilities
The aqua instructor must:

• emergency procedures (how to raise the alarm), how the instructor will respond and the role of participants in following directions/instructions
• an overview of the outcome of the class
• pacing themselves appropriately, including taking breaks as required and immediately notifying the instructor if dizziness or a feeling of discomfort occurs
• the importance of regular hydration
• caution on wet surfaces.

• assess the functional mobility, water comfort and confidence of participants
• empower participants to exercise according to their current physical and emotional status and personal aspirations
• encourage participants with a medical condition or injury to seek and follow guidelines as recommended by their health practitioner.

During the class, the aqua instructor must observe, analyse and modify participants’ movement patterns to ensure safety, enhance ease of movement and encourage appropriate participation.
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/publicpools/Pages/steps‐to‐healthy‐swimming.aspx

Water Depth for Participants
Classes are predominately conducted in a vertical body position, however, they may also include supine and prone activity for participants familiar with a sculling action.

Shallow water classes should be conducted in water depth no greater than participants’ shoulder height and preferably at armpit height. Propulsion activities should be limited when water depth is less than waist height. The instructor should use skills and knowledge gained during the training to observe, analyse and modify the movement patterns appropriate for the participant and the water depth.

Deep‐water classes (ie. classes where participants are not able to touch the pool floor) must be delivered by an accredited aqua instructor who can confidently perform a deep‐water rescue and has had additional professional training in this discipline.

Water depth and appropriate movement patterns

Participants

Entry, Exit and Activity
The aqua instructor must have visual control of all participants upon entering, during and exiting the class to ensure best practice standards. It is not the responsibility of the aqua instructor to lead participants into the pool. Only trained personnel are permitted to use a hoist.

Specific Populations
Access and inclusion participants (ie. people with mobility limitation, neurological conditions), or an intellectual disability) may have defined requirements and stipulated minimum and maximum ratios prescribed by relevant national organisations. Aqua instructors are encouraged to seek advice from these organisations or the Australian Guidelines for Aquatic Physiotherapists working in and/or managing hydrotherapy pools. Aqua instructors leading groups for the access and inclusion market are required to have demonstrated competency with specific population groups during their industry training or gained additional professional development training prior to delivery.

Children and Adolescents

The older adult aqua participant should not be categorised by chronological labelling, rather by physical activity ability. The aqua instructor is encouraged to provide movement and intensity options for a plethora of participants.

For the older adult, water provides a comfortable exercise environment where both social and physical gains can be achieved. The exercises designed for the older adult should be non stressful, mobilising and strengthening for the purposes of maintaining flexibility and coordination. Individual differences will dictate the degree of optional variants.

Entry and exit points should be suitable for the older adult participant. Whilst the aqua
instructor must be attentive during entry and exit times, they are not responsible for assisting participants in and out of the water.

Pregnancy
All healthy pregnant women without contraindications are encouraged to participate at a lower intensity level during the mainstream aqua class. The supportive and buoyant effects of water are conducive to pregnant women participating in aqua classes to maintain their health and wellbeing during pregnancy. Pregnant women must always be monitored for increases in body temperature; the instructor must use observation and questioning techniques.

The aqua instructor should refer to a physiotherapist or GP if the woman indicates complications with her pregnancy, including pelvic girdle pain, musculoskeletal conditions, hypertension, blood pressure related problems, diabetes, multiple pregnancies, heart, vascular or renal disease.

The aqua instructor who has completed the specific populations unit of competency will be armed with the knowledge to enable pregnant women to attend a mainstream aqua class. However, aqua classes run exclusively for pregnant women will require the aqua instructor to have completed additional specialist training.

Conclusion
AUSTSWIM encourages aquatic activity for all community members and is committed to proactively addressing strategies within the Australian Water Safety Council’s (AWSC) drowning prevention plan. Creating  opportunities for more aqua professionals addresses a key priority area within the AWSC Strategy 2016 ‐ 2020.

For some, the aquatic environment is often the only effective setting in which to remain active. The results of people remaining physically active are known to have long‐term positive benefits on health and wellbeing. Lap swimming, horizontal physical activity may not always be an option; the vertical activity provided by aqua is a very viable option that has resulted in the ongoing popularity of ‘aqua’.