Many schools as part of sport, physical education or special focus programs engage in aquatic activities and conduct programs which may be categorised as:

• weekly training and instruction sessions which provide for water safety, life saving and advanced swimming programs
• intensive learn to swim and water safety programs
• recreational swimming incorporated in sport programs, school excursions and camp situations
• Surf education initiatives conducted by Surf Life Saving NSW and seaside councils and designed for students training to gain surf qualifications or developed as surf awareness programs.

For all aquatic programs and activities parents must be informed of full details of the location, supervision to be provided and planned activities to be undertaken when seeking their written permission. The permission note must contain a clause authorising medical aid if it is considered necessary by the supervising teacher. The note should also include a section where the parent advises the school of any illness or medical condition that the student suffers from, or any medication the student is currently taking (including asthma sprays, etc). If a student suffers from a medical condition which might put that swimmer at risk in the water, a medical certificate must be obtained for the student to participate in the swimming program.

Parents of students participating in excursions which incorporate aquatic activities must be asked to indicate the swimming ability of their children when giving consent. If parents indicate students are poor or non swimmers, principals will need to assess whether such students should participate in the swimming or water activities. This assessment will need to take into account whether flotation devices can be used to aid the student. This assessment must take place irrespective of parental permission for the students to participate in the swimming or water activities.

For students with disabilities, supervision requirements will vary and need to be assessed accordingly. Particular attention may need to be given to:

• the possible need for integration aides and trained volunteers with specialist expertise and qualifications who might advise on adaptations and improvisation before and during the activities
• consideration of fitness levels of participants
• the need for additional support or safety equipment, such as buoyancy vests
• suitability of facilities and access for students in wheelchairs or who have restricted mobility
• specific medical needs of students
• water temperature and weather conditions.

When epileptic students participate in swimming activities, there must be one supervisor, not necessarily a teacher, for each student in the water. A teacher must always be responsible for the overall supervision of the group.

Students are to be instructed to use adequate sun protection, eg. as a minimum a SPF15+, broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen reapplied regularly and a hat when not in the water. For outdoor venues, parents and students should be advised to provide a shirt for additional protection in the water. A rash vest is ideal for this purpose.

Teachers planning swimming and water safety activities, either as a special focus program or part of an excursion, need to be familiar with the procedures described in the memorandum Excursions and Other Visits (97/137).

Where adults other than teachers, are engaged to assist school staff in the supervision or instruction of swimming groups, principals should refer to the Memorandum to Principals Welfare of Students While Engaged in Activities Conducted Under the Auspices of the School (97/138) in order to assess their bona fides.

Sports activities and excursions involving water activities are to be accompanied by a staff member with current training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency care (Memorandum 93/3142). Re-accreditation for CPR is required annually and every three (3) years for the emergency care qualification.

Student Preparation

Students need to be progressively introduced to and taught the skills needed for safe participation. To ensure that students have a safe and enjoyable experience, it is important that their skill levels and abilities are appropriate for the activity and the venue.

The preparation of students to be safe recreational swimmers will vary according to the student's age, ability and experience, the venue and the nature of the proposed swimming activity. Such preparation might include the following types of information and procedures:

• the potential risks of swimming at the selected venue
• the essential safe practices for swimming at the venue
• the boundaries of the swimming and out-of-water waiting, rest or playing area
• how to use swimming aids and other equipment safely
• who to notify if leaving or returning to the water
• designation of recreation and rest areas when out of the water
• what to do and or say if approached by an unwelcome member of the public
• any limitations to activities or play in the water
• the sun protection measures that are appropriate
• the response to any accident or other emergency that might occur