4.5 Swimming and Water Activities

Overview

Swimming is an important life skill and can be an enjoyable part of educational visits. However, activities in and around water carry inherent risks and must be carefully planned and supervised.

All swimming or water-based activities must be included in the visit plan and consent process in advance. Spontaneous swimming in pools, lakes, rivers, the sea or other water bodies should not take place. Consider whether unauthorised swimming may be attempted.

General Principles

When planning swimming activities, you should ensure that:

• Participants are supervised by a competent adult at all times
• Educational or recreational benefits are balanced with appropriate safety precautions
• Lifeguard arrangements are confirmed in advance, particularly when visiting pools abroad or in hotels

Swimming Pools

Lifeguarded Pools

Where a pool has qualified lifeguard supervision:

• Additional employer approval is usually not required
• UK swimming pools operate under established health and safety regulations
• Pool operators are responsible for lifeguarding and safety management
• School staff retain pastoral supervision of participants

School staff should not take on lifeguarding duties unless they hold appropriate qualifications. Swimming instructors and supervisors must hold recognised qualifications for teaching and lifeguarding.

Hotel or Unsupervised Pools

• Lifeguard provision should be checked before the visit and in place
• If not, the Visit Leader assumes responsibility for safety arrangements
• The activity must be authorised by the Head/Manager and approved through EVOLVE

Appropriate qualifications may include:

• RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (or equivalent) for general swimming supervision
• RLSS National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches or Water Smart Award for structured activities

All staff should be familiar with emergency procedures, available support and whether the pool is being used exclusively by the group.

Open Water Swimming and Natural Water Bathing

Swimming in open or natural water environments requires additional planning and approval.

• Employer approval must be obtained through EVOLVE
• Activities should be planned and structured, not spontaneous
• Swimming should take place in recognised swimming/bathing areas with qualified lifeguard cover

Leaders should ensure that:

• Participants remain within sight and easy reach of supervisors
• Small group supervision or buddy systems are used
• The location has been assessed in advance and risks clearly identified

Hazards may include changing environmental conditions, hidden obstacles, varying water depth, water quality, currents, wildlife etc.

Key Points for Visit Leaders

Visit Leaders should ensure that:

• All swimming activities are planned and risk assessed in advance. You should also assess foreseeable opportunities for unauthorised water entry and put in place measures to prevent these occurrences.
• Lifeguarding arrangements are confirmed before the visit.
• Sufficient supervising staff have appropriate training or qualifications. Participants are continuously supervised and accounted for.
• Swimming does not take place if safe supervision cannot be guaranteed.

Approval via EVOLVE is required for activities involving unsupervised pools or swimming in natural water environments.