General requirements for water
activities
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There are lots of ways to enjoy the out of
doors through water activities, and there are types of boating and
water sports to suit all levels of ability and experience.
If you are planning to offer water activities
within guiding there are some general regulations and information
topics that you need to be aware of:
Commercial activity
providers
When using a commercial activity provider,
ensure it is reputable. You can verify the quality of a provider by
checking it has one of the following endorsements:
The above endorsements are not applicable in
Northern Ireland, where you should ask your local Outdoor
Activities Adviser to recommend an approved provider.
If not using a recognised activity centre, the
Leader or instructor must ensure any necessary permission is
obtained before any activity takes place. Your Outdoor Activities
Adviser can advise on local legislation.
Participant
requirements
Each participant must be able to:
- swim 50 metres
- keep afloat for five minutes in the clothes
normally worn for the activity.
Participants may fulfil these rules wearing a
buoyancy aid or life jacket when either is required for the
activity.
These rules may be relaxed when:
- using public or licensed transport
- it is clearly unnecessary, for example on
water that is not classified, such as very shallow boating
pools.
If you have a participant with a medical
condition that will affect her ability to swim, ensure that you
inform the instructor and make provision to allow her to
participate safely.
Craft certification and
safety
Every craft owned or on long-term loan to a
Girlguiding UK unit or area for use in guiding activities must:
- have a Girlguiding UK Boat Certificate,
available from the Information Team – chq@girlguiding.org.uk
- have the certificate renewed annually.
The craft must be inspected to ensure it
is:
- in good condition
- suitable for the purpose and the class of
water.
The appropriate Adviser may nominate a
competent person to carry out the inspection.
If the craft passes the inspection, the
Outdoor Activities Adviser issues a Boat Certificate which is valid
for 12 months. The certificate is used to obtain a Girlguiding UK
boat registration sticker from the Information Team. The sticker
should be displayed clearly on the boat.
If major repairs are carried out during the 12
months that the certificate is valid, the craft must be
re-inspected; if appropriate a new certificate is issued.
Each craft must:
- carry safety equipment appropriate to its
type
- not be overloaded
- be buoyant enough to stay afloat even if
capsized or damaged.
Insurance
The Leader should ensure that the craft and
associated equipment (whether borrowed privately, or hired from a
commercial provider) are adequately insured.
The Association has a facility with its
insurers to obtain such cover, if necessary.
Click here for more information on Girlguiding UK
insurance.
Marine Contingency Liability policy
Girlguiding UK operates a Marine Contingency
Liability policy. This policy covers the Association’s legal
liability for:
- bodily injury to a third party
- loss or damage to third party property
arising out of the use of a marine craft.
Environmental
factors
Water activities should be undertaken in
accordance with:
- advice from the Environment Agency and local
environmental health department
- regulations laid down by the managers of a
local water authority or agency.
On the day, the Leader should ensure that the
water is safe for the activity. Water should be inspected for signs
of visible pollution, for example rubbish, blue-green algae or chemicals. If either the
Leader or the instructor is not satisfied that the conditions are
safe, the activity must be abandoned.
The Leader should ensure each participant (or
her parent if the participant is aged under 18) is aware of the
dangers and symptoms of Weil’s disease
and knows what action to take if infection is suspected. On the day
of the activity participants should be advised to cover cuts and
grazes with waterproof plasters.
Page last updated: 5/18/2012