School Safety Guidelines
Another Partnership Success Story
Lifesaving Society Expertise Influences School Safety Guidelines
Congratulations to The Alberta Centre for Injury Control & Research (ACICR) who has recently published their revised Safety Guidelines for Physical Activity in Alberta Schools. Throughout the revision process, the Lifesaving Society is proud to have provided input with our standard setting expertise.
These safety guidelines provide teachers and school boards with safe practices related to physical education, the daily physical activity initiative, intramural activities and recess or lunch breaks.
The goal of these safety guidelines is to influence choices made by teaching staff and influence the policies made by school authorities in order to minimize the inherent risk associated with the physical activity.
The following recommendations are included within the Safety Guidelines:
Instruction:
- Students participating in water activities conducted in water deeper than chest height should meet the Swim to Survive® Standard.
- Students who cannot meet the Swim to Survive® Standard can still participate in deep water activities as long as they are wearing a properly fitted lifejacket or PFD.
- Prior to participating in boating activities, students should demonstrate the three skills involved in the Swim to Survive® Standard while wearing a properly fitted lifejacket or PFD.
Supervision:
- Student to lifeguard ratio is specific to each facility. This ratio is based on the Lifesaving Society - Public Aquatic Facility Safety Standards. Consult with the facility to determine their requirements.
- Constant visual supervision during the entire activity by a certified National Lifeguard is recommended.
- When using teaching staff as the designated lifeguard, they must be familiar with the procedures of the facility being used.
Download your copy of the Safety Guidelines from the "Resources" section of the Injury Prevention Centre website: http://injurypreventioncentre.ca/resources