water based activities
EVERY PERSON GOING ON THE WATER MUST WEAR CORRECTLY FITTING PERSONAL BUOYANCY WHICH COMPLIES WITH CURRENT EU STANDARDS
USAGE
Personal buoyancy should be worn while on boats and in the vicinity of the river, including banks and jetties
Buoyancy aids
50 newton suitable for swimmers
suitable for non swimmers in canoe catamaran or pontoon boat
Lifejackets
150 newton suitable for swimmers and non swimmers
EU STANDARDS
All personal buoyancy must comply with EU standards and be CE marked
Buoyancy aids EN 393
Lifejackets EN 395
EN 396
EN 399
CHECKS
Buoyancy aids (including staff issue) and lifejackets will be float checked annually in-house
Monthly logged inspections will be carried out and any buoyancy aid or lifejacket found to be in disrepair will be taken out of service until repair is made good
All jackets must be clean and presentable
NON CENTRE PERSONAL BUOYANCY
Privately owned personal buoyancy should meet the above requirements and be in a good state of repair
VENUE
Hamble River from Botley Bridge to Hamble Ferry
(moderate tidal water)
STAFFING
Technical Expert BCU level 3 coach (open canoe)
Instructor BCU level 2 coach (open canoe)
RATIO
Rafted open canoes
1:8
8 people maximum
May be used by swimmers and non swimmers
Open canoes 1:8 3 people maximum per boat
Open canoes paddled solo 1:6
Open canoes can be used by swimmers
or those who are water confident in a capsize situation
· BCU level 2 coaches and above are trained to recognise when circumstances allow these guidelines to be safely exceeded, or when lower limits should be applied. The instructor in charge may exercise discretion based on his or her experience (though not to accept greater numbers for commercial or other similar reasons).
· Maximum of 16 people on one session. Other sessions may run concurrently.
· Visiting staff to be included within numbers.
· Apart from the instructor there must be at least one other responsible adult present aware the abilities and disabilities of individuals within the group.
EQUIPMENT
Canoes should be in good state of repair and meet with BCU standards.
Painters, toggles, buoyancy must be secured.
Catamaran fixings must be secure and well maintained.
Paddles should be in a good state of repair.
All participants must wear correctly fitting personal buoyancy (EU standards)
Participants should wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
INSTRUCTOR EQUIPMENT
buoyancy aid paddle (with spare paddle available)
first aid kit survival bag throw bag
mobile phone spare clothing and drinks (depending on season)
PRE-SESSION:
When planning a session consideration needs to be given to:
WEATHER Air temperature, wind (speed and direction), water temperature, outlook, when appropriate wind, chill, burn time.
TIDE time of high/low water, range.
GROUP ABILITY special needs of individuals, medical issues.
Report/record details of
direction/destination and estimated return time.
SESSION:
Check equipment at start of session.
Fit and check personal buoyancy before going afloat.
Give safety talk/demonstration (as appropriate) at start of session.
Ensure that care is taken
While participants are on jetty or near water.
While any participant remains on the water.
Ensure that care is taken (including consideration of manual handling issues)
While moving canoes
While launching canoes
While helping participants to embark
WHEN AFLOAT
Obey general navigation rules
Take care near moorings and marinas
Avoid close quarters situations with other boats, moorings, etc
Keep clear of sites of environmental significance, mudflats, nests, etc
When using un-rafted canoes instructor must be able to carry out a deep water rescue from whichever craft he is using.
END OF SESSION
Ensure care is taken
when disembarking, and while on jetty
while putting boats away (during busy periods canoes should not be left unattended on jetty)
Faulty equipment should be labelled (red band/yellow tag) and/or removed from service. The fault should be logged (staffroom whiteboard/check sheet) and made good as soon as possible.
THE INSTRUCTOR HAS FINAL SAY IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT A SESSION TAKES PLACE AND IN WHAT MANNER IT IS CARRIED OUT
Suntracker, Invader pontoon boats
VENUE
Hamble River; within river estuary
STAFFING
Instructor RYA Powerboat level 2, plus in-house induction and training
RATIO
Instructor: Maximum 12 passengers. In addition to the Instructor there must be at least one responsible adult present during session aware of the abilities and disabilities within the group
EQUIPMENT
Boat must be in good state of repair. The following should all be in good condition and working order:
hulls, sides/gates, decking, seating, painters, attachment points, outboard engine fuel tanks, battery, anchor, steering wheel/cables, fire extinguisher
Instructor should have available:
paddle, mobile phone, first aid kit, tool kit
Monthly logged checks will be carried out on the boats and their fittings
Engines will be serviced regularly
PRE SESSION
When planning the way a session will be run consideration needs to be given to:
WEATHER Air temperature, wind (speed and direction), water temperature, outlook, when appropriate wind, chill, burn time.
TIDE time of high/low water, range.
GROUP ABILITY special needs of individuals, medical issues.
Report/record
details of direction/destination and estimated return time.
Check boat, equipment and amount of fuel carried
SESSION
Fit and check personal buoyancy before going afloat
Give safety talk (eg, personal buoyancy, appropriate behaviour, emergency drills, appropriate clothing) at start of session
Ensure that care is taken while participants are on jetty or near water
END OF SESSION
Ensure care is taken
when disembarking, while on jetty and while putting boat away
(during busy periods pontoon boat should not be left unattended on jetty)
Faulty equipment should be labelled (red band) and/or removed from service. The fault should be logged (staffroom whiteboard/check sheet) and made good as soon as possible.
THE INSTRUCTOR HAS FINAL SAY IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT A SESSION TAKES PLACE AND IN WHAT MANNER IT IS CARRIED OUT
VENUE
Tidal section of Hamble River - specifically shore line of Manor Farm Country Park, including Hoe Moor Creek
STAFFING
Instructor BCU coach level 2 with current first aid or lifesaving qualification
Assistant competent adult with current first aid or lifesaving qualification
RATIO
Ashore one instructor or assistant per eight students
Afloat one instructor per eight students
EQUIPMENT
Rafting equipment - poles, barrels, ropes in good state of repair, paddles
Students equipment - lifejackets and helmets to be worn when afloat
Instructor equipment - buoyancy aid, rescue boat (canoe/motorboat as appropriate), first aid kit, survival bag, throw bag, knife, mobile phone
Transport - should be available at raft building site
PRE SESSION
when planning the session consideration needs to be given to:
Weather air and water temperature, wind, outlook
Tide time of high/low water, range
Group ability special needs of individuals, medical issues
Location of activity jetty congestion, access issues, etc
Condition of equipment equipment in good condition
SESSION
Give safety talk at beginning of session
Ensure care is taken:
while participants are moving and handling equipment
while participants are on jetty or river bank
Check suitability of rafts before they are launched
Check personal buoyancy and helmets before going afloat
Personal buoyancy must be worn when launching rafts, when afloat or when on jetty
END OF SESSION
Equipment should be checked and put away after session
Ropes rinsed and dried; muddy wet lifejackets, buoyancy aids, waterproofs rinsed and dried
Faulty or damaged equipment should be labelled and/or removed from service, the fault logged and made good as soon as is practical
THE INSTRUCTOR HAS FINAL SAY IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT A SESSION TAKES PLACE AND IN WHAT MANNER IT IS CARRIED OUT