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Posted By Joe Ridley
Hi there,
I am currently assisting our leisure centre managers in revising their operating procedures and have came across a requirement which I would be grateful if there was some feedback on.
The issue involves diving from the poolside into the water. So far I have checked with HSG 179, PAS 65 and industry guidelines on this (ISRM) and they all state the same, namely diving should only be permitted where the water depth is at least 1.5m with a forward clearance of 7.6m and freeboard height (pool surround above water level) of 0.38m. In one of our facilities the freeboard height is 0.48m. We meet the criteria for water depth and clearance. I am advising the manager that diving should not be permitted as the freeboard height is in excess of 0.38m on the basis that if someone were to dive into the pool and recieve a neck injury, then if there was a claim we could find it difficult to defend.
I am actually assisting on their risk assessment which is why this has come up. The manager thinks I am being unreasonable, does anyone else think I am?
Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.
Cheers
joe
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Posted By Brian McMillan
ISRM Document on the subject refers to "Where the height of the freeboard exceeds 0.38m FINA requirements as per 1m boards should be met".
Despite trying to source the FINA requirements I have drawn a blank at present. Sounds like there may be different hoops to leap through in relation to water depth etc though!
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Posted By Allan St.John Holt
Personally I wouldn't get too hung up on the numbers. I think you are right, for practical reasons. The thing to remember is the physics of it - there is no slowing action from the water in the pool until the hips have passed through the water surface. For anyone above average height, even the figures you quote would not give very much braking effect and they would end up doing a handstand from a dive. Which is why some many necks break, as the arms buckle and the chin hits the bottonm of the pool. The standards are to be treated as guidance - if you want to minimise the chance of injury the maximum possible depth of water is needed.
Allan
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Posted By Clairey O
Hi Joe
Although I am relatively new to h & s, I have been a pool ta for a number of years, I would whole heartedly support your decision in having a no diving policy.
What would be the impact on swimming lessons under qualified supervision?
What are the centre manager's objections - this is a policy that i have implemented across many different sites, without objections.
feel free to email me if you need more info
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Posted By Cathy Ricketts
There used to be a document available (I think through the ASA) called Diving in Swimming Pools I know it is referred to in their risk assessment check list for swimming events. In a number of the pools I have attended with teams in the past where the water depth has been less than 0.9M then they have had to start in the water as opposed to diving off blocks. Operators usually specify the policy but if your pool is used by local swimming clubs it might be worth speaking to them as to how your non diving policy will effect their training facility - not against a ban on diving as far as joe bloggs public is concerned but good communication with other users can be useful especially when you need to teach/coach starts and turns
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Posted By Red Ones
Personally, I would document to the Manager(s) concerned that the industry guidelines are for depth 1.5m clear room 7.6m and freeboard of no more than 0.38m etc etc If they then decide to come up with their own ruling, it will be upto them to raise a Risk Assessment and document why they feel they are special. It would be unwise of them to come to any conclusion other than that recommended by ISRM
I am sure there will be resistance to this, but ask them the questions, "What level of trade do you think we will lose by banning diving? What is the likely impact on the business should someone hit their head on the bottom or another swimmer? Is the risk worth the hassle?"
As far as swimming clubs go...Racing Entry is not counted as a dive by FINA. Racing Starts are closely supervised and specific training should be carried out by the club prior to their use by members. You could therefore look at arguing that racing starts are conducted with additional control measures in place to reduce the risk
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Posted By Joe Ridley
Hi there,
Thanks to all who responded, it looks they are going to go with no diving. On checking back over accident reports it was found that there had been at least three involving hitting heads off the bottom. I think this convinced them.
Thanks again
Joe
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