Swimming (Instructional in Lakes, Ponds, Rivers)

• Determine that all equipment is safe (for example, no sharp corners, cracks, or splinters) and all assistive devices (for example, a walker) are in good working condition and properly adjusted for the height and mobility needs of the student prior to participation.

Refer to the First Aid section for first aid equipment requirements.

• Appropriate clothing and footwear must be worn.

• When long hair poses a safety risk it must be secured. Devices (for example, hair pins, elastics and barrettes) used to tie back long hair must not present a safety concern.

• Students must not participate when the length of fingernails poses a safety risk to themselves or others.

• Determine that all facilities are safe and accessible for the students participating. Students must be encouraged to report facility problems to the teacher.

• When environmental conditions may pose a risk to student safety (for example, thunderstorms [lightning] or student(s) with asthma, triggered by air quality), Teachers must take into consideration their school board/school’s protocols and procedures related to:
  • environmental conditions (consult Weather); and
  • insects (for example, mosquitoes and ticks [consult the school/school board’s protocols and/or regional Public Health Department’s website]).
• Students must receive instruction on safety procedures related to environmental conditions (for example, severe weather, wildlife, poisonous plants), the associated health risks (for example, hypothermia, sunburn, heat stroke) and be made aware of ways to protect themselves (for example, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, appropriate clothing, adequate hydration).
• At all times the school board’s weather and insect procedures are the minimum standards.

• When a student displays hesitation (verbally or non-verbally) with participating, the Teacher must determine the reason(s) for doubt. If the Teacher believes that a potential hesitancy during the skill could put the student at risk, the student must be directed toward a more basic skill, or be permitted to select a role within the activity at their comfort level, including the choice to not participate.

• Prior to participation, the Teacher must reference and apply their school board's policy on equity and inclusion as it affects student participation and makes appropriate accommodations/modifications to provide a safe learning environment. Consult the Intent subsection within the About section.

• Students must not participate in the activity until they receive information on concussion prevention specific to the activity, inherent risks of the activity (for example, outline possible risks and ways to minimize the risks), and procedures and rules for safe play. Students must receive instruction on the importance of reporting symptoms related to a suspected concussion.

• Activities must be modified according to the age, ability level, language, and experience of students, number of participants, and the facility available.

• Previous training, fitness level, and the length of time and intensity of physical activity must be taken into consideration.

• Activities must be based on skills that are taught.

• Skills must be taught in proper progression.

• A warm-up and cool-down must be included.

• Adequate liquid replacement (personal water bottles, water fountains) must be accessible for students before, during, and after physical activity to prevent dehydration.

• All activities must be supervised.

• The type of supervision must be commensurate with the inherent risk of the activity. The level of risk is related to the number of participants, the skill level of the participants, the type of equipment used, and environmental conditions.

• Direct Supervision is required during the safety and initial skill instruction.

• A Volunteer, under the direction of a Teacher, can monitor students during physical education activities. Refer to your school board’s policy on Volunteers assisting with students’ physical activities.

• Responsibilities must be clearly outlined for additional Teachers and Volunteers who are monitoring the activity.

• Where a Qualified Instructor is used and the Teacher is not directly with the Qualified Instructor, the Qualified Instructor must provide safety and initial skill instruction, and monitoring for the safe application of skills and student behaviour for the duration of the activity.

• There must be a minimum of 2 certified aquatic instructors at the waterfront.
• Supervision ratio is 2 certified aquatic instructors per 1-25 students, with both instructors also certified as lifeguards.
• For every additional 25 students, an additional certified aquatic instructor is required.

Refer to the definition of Instructional Time.

• An Aquatic Instructor must possess both an Aquatic Instructor certificate and a Lifeguard certificate that are dated not more than two years prior to the date on which they are required to instruct and lifeguard. If the Aquatic Instructor does not hold a Lifeguard certificate, a certified Lifeguard must also be on the dock/shore during the aquatic instruction.
• Aquatic Instructor Certificates for Waterfronts:
  • Lifesaving Society - Instructor Certificate
  • YMCA - Instructor Certificate

• Verified copies of certification must be available in the swimming area.

• A Lifeguard must be 18 years of age or older and possess a current (the date on the certificate must not be older than two years) Lifeguard certificate issued by one of the following organizations:
  • Lifesaving Society – National Lifeguard – Pool/Waterfront
  • Equivalent certificate approved by Minister of Health and Long Term Care
• A student may not act as a Lifeguard if they are participating in the activity.

• Lifeguard certification is the only acceptable standard in a recreational camp waterfront scenario.

• Verified copies of certification must be available in the swimming area.

• A fully stocked first aid kit must be readily accessible. (Consult Outdoor Education Sample Kit Contents)

• A working communication device (for example, satellite or cell phone, or satellite GPS messenger) suitable for the activities/locations must be available. This device must be maintained, waterproofed, protected and dedicated for emergency communications only. The phone number for the device, and phone numbers for emergency services and school contact people (for example, the principal) must be included with the phone.

• Follow the school's first aid emergency response ((consult First Aid Plan and First Aid Emergency Response) and the school board’s concussion protocol (consult Concussions)).

• An emergency action plan and response to deal with evacuations and lockdowns, including specific direction for participants with accessibility needs, must be followed and communicated to all students. 

• In-charge Person:
  • Some activities refer to an “In-Charge” person. While the teacher is in-charge and responsible for the overall safety and well-being of students under their care, sometimes there are other personnel who must be identified as “In-Charge” related to specific situations (for example, a pool lifeguard). In activities where an “In-Charge” person is designated, that person, in consultation with the teacher, must make final decisions regarding safety of the students

• Instructional Time:
  • Time during which there is formal instruction and/or instructor led activities. Examples of instructional time are lessons, events, practice, and games.

• Lifeguard, Assistant Lifeguard and Aquatic Instructor:
  • Refer to the Qualification section.

• Lifejacket:
  • Canadian-approved lifejackets are designed to turn an unconscious or incapacitated person face-up in the water. Lifejackets are available with varying amounts of flotation and turning ability. Canadian approved Lifejackets are stamped or labelled indicating that they are approved by Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard or the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

• Monitor:
  • An individual who assists the Teacher with a group of students, (e.g., Volunteer, Qualified Instructor) and has a responsibility to monitor student behaviors for the duration of the activity.

• Monitoring:
  • The role of monitoring is to observe, identify, act, and report:
    • Observe: Observe with attention to detail the actions of the students.
    • Identify: Identify the student and the unsafe behaviour.
    • Act: Take appropriate actions to safeguard students and others (e.g., stop the activity).
    • Report: Provide the name of the student and the unsafe behaviour to the teacher for management and direction.

• Outside Activity Provider:
  • A commercial company, volunteer organization, or individual, not associated with the school board, who possess the required qualifications to provide safety and initial skill instruction, and monitoring for the duration of an activity.

• Personal Flotation Device (P.F.D.):
  • Canadian-approved P.F.D.’s are designed for use in recreational boating and are generally smaller, less bulky and more comfortable than lifejackets. They may have less flotation than lifejackets and may have no or little self-turning ability (the ability to turn an unconscious or incapacitated person face-up in the water). Canadian approved P.F.D.’s are stamped or labelled indicating that they are approved by Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard or the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

• Qualified Instructor:
  • An individual who provides safety and skill instruction, and monitoring for an activity, and possesses the required qualifications (e.g., experience, certifications). This role could be fulfilled by a teacher, volunteer, or an employee of an outside provider. An instructor does not have the authority to supervise.

• Supervision:
  • The vigilant overseeing of an activity for management or direction. Activities, facilities, and equipment have inherent risks, but the more effectively they are supervised, the safer they become.
  • The Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education includes three Types of supervision, Direct Supervision, On-Site Supervision, and In-the-Area Supervision. These types of supervision take into consideration the level of risk, which is related to the number of participants, the skill level of the participants, the type of equipment used, the environmental conditions, the age, and developmental stage.
  • The three types of supervision described are not hierarchical but represent the type of supervision that activities require and the type of supervision that is inherently possible.
  • Some activities in OPASSE transition from one type of supervision to another type of supervision (e.g., Direct Supervision to On-Site Supervision OR On-Site Supervision to In-the-Area Supervision).

• Teacher:
  • A person with a current certification from the Ontario College of Teachers and under contract by the school/school board (i.e., teacher, vice-principal, principal). This person is legally responsible for the students and has the authority and responsibility to supervise.

• Trip Guide:
  • An individual who has the required certifications and/or knowledge/skills of the route and activity. This role could be fulfilled by a Teacher, a Volunteer, or an employee of an Outside Activity Provider and must be approved by the school/school board. Trip Guides have been instructed on their monitoring responsibilities.

• Types of Supervision:
  • Direct Supervision:
    • Direct Supervision requires that the Teacher is physically present at the activity, providing visual and verbal oversight for management and direction of both, the activity and student safety.
      • Provisos:
        • No other activity can occur when part of the activity or the entire activity is under Direct Supervision when there is only one Teacher supervising.
        • The Supervision section of the relevant activity safety standards page in the Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education describes when parts of an activity are under Direct Supervision.
        • Where a Qualified Instructor(s) is providing the safety and initial skill instruction and monitoring for one activity and requires the Teacher to be present at that activity for management and direction.
      • An activity may be under Direct Supervision:
        • During the entire duration of the activity;
        • During the set up and take down of equipment; .
        • During the safety and initial skill instruction;
        • During the performance/practice of the activity skill; and
        • When the activities transition from Direct Supervision to On-Site Supervision.
  • In-the-Area Supervision:
    • The Teacher is located in proximity to a combination of locations where the student activities take place, is circulating, and is accessible for providing management and direction of the physical activity and student safety.
      • Provisos:
        • The Teacher is circulating between the activities occurring at separate locations, and is readily accessible, or the location of the Teacher is communicated to the student.
        • Where a Qualified Instructor(s) is providing the safety and skill and instruction and is monitoring at a combination of locations, the Teacher is located in proximity to where the student activities take place, is circulating between the activity locations, and is accessible for management and direction.
        • Students may be out of sight for periods of time.
      • An activity or a component of the activity is under In-the-Area Supervision:
        • Where the same activity is located in separate locations (e.g., Fitness activities);
        • Where two or more activities under In-the-Area Supervision occur in separate locations (e.g., Badminton, Table Tennis, Handball (Wall));
        • Where the skill application of the activity takes place at a separate location from the teacher (e.g., Cross Country Running, Skiing (Alpine), Cycling, hiking on trails);
        • When the activities occur in double or triple gymnasiums; and
        • Where more than one Qualified Instructor is providing activities at a combination of locations.
  • On-Site Supervision:
    • The Teacher is present at one location where the student activity takes place (e.g., gymnasium, sports field, climbing wall at an Outside Activity Provider’s facility, campsite) and is accessible for providing management and direction of the physical activity and student safety.
      • Provisos:
        • Where more than one activity occurs in one location, the Teacher is circulating between the activities and is accessible for management and direction.
        • Momentary presence in adjoining rooms (e.g., equipment room, outdoor storage shed, boathouse, staff tent) is considered to be On-Site Supervision.
        • Where a Qualified Instructor(s) is providing the safety and initial skill instruction and monitoring for an activity or a combination of activities at one location and the Teacher is present and is circulating and accessible for management and direction.
      • An activity may be under On-Site Supervision:
        • During the entire duration of the activity;
        • During the safety and initial skill instruction;
        • With activities using multiple stations while the Teacher is circulating;
        • When combining two or more activities at one location while the Teacher is circulating; and
        • When activities transition from On-Site Supervision to In-the-Area Supervision.

• Volunteer:
  • A responsible adult (e.g., Educational Assistants, Retired Teachers, Co-op Students, Parents/Guardians, Teacher Candidates) approved by the Principal/Designate who is under the direction of a Teacher and has been instructed on their monitoring responsibilities. Refer to your school board’s policy on volunteers assisting with student’s physical activities.