RAMS - Snorkelling

Potential Risks (the things that could go wrong)

  1. Taken by current
  2. Drowning
  3. Loss of equipment
  4. Loss of confidence
  5. Cuts from sharp rocks
  6. Neck/spinal injury (from diving in)
  7. Medical emergency – anaphylaxis/lack of medication

Causal Factors

Management Strategies

Hazards caused by people

Risks not known

Instructions not followed

Inability to swim

Students getting separated from the group

Personal medical conditions/special needs

Students too far out of their comfort zone

Lack of skill - students

Students getting separated from the group

Lack of skill - instructors/teachers

Diving into water


Hazards caused by equipment

Inadequate safety equipment

Insufficient wetsuits

Snorkels and masks not fit for purpose

Lack of towels/warm clothes

Breaking equipment


Hazards caused by the environment

Sharp rocks at shore in places

Current in channel



Deep water

Dumping waves

Large swell

Extreme weather

Tsunami


Sun - UV damage

Prolonged exposure to cold water

Hazard management strategies

Brief students on risks

Students to follow all instructions

Ensure that all students are competent swimmers

Monitor student whereabouts, students to stay in designated area

Medical information obtained and understood by trip leader. Students to have their medications on hand

Encourage challenge by choice

Train students at school, sequence activities to allow for success and growth

Use a buddy system, ensure the trip leaders have excellent group management

Instructors/teachers to have sufficient knowledge, skills, and experience to lead the trip

Students to enter the water gently, without diving


Hazard management strategies

Have kayaks on the water near snorkelers, to provide support if needed

Check wetsuit numbers before heading out

Check the condition of masks and snorkels before heading out

Remind students to bring a change of clothing and a towel

Educate students on correct use of equipment


Hazard management strategies

Inform students about the sharp rocks and oyster shells around rocks. Keep off those

Disclose risks around the channel and currents

Set up boundaries

Set entry and exit point on beach

Make sure students are confident in deep water

Ensure that the kayak trip is performed in sheltered water, such as at Reotahi Marine Reserve in Whangarei

Harbour

Postpone trip in case of extreme weather events

Stay up to date with current events regarding earthquakes and tsunami risk. Get to high ground if tsunami alarm is

sounded

Bring sunscreen, ensure that students know where it is and to apply it regularly

Monitor students, wear wetsuits when the water is cold. Have regular breaks to eat and hydrate

Emergency Protocols (if management strategies fail and an incident happens)

Risk

1. Taken by current

2. Drowning

3. Loss of equipment

4. Loss of confidence

5. Injury from other

student’s paddles

6. Neck/spinal injury

7. Medical emergency

Procedures to deal with emergency

Instructor to tow swept-out student to shore, then paddle back

Bring casualty to shore, give first aid/CPR, call 111. Continue CPR until help arrives

Retrieve if possible, replace if not

Coach and support student, remind them about "challenge by choice" to empower them

Apply first aid, seek medical attention if needed


Stabilise patient, call for an ambulance, apply first aid

Give medication, call for an ambulance

Emergency gear required

Tow rope

Face shield, Cell phone

Nil

Nil

First aid kit


Nil

Personal medications, antihistamines, adrenaline