;

All swimming must be under the direct control of a responsible person who will ensure that the appropriate safety cover and safety briefings are provided.

The responsible person must:

• ensure that the location is suitable for swimming;

• arrange safety cover appropriate to the number of swimmers and the location;

• brief the persons providing the safety cover on their duties;

• ensure that the necessary safety equipment is provided;

• have read and accepted any written operating procedures relating to the location.

Where appropriate, the responsible person must take into account:

• the location and temperature of the water;

• the weather conditions;

• the age, ability and state of health of the swimmers;

• the suitability of the water with respect to depth, cleanliness, rocks and the movement of any tide, current or undertow.

The responsible person must brief the swimmers on the following points:

• any matters specific to the location, e.g. limits to the area in use, other water users and hazards;

• demonstrate the emergency signal to be used to tell all swimmers to leave the water;

• that swimmers must swim together in pre-arranged groups of two or three and if one of them gets into difficulties the other(s) must raise the alarm.