Safe Return To The Pool: British Swimming Coaches Association Issues Guidance To Members

Lane Space - Photo Courtesy: The Delly Carr Collection

Safe Return To The Pool strategies are starting to flow. As nations far and wide start to discuss exit strategies from lockdown measures imposed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has now infected more than 3.3 million people and claimed the lives of almost a quarter of a million according to official figures, sports are looking at their environments are working out how best to operate programs at a time when a return to work does not mean a return to what was. We considered the guidance to pool operators from the Pool Management Group earlier this week. Here is the guidance given by the British Swimming Coaches Association to its members head of decisions yet to be taken on when swimming pools can reopen and in what circumstances.

Revised BSCA advice to members on how to best alleviate potential spread of COVID-19 within the swimming programmes and Clubs

BSCA Resources as at end of 30.04.2020 – this is advice is constantly under review and will be updated at the BSCA website.

Commentary by the BSCA

As we now consider the impacts of the virus and behaviours to date, as well as a potential return to the pool, we now offer revised guidance & ask members to consider the following, as part of any risk assessment process they & their facility providers undertake.

It is imperative that coaches, Clubs and providers ensure that they are cognisant of any advice, conditions and rules set by their respective governments, public health authorities and National Governing Body:

Swimmers to be dropped off & collected outside training facilities, in line with normal child safeguarding protocols. Whilst we would ask parents to remain in their vehicles and at a safe distance, it is likely that sessions may be shorter to begin with so we would ask them to remain, especially in case there should be an emergency and immediate exiting is required. Social distancing would still apply in such circumstances.
Prescribed time windows of entry & changing for groups which are rigidly maintained to limit numbers in changing areas – anyone late is refused entry on grounds of safety
Whilst any facility’s respective NOP & EOP procedures are likely to be amended, we would recommend you review entry & exit methods at facilities, so as to limit contact with other members of the public; e.g. can access be gained directly to pool hall & changing areas using fire exits for periods stated in paragraph 2, rather than standard reception halls – to be agreed with providers
Agree with providers numbers to be allowed in respective pool at any one time and any amended movement protocols required around the space
Agree with providers numbers to be allowed per lane and consider swimmers starting at opposing ends of the pool, whilst in the same lane. It is our view that the likely areas of spread will be when swimmers congregate together around whiteboards, in changing areas and at pool ends between sets & reps, hence the advice above & below. It is important that this is done in partnership with your pool provider to ensure liability cover is maintained, following a full risk assessment
Limit the amount of equipment to be brought into the pool hall at this time and we certainly ask members whether snorkels for example are require
All equipment to be taken home after each session, maintained and cleaned at home. No equipment should be left at any facility, if this was previously your normal practice.
Consider how best to ensure that water bottles are not shared and are safely positioned & marked, so that this does not happen in error.
We recommend swimmers do not share equipment, swim clothing, hats & goggles at this time. Please bring ample extras, in case replacements are required.
Swimmers to shower at home pre & post sessions & not at training pool.
Ensure swimmers do not congregate in changing area and use individual cubicles ‘individually’.
Coaches, Swimmers and Parents to not congregate in hallways and corridors outside of the pool hall or reception of facilities.
Coaches ensure that they maintain appropriate distance from colleagues, staff, swimming members, lifeguards etc and make good use of alternative safe communication means.
Coaches should amend their use of whiteboards so that swimmers do not congregate around them when information is being imparted about exercises, sets etc.
Coaches should consider the use of acetate sheets or other waterproof items with session content upon them. Coaches should ensure that such are cleaned and disposed of effectively after use – do not reuse!
Coaches ensure they do not have any physical contact with swimmers.
Coaches should not share hand held equipment such as stopwatches, clipboards or whiteboard pens, with colleagues or others.
Parents / guardians do not attend or observe training or swim sessions (Swimming World asked about this one with an eye on Safe Sport – the provision is not to block observation simply to avoid having parents congregating in what are often tight spaces from which they usually view, spaces un conducive to social distancing in a country that relies almost entirely on indoor facilities)
Programmes consider relaxing the basis of Squad allocation to begin with, so that family members can train together. For social distancing it would be best to bring them all together and even train in the same lane if possible and workable.
Any swimmer who has a new cough or a temperature does not train for 14 days
Any swimmer who lives with anyone who is ill does not train for 14 days
Any swimmer with an underlying health condition does not train / swim
Any swimmer with a sibling or parent / grandparent who lives with them, with an underlying health condition should not train.
Any swimmer or a family member who lives with them, who is confirmed as having COVID -19, should confidentially advise their club to allow contact tracing to take place.
Clubs should have accurate attendance records for each session to ensure the above is being adhered to.

BSCA Resources as at end of 30.04.2020 – this is advice is constantly under review and will be updated at the BSCA website.

All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine, the International Swimming Hall of Fame, nor its staff.

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Jan Daly

3 years ago

I don’t know how this will affect swimming clubs.

Kimberly Joy

3 years ago

Reply to Jan Daly

Jan Daly It will shut them down. Just like it will with gyms

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3 years ago

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Jeanette Benjamin Trewern

3 years ago

Simon Andren

Paris Smith Jacobs

3 years ago

Very similar recommendations and planning we are covering today on ASCA LIVE.

Svetlana Barker

3 years ago

Reply to Paris Smith Jacobs

Paris Smith Jacobs ,
Good morning Paris,
I am looking for some information on how to open swimming facility after the Covid-19. I am a senior AQ Director at South Jersey.I would like to find how I can join the ASCA seminars, which might be helpful for my organization to creat a guide lines for swim team, swim lessons.
I am ASCA 2 level coach .
Regards
Svetlana

Paris Smith Jacobs

3 years ago

Reply to Paris Smith Jacobs

Svetlana Barker hi- our planning session today will be live on Facebook on the ASCA page at 11AM EST. Open to all. We will be focusing on team preparations with facilities and considerations, budgeting, etc.
There are several additional webinars out there for facility operations. I will send you a few links.

Svetlana Barker

3 years ago

Reply to Paris Smith Jacobs

thank you so much for your helpful information.
Looking forward to the upcoming conference.
Kindly,
Svetlana

Lisa Moss

3 years ago

Paul Moss

Joe Auer

3 years ago

Bess

Serge Score

3 years ago

I’m not sure if anyone knows that at the end of a set all the swimmers are at the wall. Breathing heavily and waiting for coach to describe next set… via white board. Which everyone needs to be at the wall to see.

Jessica Bauer

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

Serge Score before we had to stop practicing, our coaches had swimmers starting from both ends, with instruction at each end to minimize this. It worked fine.

Noreen

3 years ago

Reply to Jessica Bauer

Fantastic ! I thought this could work, good to hear it has been trialed successfully.

Sami Jo Wilson-Harris

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

That was going to be my suggestion. Have sets ending on opposite ends of the pool.

Serge Score

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

Jessica Bauer Look, you can’t be concerned about ‘social distancing’ in a swim lane. Swimmers go up and down the lane passing other swimmer(s) in lane. All swimmers are breathing. It doesn’t magically dissipate the moment it is exhaled.

Jessica Bauer

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

Serge Score there are efforts that can be made to reduce that. Our swimmers were staggered at opposite ends, and one per lane. It worked. And people 18 and under are relatively low risk anyway. We can’t all live in bubbles forever. That’s not ideal for our immune systems either.

Shirley Mireault

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

Jessica Bauer will never work here. We have 5 clubs using pool. We have 10 or more per lane (50 meter pool) every workout so which clubs or swimmers will get no pool time? Impossible to say swimmers will not be breathing on each other at end of pool. Plus with colleges not open yet, all ” away” swimmers are home too , adding to those wanting to get in water.

Jessica Bauer

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

Shirley Mireault big teams will certainly have bigger challenges. Our team is pretty small and we train outside. We are fortunate in that regard.

Shirley Mireault

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

Jessica Bauer we train in outdoor facilities as well..Bahamas is all outdoor pools. I get one lane only and have 12 per workout. I split the time but have some overlap with my groups ( lost my other facility in 2016 to hurricane) . Other clubs have way more and have 10 to 12 per lane.

Jessica Bauer

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

Shirley Mireault here’s hoping we’re all back in the water soon! Training in the Bahamas sounds amazing.

Shirley Mireault

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

Jessica Bauer we live in paradise but day to day is like everywhere else…hoping they open beaches soon …at least they could swim there!

Serge Score

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

Jessica Bauer 18 and under are low risk, yes. But can be carriers. Bring it back to family.
Look. I want pools open. I want to see athletes back in the water. But let’s not kid anyone. There is no way any exhaled breathing is not coming in contact with other swimmers in lane. Any and all lanes for that matter. It doesn’t sink to the bottom of the pool does it? It doesn’t evaporate does it? The only way to true be safe (when in pool) is to have only one swimmer per lane and only every-other-lane being used. If not, then you’re just fooling yourself. Sure the virus may not be passed from swimmer to swimmer if all lanes are being used, are you willing to play with those odds?

Jessica Bauer

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

Serge Score I think people should be able to decide if they want to take the risk or not. If you’re not comfortable, stay home. If you want to swim, go swim. There is new research this week that shows no one can find a single incidence of a child passing it to an adult. So that should also be considered. The info we have on this virus evolves daily.

Jessica Bauer

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

Serge Score also, the initial goal was to flatten the curve so as not to overwhelm hospitals. Should NYC start swimming? Probably not. But in many states, hospital capacity is only at 20%, so why has the goal now changed from “flatten the curve” to “no one should get it ever?”

Rolf Linse

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

Jessica Bauer But even two swimmers breathing heavily at one end is too much. Swimmers should stop in between the walls.

Andrew Webber

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

Serge Score that. Also passing each other in lanes whilst on their backs, accidental collisions, lifeguard rescue!? It ain’t happening folks…

Robert Lines

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

Nobody’s mentioned master’s swimming only under 18s

Mel McWhirter

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

Robert Lines we’re all set for a full lane for the McWhirter family!

Gareth Parker

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

Mel McWhirter We probably spend more time in very close proximity to our lane “family” than our real family so shouldn’t be a real problem . It’s only passing people on the way in /out . Hope you are all keeping well .

Robert Lines

3 years ago

Reply to Serge Score

Mel McWhirter well you should be ok then, I’m 69 now so just coming up to the have to be extra careful age, do you think I might be able to get a lane to myself?

Pam Smith

3 years ago

Any plan to address fecal viral shedding especially with young age group swimmers, learn to swim programs or multi use pools- daycare programs, disability/rehab etc.

Eileen Elizabeth

3 years ago

#23 is discriminatory. You can not deny a swimmer the ability to train because they have a family member with a health condition. The decision to train in these situations should be left to the family.

Keith

3 years ago

Reply to Eileen Elizabeth

A parent/guardian would need to sign a liability waiver.

Ann Doe

3 years ago

Reply to Eileen Elizabeth

this is to protect others (the swimmer’s family) I think it’s better be careful than to sorry later

Eileen Elizabeth

3 years ago

Reply to Eileen Elizabeth

Ann Doe I understand that. But you cannot deny a swimmer the right to train because a member of their family has a chronic illness. This has to break HIPPAA laws. Of course, it can be a suggestion, but not a requirement.

Ann Doe

3 years ago

Reply to Eileen Elizabeth

Eileen Elizabeth a lot of time.. when they just suggest..then no one actually take it seriously…take wearing mask in public for example..when the gov just suggest…no one really follow…not until when more and more people died and now they require to wear mask in public….

Mike Duvall

3 years ago

Reply to Eileen Elizabeth

new world new rules!

Chris Bromley

3 years ago

Reply to Eileen Elizabeth

Its not discriminatory – it’s protecting the vulnerable. If I lived with a family member with diabetes, hypertension, COPD or whatever, and I brought home this Coronavirus and they became infected, their risk of a severe outcome is high. Some NHS staff and other key workers are living separately to their families for this very reason.

Eileen Elizabeth

3 years ago

Reply to Eileen Elizabeth

Chris Bromley but medical info is private and you cannot require a non-swimming family members to divulge this info. Once things open up, anyone with a chronic medical condition is as likely to be exposed to the virus from going to the grocery store, work, or school as they are to being exposed by their swimmer. My point is that this provision is fine as a suggestion, but cannot be a requirement. It should be up to the family to decide if they want to send their swimmer back to training.

Chris Bromley

3 years ago

Reply to Eileen Elizabeth

Eileen Elizabeth – absolutely. Most organisations have a duty of care to act in their clients’ best interest and they can only act on what they know. If a client chooses to not divulge any pertinent info and goes ahead with attendance, then the organisation cannot be held liable for any adverse impact. This is the case for individual medical histories. It is the individual’s choice. However if I had a serious heart condition it would be sensible for me to declare it so that the coach and LGs are aware. I for one would rather protect my loved ones and would abide by the advice. I certainly would not accuse the club of discrimination.

Andrew Webber

3 years ago

Reply to Eileen Elizabeth

Eileen Elizabeth rubbish

John Dussliere

3 years ago

Reply to Eileen Elizabeth

Eileen Elizabeth oh bollox.

Mike McHenry

3 years ago

Reply to Eileen Elizabeth

Eileen Elizabeth Im sorry…did I miss “…the RIGHT to train..” in the Bill of Rights?

Kimberly Joy

3 years ago

Reply to Eileen Elizabeth

Eileen Elizabeth Not sure about Britain, but certainly can’t do this in the United States. You cannot provide unequal treatment to people just because someone in their family is sick

Leslie Cichocki

3 years ago

I wish USA Swimming will do the same for elite level athletes. When will they come up with strict guidelines to get elite level athletes back in the water? Super jealous of other countries that made this move already.

Heather York DiFulvio

3 years ago

Reply to Leslie Cichocki

Leslie Cichocki Keep in mind, that may help current “elite swimmers” but severely damages the future elite swimmers if their practice is sacrificed longer for the elite. What’s the definition of elite swimmer, BTW? Swimmers with National times? What about Jr Nats? Is Sectionals high enough? Plus, even if USA Swimming declares XXX, each state has different rules that overrides USA Swimming.

Leslie Cichocki

3 years ago

Reply to Leslie Cichocki

Heather York DiFulvio Like pro series, ISL, Trial qualifiers and national team. Of course junior nationals that’s a national meet to. Yes sectionals to otherwise where else would these kids get their junior NAT and Senior NAT cuts at?

Lynette Besonday-Washburn

3 years ago

Reply to Leslie Cichocki

Leslie Cichocki I’m not an elite swimmer but I swim masters. I want to be training as much as the elite swimmers . If they can swim then so shall the rest of us.

Tricia Schafer

3 years ago

Great thoughts here. In addition to the set-communication issues (whiteboard vs. acetate sheets, etc.), consider making the workout available in advance (even the day before) so swimmers can mentally rehearse the workout ahead of time and be less dependent on written (or hollered) instructions during the workout. The downside, of course, is it removes the element of surprise, though sacrificing that mental component of training would be a small price to pay to get athletes back in the water.

Lorlee Engler

3 years ago

Jill Smith

Rainer A Parada

3 years ago

Should wait till next year!!!

Rainer A Parada

3 years ago

Reply to Rainer A Parada

I was swimming 6x/week . I love swimming. But Gotto be smart

Staci Hollingsworth Roberson

3 years ago

Come on USA!!

Caroline McGuire

3 years ago

Sarah Harries might help with block bookings?!? X

Dan Shupard

3 years ago

Thanks for the ideas!!

Kerry Natalie

3 years ago

Ellisia Baxter

Rocio Galvan

3 years ago

Chris Moralez

Rocio Galvan

3 years ago

Derrick Mauk

Patti Matthew

3 years ago

Andrew

Mike McHenry

3 years ago

Parents / guardians do not attend or observe training or swim sessions (Swimming World asked about this one with an eye on Safe Sport – the provision is not to block observation simply to avoid having parents congregating in what are often tight spaces from which they usually view, spaces un conducive to social distancing in a country that relies almost entirely on indoor facilities)
?????????…good luck with that one…

Keith Robinson

3 years ago

So they circle on the other side of the lane , too ?

Heather Allan

3 years ago

How does this work where older master swimmers and club swimmers train at the same time?

Kimberly Joy

3 years ago

None of this is justified. We need to go back to normal and we need to do it now. Viruses have been around since the beginning of time, this one is no different.

Olivia Gauci

3 years ago

Anna Bella mAybe soon

Anna Bella

3 years ago

Reply to Olivia Gauci

Olivia Gauci fingers crossed

Tracey Nutt

3 years ago

Figures cross

Patrik Ujlaki

3 years ago

Matt Znl vamos