STA Pool Snorkelling Programme Teaching …

1 Pool Snorkelling Programme Teaching manual Produced and published by the STA: STA birch Street Walsall West Midlands WS2 8HZ Phone: 01922-645097 Fax: 01922-720628 Email: Web: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, computerised or otherwise, without prior arrangement with the STA. 2 STA Pool Snorkelling Programme Teaching manual STA Pool Snorkelling Programme Teaching manual STA 2009 Contents Teaching Programme Completion Declaration5 1. The STA Pool Snorkelling 6 Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) & Junior Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (J-PAR-Q)..6 Pool Snorkelling Pool Pool Teacher to Student 2. STA Snorkelling Awards 8 3. 11 Cleaning and Equipment 4. Hand 13 5. Skills and 15 Anti-Fogging of the Correct Fitting of the Mask and Positioning of the Fitting the Clearing a Fogged Mask at the Controlling the Clearing a Snorkel of Correct Finning Equalising the STA Pool Snorkelling Level 1 Award Skills Check 20 STA Pool Snorkelling Level 2 Award Skills Check 21 STA Pool Snorkelling Level 3 Award Skills Check 22 PHYSICAL ACTIVITY READINESS QUESTIONNAIRE (PAR-Q).

2 23 PHYSICAL ACTIVITY READINESS QUESTIONNAIRE (PAR-Q) TUTORS 24 PHYSICAL ACTIVITY READINESS QUESTIONNAIRE (PAR-Q) DOCTOR S LETTER .. 25 JUNIOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY READINESS QUESTIONNAIRE (J-PAR-Q).. 26 JUNIOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY READINESS QUESTIONNAIRE (J-PAR-Q) TUTORS 27 JUNIOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY READINESS QUESTIONNAIRE (J- PAR-Q) DOCTORS LETTER .. 28 STA Pool Snorkelling Programme Teaching manual 3 STA Pool Snorkelling Programme Teaching manual STA 2009 Teaching Programme Completion Declaration STA Pool Snorkelling Teaching Course Unit Programme Details Candidates Name Membership Number Course Venue Course Date Course Tutor (1) Course Tutor (2) Pre-requisite Qualifications Teachers Qualification Please STA Swimming Teacher NaRS T/E Equivalent Please provide details: Date Awarded: Expiry Date: Details of Pool Rescue Award Please NaRS Pool Lifeguard NaRS Pool Attendant NaRS Poolside Helper NaRS Pool Safety Award Equivalent Please provide details: Date Awarded: Expiry Date: STA Pool Snorkelling Teaching Programme Completion Declaration I confirm that the above named teacher has completed the STA Pool Snorkelling Teaching Programme Signed by the Tutor: Signed by the Candidate: Date.

3 4 STA Pool Snorkelling Programme Teaching manual STA Pool Snorkelling Programme Teaching manual STA 2009 This Page Left Blank STA Pool Snorkelling Programme Teaching manual 5 STA Pool Snorkelling Programme Teaching manual STA 2009 Teaching Programme Completion Declaration STA Pool Snorkelling Teaching Course Unit Programme Details Candidates Name Membership Number Course Venue Course Date Course Tutor (1) Course Tutor (2) Pre-requisite Qualifications Teachers Qualification Please STA Swimming Teacher NaRS T/E Equivalent Please provide details: Date Awarded: Expiry Date: Details of Pool Rescue Award Please NaRS Pool Lifeguard NaRS Pool Attendant NaRS Poolside Helper NaRS Pool Safety Award Equivalent Please provide details: Date Awarded: Expiry Date: STA Pool Snorkelling Teaching Programme Completion Declaration I confirm that the above named teacher has completed the STA Pool Snorkelling Teaching Programme Signed by the Tutor: Signed by the Candidate: Date: 6 STA Pool Snorkelling Programme Teaching manual STA Pool Snorkelling Programme Teaching manual STA 2009 1.

4 The STA Pool Snorkelling ProgrammeAcknowledgements The STA wishes to thank the following individuals for their help in the production of this Programme : Martin Candler Mike Jenkins Tara Lewis John Ollman, for the kind use of the facilities at Risca Leisure Centre, Caerphilly Introduction The STA Pool Snorkelling Programme is a series of 3 progressive awards (levels 1, 2 and 3), which are designed to introduce anyone from the age of 8 to the skills and techniques required for safe and enjoyable Snorkelling in a pool environment. The STA recommends that if students wish to progress to Snorkelling in open water, they must receive appropriate training and qualifications, from a scuba diving association such as the Professional Association of Diving Instructors ( ) or the British Sub Aqua Club ( ). Prerequisites All participants must be a minimum of 8 years of age and competent swimmers. Competent Swimmers are defined as: Levels 1 and 2 swimmers who are able to: 1.

5 Swim unaided for at least 50m. 2. Enter deep water by jumping/striding and recover to a swimming/tread water position. 3. Swim without swimming goggles. 4. Tread water/float for a minimum period of 30 seconds. ( Swimmers holding Shark 1 or equivalent) Level 3 in addition to the skills above swimmers who are able to: 1. Swim unaided for at least 100m. 2. Tread water/float for a minimum period of 1 minute. ( Swimmers holding Shark 3 or equivalent) Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) & Junior Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (J-PAR-Q) All students must complete, and have reviewed, the standard STA PAR-Q form before commencing the course (page 23). If students are under 16 years of age, they must have their parent/legal guardian complete the STA Junior PAR-Q (page 26) and have their parent/legal guardian sign it. If a student answers YES to any of the questions please refer to the Tutors guidelines for the appropriate action(s) to take.

6 (PAR-Q page 24 or J-PAR-Q page 27). If a student needs to be referred to their Doctor please supply them with a Doctors Letter (PAR-Q page 25 or J-PAR-Q page 28). These documents must be kept securely, by the Tutor, for a minimum of 5 years. Pool Snorkelling Sessions Level 1 Award This is an introduction to Snorkelling , equipment, and its use. A minimum of 1 hour contact time is recommended before students are eligible to undertake the level 1 award and progress to level 2. At this level the fitting and adjustment of the equipment will be performed with assistance from the Teacher. A variety of different Snorkelling games (depending on student ability) are recommended to develop confidence and add an element of fun to the sessions. Some suggested games are relay races, swimming through weighted plastic hoops (set at different levels in the pool), searching for plastic weighted objects, in-water tug of war, etc.

7 Level 2 Award This level reinforces the skills taught in the previous award, developing and introducing new skills. A minimum of 5 hours contact time is recommended before students are eligible to undertake the level 2 award and progress to level 3. Level 3 Award This advanced level reinforces the skills taught in the previous awards, developing skills and introducing Snorkelling with a Buddy . A minimum of 5 hours contact time is recommended before students are eligible to undertake the level 3 award. STA Pool Snorkelling Programme Teaching manual 7 STA Pool Snorkelling Programme Teaching manual STA 2009 Awards Students who successfully demonstrate competence in all the assessment criteria and achieve the prescribed learning outcomes will be eligible for the appropriate Pool Snorkelling Award (levels 1-3). These are available for purchase in advance from the STA. Note: Skills check sheets on pages 20 to 22 can be photocopied (and laminated) as an aid memoir for poolside.

8 Pool Supervision The teacher is responsible for the safety of the students and should be satisfied that there is adequate and competent lifesaving cover available; this could be the teacher provided that he/she is properly trained and has assessed the risks. If the teacher is in the water with the students STA recommend separate lifesaving cover on poolside. Safety Teachers are responsible for the safety and welfare of those in their care and must ensure that all steps are taken to prevent injury. It is important to ensure equipment that student s bring with them is safe and suitable for pool use. All participants (and their parent/guardian if under 16), must be warned of the risks associated with increased pressure on the ear drums when surface diving to depths greater than metres. All participants must be taught how to equalise their ears before submersions below this depth are allowed. Students suffering from any infections/illnesses that block the sinuses must not participate in submersion activities Pool Clothing If you are in the water demonstrating skills, then you must wear appropriate clothing.

9 Due to the skills required to be taught on this course, a t-shirt is not suitable to wear in the water. A suitable alternative is an item such as a rash vest. Teacher to Student Ratio A maximum ratio of one qualified STA Pool Snorkelling Programme Teacher to 16 students is recommended. 8 STA Pool Snorkelling Programme Teaching manual STA Pool Snorkelling Programme Teaching manual STA 2009 2. STA Snorkelling Awards Criteria Pool Snorkelling Level 1 Award Teaching Objectives Learning Outcomes Assessment Standards 1. Prepare and fit the equipment correctly (with teacher assistance). Anti-Fog the mask prior to fitting it. Correctly fitting of the mask and positioning of mask strap, with assistance from the Teacher. Fitting fins with assistance from the Teacher. 2. Perform a safe entry into shallow water. Slide in entry or walking (if appropriate for environment). 3. Clear water from the snorkel by using the blast method and resume breathing through the snorkel without lifting the face from the water.

10 Water must be cleared from the snorkel with one blast; the snorkel must remain in place to continue breathing in the prone position. 4. Fin 25 metres. Alternate up and down relaxed leg action with slight knee bend. 5. Understand 4 hand signals. Correctly interpret and respond to 4 different hand signals. 6. Perform a surface dive and return to the surface clearing the snorkel on the surface using the blast method. Completely submerge on the surface dive; water must be cleared from the snorkel with one blast on surfacing. 7. Exit the water safely and remove all Snorkelling equipment independently. Climbing out from shallow water or walking backwards from a beach area. Introduce: Pool rules and regulations. Hygiene. Water safety. Preparation and fitting of equipment. Correct and safe entries and exits. Breathing techniques. Swimming techniques. Communication. Playing games. 8. Participate in a Snorkelling game. Suggested activities - relay races, swimming through plastic hoops (weighted to rise, just touching the surface and on the pool floor), finding plastic weighted objects, in-water tug of war or similar.