Safety and Welfare Information
Sydney Harbour – investigating an estuary
– a science enrichment program for Stage 4 Students
Schools attending Sydney Harbour will visit the following locations during the event:
 A cruise on Sydney Harbour with Rosman Ferries from Aquarium Wharf to Sydney
Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) Mosman
 A presentation in the SIMS theatrette
 Two fieldwork activities in Clifton Gardens Reserve, Clifton Gardens (to conduct two
fieldwork activities)
 Chowder Bay swimming enclosure, (snorkeling activity)
The following is a summary of the most important safety and welfare information. Please note
that all activities will take place in the presence of qualified DEC staff and other educators
who have approval under the ‘Working with children check policy’.
General Risk Reduction Control Measures for school excursions:
 All students are advised to wear sun protection and conduct themselves in a safe and
caring manner whilst involved in the project.
 Accompanying teachers are to supervise their own students in accordance with DEC
policy.
 Teachers should notify EEC staff of any students with special needs eg disabled
asthmatic etc and come prepared with appropriate medication/supplies prior to the
excursion
 Staff are to have first aid kits on hand and have radio/phone communication at all
times.
 The supervising teacher on excursions must be able to administer first aid (CPR &
Emergency Care)
For any queries regarding safety and welfare information, please contact the organisations
listed below. For any further information about the event in general, please contact the
Observatory Hill EEC on Ph: 9247 7321
Potential Risk
Control strategy
Embarking and disembarking the
vessel using the gangplank.
Crew will be in attendance at all times during boarding,
teachers are asked by our staff to also be in attendance
to ensure orderly boarding.
Unpredictable motion of a floating
vessel
All passengers are asked during the initial safety
briefing to remain seated and use caution if moving
around the vessel.
Uneven and slippery deck
Student should be advised to wear flat soled shoes.
Sunburn
Students should be advised to bring and wear
sunscreen.
Emergency procedure
All staff are trained in emergency procedures. There are
life jackets available for all students.
First aid
There are first aid kits available on all vessels. All staff
are trained in first aid procedures.
Access and disability
There are no disabled toilet facilities. Please contact
Rosman Ferries (ph: 9929 4919) regarding wheelchair
accessibility.
1 Ferry transfer, Aquarium Wharf to Sydney Institute of Marine Science Mosman Rosman Ferries (Ph: 9929 4919)
2 SIMS (Ph: 9969 2664)
Students will observe a presentation in the SIMS Theatrette.
Potential Risk
Accidental trips/falls. Stairs can be
steep at SIMS
Control strategy
Students escorted in groups.
Students told to hold handrails when
negotiating stairs.
Fieldwork Activities in Clifton Gardens Reserve and beach area Students will undertake
two fieldwork activities in Clifton Gardens Reserve
3 Water quality testing (on Chowder Bay wharf). Students will participate in water quality
testing on Chowder Bay Wharf.
Potential Risk
Control strategy
Students falling into water from wharf
Life saving devices on hand.
Students made aware of appropriate behaviour
whilst walking on the wharf.
Students ingesting chemicals
Students instructed on safe use of chemicals
Contamination on skin / eyes
Students to wear gloves and goggles
4 Biotic Study in Clifton Gardens reserve. Students will undertake a study of marine
organisms to identify adaptations to habitats in estuaries and classify live crabs.
Potential Risk
Control strategy
Sunburn
Activities take place under shade or under
shelter sheds
Possible contamination for contact
Students wear gloves and use probes
with sample marine species
5 Snorkelling in Chowder Bay - Students will be given an opportunity to snorkel in Chowder
Bay with qualified diving instructors from Lands Edge. It is recommended that students wear
rash shirts/wet suits if available.
Teachers should always follow DET Sport Guidelines for snorkelling found at:
(http://www.sports.det.nsw.edu.au/spguide/activities/snorkel/snorkel.php)
Snorkelling
Snorkelling
Hazard
Ear drum damage
Drowning
2
1
Hypothermia
2
Drowning/
panic
1
Snorkelling
Getting
scratched
from group
Cramps
Inability to Swim
1
Snorkelling
Exhaustion
Inability to Swim
1
Snorkelling
Students
being hit on
head while in
close contact
(hit by fins)
Head injuries etc
3
Snorkelling
Sea water
Sea water
Incident type
Priority
number
Activity
Control
Follow DET Sport Guidelines
which include min
instructor/student ratios,
maximum currents, wave
height etc.
Teachers assess swimming
ability of all participants in a
pool before participation.
Provide a snorkel-dive course
for all participants.
Keep students within 10 m
of instructor. All instructors
have current CPR and 1st
aid.
Snorkel only in areas
familiar to instructors.
Include discussion of risk
and fear to prevent panic.
Follow a route near rock
platforms so that quick exit
is possible.
Provide dive marker buoy to
identify group is diving in
area.
Assess swell at dive site.
Reassess dive site if swell
becomes too large.
Encourage use of spring
suits or wetsuits or rash
shirts. Limit time submerged
according to water temp,
Instructors observe
constantly for signs. Note
students prone to cold
during the pool-based
course. Have
contingency/supervision
plan for cold divers to exit
early. Ensure hypothermia
kit is part of the 1st aid kit at
the dive site.
Instructors use waterproof
cards with student names
Ensure teacher on shore to
supervise students
 Ensure short dives <30
mins and have teacher
on shore for tired
students
 Know hand signal for
cold
 Ensure students do not
swim too close to each
other
 Buddies dive one at a
time
Sea creatures
Shark attack
3
3
Stings (blue bottle,
sting rays etc
Sun
Sunburn
3
Lightning
Strike
3
Rocks/
oysters
Cuts/scratches on
rocks, oysters
4
 Observe visibility
requirements from Sport
Policy Guidelines.
 Vigilance of instructors
 Observe weather
patterns/predict
occurrence and alter the
dive site location
accordingly, warn
students of danger and
location, provide
exposure suits
 Staff updated on recent
first aid re blue bottle
sting treatment: warm
water carried in thermos
or warm
shower/immersion/
followed by shock
treatment (warm
blankets to control
shivering)
Warn students of danger,
provide sunscreen, and
encourage wearing of hats
when out of water.
Abandon dive, collect
students, and keep group
under direct supervision
Students to wear shoes at all
times when not diving.
Choose and control entry
and exit points
The following DET Sport Guidelines for snorkelling are found at:
http://www.sports.det.nsw.edu.au/spguide/activities/snorkel/snorkel.php
Student Preparation
For snorkel swimming in chest deep water in optimal weather and water conditions and where
students can enter and leave the water easily, students must be able to demonstrate basic
water competence and confidence.
For snorkel swimming and snorkel diving in open water, students must be able to:

swim continuously for 200 metres, any stroke, then

perform survival sculling, floating and treading water for ten minutes without the use of
fins.
Students taking part in snorkel diving must be at least 12 years of age.
Snorkel diving knowledge and skills
Snorkel diving students must demonstrate competency in snorkel swimming and have
preparation in the following:
 an understanding of buoyancy concepts
 knowledge of the dangers of separation from the group, hyperventilation, hypothermia,
pressure/depth relationship of ears, sinuses, mask and lungs, and how to equalise
pressure in ears and mask air space
 practice ditching and replacing a weight belt (if worn) in the water
 clearing a flooded snorkel and mask
 surface diving techniques, including equalising ears when descending
 entry and exit methods
 rescue techniques
 correct finning technique
 hand signals (OK and not OK)
 appropriate safety practices such as the buddy system where one partner dives and one
partner remains on the surface.
For all snorkelling activities pre and post-dive briefings must occur.
Pre-snorkelling briefings should include:
 potential hazards of the venue, including water and weather conditions
 boundaries of the area (snorkel divers must remain within 50 metres of the diving flag)
 proximity to staff and a reminder of the importance of staying with the group
 time limits applying to the dive activity
 checking essential equipment and ensuring it is in working condition and fits correctly
 reviewing essential techniques (clearing mask, equalising, finning, surface diving)
 review of emergency procedures and what to do if in trouble in the water
 safety practices to be used such as the buddy system, hand signals etc.
 reminders re hyperventilation, hypothermia symptoms and how to avoid/relieve a cramp
 safety reminders regarding marine animals, people fishing and boat hazards a check that
students with asthma and potentially needing medication have it with them.
Post dive briefings should include checks for:
 ear discomfort
 signs of hypothermia
 difficulty with breathing
 headaches
An action plan should be developed should the briefing disclose any health or safety concerns.
Safety
Snorkelling activities need to be well planned. Students must be briefed in regard to safety
issues. The teacher-in-charge should carry a card detailing procedures to follow in
emergencies and contact numbers. All party members should know how to put these
procedures into practice.
It is incumbent on the teacher-in-charge to check the weather forecast to determine that
conditions are acceptable for the duration of the activity. The teacher must be prepared to
cancel the activity if the conditions are not suitable.
A roll check is to be made every time students enter and leave the water. Students should be
instructed to leave the venue following the final roll check.
Prior to any course, participants must be provided with an approved Statement of Medical
Fitness form which is to be completed and signed by a parent or caregiver. Illnesses such as
colds and influenza will affect the ability to equalise body air space in snorkel diving.
If in any doubt about a student's fitness for a specific dive, a certificate for diving fitness from
a medical practitioner experienced in diving medicine should be obtained.
Some medical conditions would usually preclude a student from snorkel diving activities.
However, as such conditions vary in severity and recency, it is possible that a student with
one of these conditions may wish to participate in a snorkelling activity, and may do so with a
medical certificate. These conditions may include:

chronic ear infection

perforated ear drum

epilepsy, seizures or blackouts

chronic bronchitis

severe asthma

heart or lung conditions.