DIVING SA Hot Weather Policy  

Purpose

• To ensure Divers, Coaches, Officials and Members are protected from the hazards of ultraviolet radiation whilst outdoors.
• To ensure that activities undertaken in hot conditions will not result in heat induced illness or injury to any Diver, Coach, Official or Member.
• To ensure that Divers, Coaches, Officials and Members are aware of the methods of personal protection, and the strategies they should use in hot conditions.

Policy

The health and well-being of Divers, Coaches, Officials and Members are priorities at DSA.
Events and activities involving Divers, Coaches, Officials and Members that are conducted or scheduled for times likely to present conditions where the ambient temperature is greater than 34 degrees Celsius, should be postponed, deferred to a cooler period, or cancelled.

STRATEGIES

Hydration

All Divers, Coaches, Officials and Members are encouraged to keep well hydrated.  The more a person perspires the higher the risk of dehydration, which may increase the risk of heat stress. To diminish the risk of heat stress, fluids should be consumed before, during and after activity. The use of shade is also recommended.
For more information see www.smasa.asn.au/fact_sheets/fact_drink_up.html  Smart Play guidelines.

Air Flow

The use of air flow will minimise the risks associated with hot conditions. Air flow should be considered within indoor pool locations, including utilizing existing air conditioning or providing air flow by fans, and opening doors and windows.

Personal Protection

Divers, Coaches, Officials and Members are encouraged to use the following personal protection:

Clothing

Light coloured clothes made of cotton are better than synthetics.  Light coloured loose fitting clothes
will allow air to circulate. Long sleeved clothing and clothing with collars will help protect from sun damage.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen with the highest SPF rating should be used.  Sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes prior to exposure to sun and re-applied as per the manufacturers instructions.

Hats

Hats should be encouraged to be worn in situations where events are conducted outside and exposure to the sun is likely.  Hats will assist in protecting skin from sunburn and aid in reducing the risk of heat stress.  Wide brimmed hats will offer better protection than baseball  style caps.

Timing of Events

Where possible, events and training that are to be conducted in an outside pool, should be scheduled to avoid hot conditions.

Acclimatisation

Divers, Coaches and Officials are encouraged to consider the need for acclimatisation, whenever events are to be held in a location where the temperature is likely to differ materially to that of the environment to which they have become acclimatised.