1. In teaching gymnastics, appropriate mats and/or polypads should be used as a landing area. The surface must be evenly spread and the mats should be closely linked.
Trampolining
2. Equipment should be properly placed to ensure adequate safe distance so that students engaged in activities do not collide with doors, windows, walls, obstacles or other students. The approach and landing areas should be kept clear.
3. Teachers should make sure that all equipment are properly installed and positioned and must be adjusted to meet the needs of individual students.
4. All equipment must be properly stored after lessons and a warning notice should be displayed on a preeminent spot to remind students not to fiddle with the equipment.
5. In teaching trampolining, there should be a minimum of 2m clearance around the trampoline, and a minimum of 5m clearance between the floor and the ceiling or any hanging objects. Sufficient polypads should be placed at the four sides of the trampoline.
33
Chapter NINE
PHYSICAL FITNESS TRAINING
(You are advised to study Chapter One thoroughly before reading this chapter)
I. Teaching Considerations
1. Before the activity, teachers should be aware of the health conditions of students to see whether they are suitable to participate in the physical fitness training.
2. Students should be reminded to stop physical fitness activities if they feel unwell and report to the teacher in charge immediately.
3. Types of training tasks and workload should be progressive and properly adjusted to suit students’ individual physique and physical fitness levels.
4. The importance of natural breathing instead of “holding breath” should be emphasised when practising weight training and isometric training.
5. Duration of isometric training should not be too long.
6. It is advisable for training to be conducted in pairs or groups.
Spotters may be made available when necessary and students are encouraged to help and look after each other.
7. About using physical fitness training equipment:
7.1 Schools should make rules of use. No one is allowed to touch or use any physical fitness training equipment without permission;
7.2 Schools should check carefully all equipment before physical fitness training exercise and make sure that the weight is balance and collars are secure;
7.3 Schools must never allow students to use any physical fitness training equipment without the supervision of Physical Education(PE) teachers or personnel with proper training;
7.4 The equipment users should be reminded to wear proper sports clothing and shoes;
Health Conditions
7.5 Schools must take into consideration student’s age, physique, ability and health conditions in designing weight training programmes;
7.6 Schools should remind students to lower the weights with control on finishing any weight training;
7.7 Schools should conduct standing weight lifting on hard floor; and
7.8 Schools should place a polypad under the bar for safe landing during chinning exercises.
II. Environment and Facilities
1. During physical fitness training, adequate space should be provided.
2. Training area should be well ventilated and various types of equipment should be checked regularly.
3. Various types of equipment should be properly stored.
4. About installing physical fitness training equipment:
4.1 Schools must select suitable locations for equipment and seek advice from the professionals concerned and the suppliers.
4.2 Schools should select the physical fitness training equipment that is suitable for the school before making purchase and consideration should be given to the intensity of use, loading capacity and training functions of individual equipment and students’ abilities.
4.3 Schools must use the right methods in setting up the equipment and making sure that they are secure.
4.4 Schools should leave adequate space for movement between pieces of equipment and consider providing shock-absorption and anti-slippery devices, etc.
4.5 Schools should display instruction of the correct methods using the physical fitness training equipment and points to note on the equipment or in a conspicuous place; and
4.6 Schools should regularly check the equipment and conduct repairs and maintenance on the equipment
35
manuals of the equipment and relevant information should be properly kept).
5. A first aid box should be available at the training venue as well as other suitable places. The items in the box should be checked regularly Note 13.
Note 13 Please read Appendix I Note 17 on the “List of First Aid Items Recommended for Schools”.
Chapter TEN
SPORT CLIMBING
(You are advised to study Chapter One thoroughly before reading this chapter.)
I. Teacher Qualifications
This chapter refers to the sport climbing activities conducted on artificial climbing walls only. Persons possess the following qualification(s) can conduct the teaching of sport climbing:
1. A qualified sport climbing supervisor: he/she can conduct teaching activities on a designated climbing wall.
2. A person possessing an “Elementary/Level One Coach”
certificate or above: he/she is qualified to conduct teaching activities on different climbing walls.
II. Teaching Considerations
1. To conduct activities on a climbing wall of the school :
1.1 Participants must be under the on-site supervision of a coach or a supervisor;
1.2 Participants must possess a “Level Two Training Certificate” or above and be assisted by a buddy for practice on their own;
1.3 Participants intend to climb a height of 3m or above (measured from ground to finger reach height), they must be equipped with protective device (e.g. a belay system);
1.4 The coach or supervisor -participant ratio must conform to the requirements of the relevant sports governing body; and 1.5 Participants should not wear ornaments or watches and must
tie up long hair before the activity.
2. To conduct activities on artificial climbing walls outside school:
37
2.1 The coach or supervisor -learner ratio must conform to the requirements of the relevant sports governing body depending on the nature of the activity; and
2.2 The participants should observe the safety guidelines of the venue.
III. Environment and Facilities
1. It is advisable for schools to have safety inspection of the climbing wall by the relevant professional bodies.
2. The officer in charge of the venue should conduct regular and pre-activity safety checks on a climbing wall (especially the anchor system) and all equipment to ensure the safety of the participants.
3. All climbing equipment used must conform to the international standards, e.g. meeting the standards of the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA).
4. Under the climbing wall, adequate safety devices, such as polypads, should be placed.
5. Under a climbing wall with a height of 3m and above (measured from ground to finger reach height) and its boundary within 3m should be free of any obstruction to make sure that the belayer has adequate space for movement.
6. A warning notice and safety rules and regulations should be displayed on a conspicuous place near the climbing wall for the information of the participants.
Chapter ELEVEN
SWIMMING: LESSONS AND TRAINING
(You are advised to study Chapter One thoroughly before reading this chapter)
I. Teacher Qualifications
1. Physical Education (PE) teachers who have obtained a lifesaving qualification (Bronze Medallion or above) can conduct swimming lessons.
2. Schools may hire teaching assistants to help conducting swimming lessons/activities if necessary. Teaching assistants must possess a valid lifesaving certificate (Bronze Medallion or above).
II. Teaching Considerations
1. A swimming lesson or training session, a maximum of 45 students should be taught or trained by one PE teacher.
2. The number of students should be checked from time to time, especially at the start and by the end of each lesson/session.
3. Students must wear swimming caps or wrist bands for easy identification.
4. The PE teacher should always be in a position where he/she can see the whole class.
5. PE teachers should not enter the water except in emergency or for demonstration. Students should leave the water when the teacher is demonstrating in the pool.
6. Students should be taught the knowledge of water safety and swimming pool rules, including not to run along the pool side or to engage in any form of rough play in or out of the pool.
7. The “buddy system”, ability grouping, etc should be adopted in swimming lessons/activities. Students must be taught to report to the teacher immediately in case of accident.
Teacher-Student Ratio
Swimming Gear Water Safety Teacher
Teaching Assistant
39
8. Students with wounds or suffering from communicable diseases, such as skin diseases, red eye syndrome, hand-foot and mouth diseases, etc should refrain from participating in swimming activities.
9. The teacher must ensure that no students enter the pool without his/her permission. The teacher must also ensure that all students have left the pool after a lesson. He/She should dismiss the class outside the boundary of the pool.
10. When using a pool of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department during a session break, the school should appoint a person possessing a valid lifesaving Bronze Medallion or above to help look after students.
11. In cold weather, students should have adequate warm up exercise and should not stay in the water for too long.
12. On days of relatively high ultra-violet (UV) Index or when necessary, students may apply sunscreen lotion with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 15 or above before a swimming lesson.
13. When a thunderstorm warning is issued during a swimming activity, the outdoor swimming activity must be suspended immediately. Students should leave water without delay and go to a safe and sheltered place. If the isolated thunderstorm warning is issued, please refer to Chapter 1 Note 8 for the proper arrangement.
14. In case of drowning, lifesaving and first aid should be performed and an ambulance should be called immediately. The school authority, duty-staff of the pool and parents should be informed.
15. Swimming pools operated by schools must be licensed with safety standards met. When the pool is not in use, the school must ensure that no one could enter without permission.
16. Schools having their own swimming pools should regularly conduct water safety drills.
III. Environment and Facilities
1. Beginners should not practise swimming in a pool with a depth above their breast level or above 1.2m.
Weather
Handling Accident
School Swimming Pool
2. For a surface dive or backstroke start, the depth of water must be 1.35m or above ; for other dives it must be 3m or above.
3. Students should be reminded to make sure that the entry area is clear before making a dive and other students must not swim near that area.
41
Chapter TWELVE SWIMMING GALA
(You are advised to study Chapter One thoroughly before reading this chapter.)
I. Teacher Qualifications
The person in charge of or assisting in the organisation of Swimming Gala must have received the necessary training and possess relevant experience and knowledge.
II. General Measures
1. In organising a Swimming Gala, schools should make proper arrangements for the following:
1.1 Helpers must be briefed on the rules, potential risks, safety measures, the coordination between helpers, discipline and control of students, etc;
1.2 Competitors (including students, parents/guardians, staff, alumni, etc) must be reminded that they should have undergone proper training or practice before competitions;
and
1.3 Contingency measures for adverse weather conditions should be drawn up and made known to all relevant parties concerned.
2. The written consent of the parents of participating students must be obtained before the Swimming Gala.
3. Schools should invite qualified first aid team (such as the Hong Kong St. John Ambulance, the Hong Kong Auxiliary Medical Services, etc) to take up duty at the venue and provide first aid services as far as possible. If this cannot be arranged, the school should appoint persons possessing a valid first aid certificate to perform such duties.
Administrative Procedure
4. The routes of entering and leaving the venue and the procedures and routes of evacuation in an emergency must be planned in advance and made known to all relevant parties concerned.
5. If a swimming pool is hired from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) for holding a Swimming Gala, the programme of events must be sent to the relevant LCSD District Leisure Manager at least 3 weeks prior to the Swimming Gala.
6. The school should liaise with the officer-in-charge of the swimming pool concerned or the duty-officer on the day of the Swimming Gala at least three working days prior to the Swimming Gala to guarantee that various measures can ensure the safety of students. The school must note the following:
6.1 The arrangements agreed and the points discussed between the school and staff of the pool are recorded; and
6.2 A layout plan of the swimming pool concerned, indicating clearly and correctly the locations of life guard posts, lifesaving equipment, emergency exits, the first aid room and the parking space for emergency vehicles, etc
7. Lifeguards are on duty when the pool is on hire.
8. Helpers must be properly trained before the Swimming Gala.
9. Before the Swimming Gala, the school should make sure that all the staff and students are aware of the following:
9.1 The potential risks of activities and the safety measures;
9.2 The need to maintain good discipline and observe rules;
9.3 The responsibility of each individual in the prevention of accidents;
9.4 Contingency measures in adverse weather conditions;
9.5 The routes of entering and leaving the boundary of the swimming pool and the procedures and routes of evacuation in an emergency;
9.6 The locations of facilities such as the location of assembly points, the exits, the first aid room, etc; and
43
9.7 The need to report to the teachers in charge or the crisis management team in case of accidents or unexpected incidents.
10. In drawing up the programme, the school should make sure that:
10.1 The events have been taught either in Physical Education (PE) lessons or co-curricular activities, and opportunities for practice have been provided for the participating students;
10.2 Consideration must be given to the abilities of students when drawing up the programme and distance of races;
10.3 Students must not be allowed to participate in more than three individual events and three relays on any one day of the Swimming Gala;
10.4 The short distance races such as 25m events and novice competitions should be held in a training pool or across the shallow width of the main pool not exceeding 1.5m deep.
Races must not start or finish in the middle of the main pool and races involving the use of objects providing buoyancy to students who cannot swim should not be organised; and 10.5 Only proper swimming or life saving events should be held
in the Swimming Gala; water games such as “duck catching”, object searching on or under the water and kick board competitions should not be held.
11. In the following circumstances, the Swimming Gala should be cancelled or postponed:
11.1 The Education Bureau announces suspension of classes;
11.2 The Hong Kong Observatory issues the Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal;
11.3 The Hong Kong Observatory issues the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Number 3 or above;
11.4 The AQHI or its forecast reaches 10+ Note 14 at the activity zone;
11.5 Serious flooding in the district at which the school or the venue is located; and
Note 14 Please refer to item 6, Part IV of Chapter One for information on AQHI.
Programme Planning
Cancel or Postpone
11.6 The Hong Kong Observatory issues the Thunderstorm Warning Note 15; (not applicable to indoor swimming pools).
12. The teacher-in-charge should check with the officer-in-charge of the pool on the day of the Swimming Gala relevant points discussed and agreed as mentioned in paragraph 6.1 under General Measures of this chapter and check whether all have been properly arranged.
13. Helpers should wear uniforms or other signs while the participating students should wear caps for identification.
14. All people entering the boundary of the pool must observe the relevant rules.
15. During warm-up session, only the participating students are allowed to use the pool and good discipline should be maintained.
16. During the time when a pool is hired for holding a Swimming Gala, the school should make sure that no student will use any pools and facilities that have not been hired.
17. Students or other people not taking part in any events must not be allowed to enter the water except helpers, judges and students waiting for an event they have entered.
18. Helpers must be assigned inspection duties to make sure that all participants taking part in any event should leave the pool on completion of each event.
19. During lunch time, the school should ensure that no person is allowed to enter the water without permission.
Note15 Please refer to Chapter One Note 8 for information and arrangements on Thunderstorm.
Conduct of the Gala
45
Chapter THIRTEEN
TUG-OF-WAR
(You are advised to study Chapter One thoroughly before reading this chapter)
I. Teacher Qualifications
The person in charge of or assisting in the organisation of tug-of-war must possess relevant qualifications and experience.
II. General Measures
1. Students who are not in good health or suffer from cardiovascular diseases or habitual dislocation must not participate in this event.
2. Students who are under the age of 15 should not take part in this activity.
3. There should not be more than 8 persons on each side.
4. Participants should wear long-sleeved clothes, suitable shoes, knee pads, etc.
5. Rules should be set including time limit to prevent sustained pulling of both sides.
6. Before the activity, students are advised to warm up and perform stretching exercises specific to the activity.
7. During the activity, students of the same team have to rhythmically exert strength and breathe instead of holding breath for a long time.
8. During the activity, students must not release or shake the rope on purpose.
9. When the judge announces the end of the event, members on each side should let go the rope slowly.
III. Environment and Facilities
1. It is not advisable to conduct this activity in humid weather and under relatively high temperatures.
2. This activity should be held in an area with adequate safe space and a buffer area for deceleration.
3. Rugged, extremely coarse or slippery surface is not suitable for conducting this activity.
47
Chapter FOURTEEN
WUSHU/CHINESE MARTIAL ART
(You are advised to study Chapter One thoroughly before reading this chapter.)
I. Teacher Qualifications
1. Schools should appoint teachers or instructors who possess Wushu/Chinese Martial Arts training and experience, and a sound knowledge of safety measures to teach basic Chinese boxing routines (Taolu); and
2. Schools should only appoint teachers or instructors who possess
“Level One Coach” certificate awarded by the relevant sports governing bodies, or equivalent to teach activities involving the use of equipment (such as cudgel, sword and equipment for dragon and lion dances).
II. Teaching Considerations
1. No activities involve the uses of equipment should be taught during PE lessons.
2. Students should be taught martial arts ethics first. Fighting and acts of flaunting physical capabilities must be forbidden.
3. Beginners are not suitable to learn the ways of using equipment until they are familiar with boxing routines.
4. The body size, physical capabilities and diversity in skills levels of students should be taken into consideration when carrying out Wushu/Chinese Martial Arts activities to avoid injury.
5. Students should be taught the proper ways of using equipment.
Damaged or insecure equipment must not be used.
6. The equipment for use should meet the standards of the relevant sports governing bodies and they must be suitable for the body size and physical capacities of students.
III. Environment and Facilities
1. Schools should conduct Wushu/Chinese Martial Art activities in a safe environment with adequate space.
2. All equipment must be properly stored and no students are permitted to use without the consent of responsible teachers or instructors.
3. Safety check must be regularly conducted for all kinds of equipment and facilities.
4. When teaching movements involving flights, suitable mats or safety pads should be used for landing.
49
Appendix I
RECOMMENDED LIST OF FIRST AID ITEMS FOR SCHOOLS Note 16 1. Sterilised normal saline or distilled water (for cleaning wounds) 2. Alcohol (for cleaning first aid equipment)
3. Disposable plastic gloves (to avoid direct contact with wounds or blood)
4. Surgical masks
5. Sterile dressings/dressing packs/gauze (individually packed) 6. Elastic tensor bandages ( of different widths )
7. Triangular bandages
8. Cotton sticks and cotton wool
9. Adhesive plasters (of different sizes) 10. Scissors
11. Forceps
12. Spray bottles or eye cups for washing eyes 13. Cold pack Note 17
14. Electronic thermometer
15. CPR face shield (disposable) or CPR pocket masks
16. Emergency helpline (such as contact phone number of the nearby ambulance station)
*Additional items recommended:
Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) (schools are encouraged to install an AED to provide extra protection to their students, staff, etc.)
Note: The person(s) in charge of the First Aid boxes should ensure that
The first aid box content list is included;
Note 16 To note the purchase or expiry dates of various first aid items and to make supplements or replacements.
Note 17 Some cold packs must be stored in the freezer of a refrigerator; for safety guidelines on the use of cold packs, please visit the Health Department website:
http://www.mdco.gov.hk/english/emp/emp_gp/emp_gp_hcgp.html