BSAC has added to its online Safe Return to Diving guidance supporting clubs to return to their pool training sessions, following the lifting of Covid restrictions on the use of indoor and outdoor pools.
With swimming pools in England, Scotland and Wales now allowed to open, club pool nights are slowly starting to resume, working to BSAC’s guidance to ensure pool sessions are safe and Covid secure for all.
But there are still some challenges as Covid continues to disrupt local services and facilities and so BSAC has now adapted the support it provides to help more clubs to get back into their pool water.
As well as the in-depth guidance on returning to swimming pools released earlier this summer, clubs can now download a template letter from BSAC to use when approaching their local pool service provider.
BSAC Chief Executive Mary Tetley said the additional support is aimed at the clubs still waiting to gain access to their usual pool night facilities.
We are hearing reports of swimming pools unable to open due to being emptied at the beginning of lockdown as well as pools unable to re-open due to essential maintenance and repairs.
Many private pools, including in schools which have previously been used by BSAC clubs, are also choosing not to open to the public while some local authority pools have yet to indicate a re-opening date.
We are now offering our voice as the UK National Governing Body to reassure pool partners that our clubs are fully compliant with Covid safety measures and that all the necessary precautions will be taken for a safe return to their pool facilities.
Mary said that individual support and guidance was also available.
We are happy to explore ideas with individual clubs, including guidance on the option of pool sharing with other BSAC branches. If any clubs need specific help or advice on returning to their pool night, then please do get in touch.
BSAC has also been hearing of success stories from clubs who have already used its guidance on returning to swimming pools, including Newbury SAC who was able to return to its pool night at Mary Hare School shortly after the restrictions were lifted to continue with its Ocean Diver training.
Club Chair, Gerard O’Neill said the return to pool training after a three-month absence was a relief for all involved.
All the procedures for safe distancing and sanitizing were easy to adhere to and both instructors and trainees had a very productive evening.
To access the full BSAC guidance on swimming pools and download the new letter template go to BSAC’s online Safe Return to Diving web section. For individual queries on pool access, please contact maryt@bsac.com.
Safe return to diving
BSAC guidance on swimming pools and returning to diving after lockdown can be found on BSAC’s online Safe Return to Diving web section at bsac.com/returntodiving.
