Event Safety Management Plan
Lough Sheelin Swim Challenge
Sunday, 30th May 2010.
Contents
1Summary
2Event Management
3Event Site Operations
4Risk Assessment
Appendices
APlan of the Course
BContacts
CSwimmers
D Briefings
1.SUMMARY
The Event
The Lough Sheelin Swim Challenge is a race concept as well as an opportunity for accomplished swimmers to challenge themselves over longer distances. It gathers together some of the most accomplished group of open water distance swimmers in Irelandand from abroad and is insured by Swim Ireland.
The course for the swim is as per attached plan. (Appendix A).
Participants
The event is invitation only – based on proven open water distance accomplishments or by recommendation of respected coach’s or swimmers. Swimmers are welcome to compete in wetsuits or togs provided they comply with FINA regulations.
With a few exceptions, entries will close in the middle of May, we have set the limit at 10 for the 15k swim, 20 for the 10k, 15 for the 5k swim and 20 for the 1k (mostly local and younger swimmers).
The emphasis is on completion not time. Any swimmer failing to complete the course in the maximum time set for each swim will be removed from the water. Also any swimmer deemed to be in distress will be removed from the water.
Route and Time
Start for the 15k swim is at Clover House harbour and swim west (left) side of lake to Finea and then down the east shore ending back at Cover House (start is marked wrong on map).
Starting time 9:30am for the 15k swim and maximum time is 6.5 hours.
Start for the 10k Irish National Championship swim is at Clover House harbour.
Starting time 11.30am for the 10k swim and a maximum time of 4.5 hours
Start for the 5k swim is at Clover House harbour.
Starting time 12.30pm for the 5k swim and a maximum time of 2.5 hours
Start for the 1k swim is at Clover House harbour and swim straight out 500m to buoy and then back to Cover House .
Starting time 2:00pm for the1k swim and maximum time is 1 hour
The expectations of the swimmers have been set to expect water temperatures as low as 10̊C. Water temperature is expected to be closer to 14°Cand feed will be provided during the swims.
The course will be marked by buoys and the safety boats will ensure no swimmers veer off course.
Two-way radio contact shall be maintained between the designated safety (life/observation) boats and shore. These boats will carry a minimum of 2 adults.
2.EVENT MANAGEMENT
Event Organisers/Promoters
The swim committee consists of the following individuals:
Dan Smyth & Martin Cullen: Event Directorsand co-ordination with agencies below:
The Fisheries Board
The Civil Defence
An Gárda Síochána
Crover House Hotel
Declan O’Reilly & Eddie Quinn: Overall Safety Coordinators who will approve the plan and make the decision to run the event on the day (or not). In certain conditions, the event may be run over a shorter course. Sharon & Declanwill also lead a debriefing session and propose recommendations for future events.
Brenda Montgomery, Sharon Patterson, Kay Smyth, Philomena Lynch Lucy Cullen: Committee members, recruitment of swimmers and safety boats/kayakers and their crew.
Briefings
Briefing emails for swimmers have been sent out regularly during the three months leading up to the event. Martin will also brief the swimmers on the day.
Safety boat crews, kayakers and others will be briefed by Sharon on the day of the event. Copies of each briefing are contained at Appendix C.
3.Event Site Operation
Safety Policy Statement
The committee has endeavoured to identify each and all risk(s) / hazard(s) associated with the running of the event and will take appropriate steps to minimise or eliminate any such risk that is identified.
Participant Safety
The event does not fall within specific guidelines of the Leinster May 2007 operating conditions for open water swimming races. The swimmers will always be less than 500m from shore. The swims that are in excess of 5k - which would call for a kayaker per swimmer – on the assumption that such a swim is a point to point – which this is not.
Therefore a hybrid model will be used:
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(a)Three safety boats with a minimum of 2 adults will patrol the course for the duration of the event. They will normally be less than 500m apart . This is either side of the time of maximum risk (12noon) with all swimmers still expected in the water and any early cases of cold or exhaustion most likely to appear. After 2pm, the number of swimmers expected still to be in the water is less than 15 – hence a 1:3 (swimmer:boat) ratio – and the two extra life boats will disengage.
(b)Each boat shall carry VHF marine band radio and carry distress flares.
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Swimmerswho fail to beat a maximum time, seek assistance from a safety boat or who are removed from the water by a boat shall not re-enter the swim. Swimmers removed from the water shall either be kept warm in a safety boat or in the case of immediate danger returned to Crover.
Spectators Safety
Spectators have very good viewing opportunities. There is good visibility fromCrover House over most of the lake. It is anticipated that the risk to spectators will be low and therefore the committee will not monitor these individuals and hence they will not be discussed below.
The safety boats will warn off any possible visiting boats – which is a distinct possibility as it is a very popular trout lake .
4.Risk Assessment
This risk assessment is based on hazards to participants during the many years of swimming at Sandycove:
Scale of values as follows: Low/Medium/High
Location / Hazard / Risk / Persons at Risk / Control Measures / Responsibilityof
Start Area / Slips/trips or falls / Low / Swimmers, Boat Crews, Other Event Officials / Short period between briefing and start / Safety Coordinator
Start Area and Course / Non-registered individual attempts to join the swimmers / Low / Swimmer / Ask them not to swim because the event participants have been registered with the authorities.Contact the Civil Defence to warm them of the danger and ask them to come and rescue the individual attempting a dangerous swim
Start Area and Course / Individual swimmer turns up late and attempts to set out after the start / Low / Swimmer, Kayaker / Ask them not to swim because the event participants have been registered with the authorities. Contact the Safety Coordinator (to warn) and the Civil Defence to warm them of the danger and ask them to come and rescue the individual attempting a dangerous swim
Course and Finish / Cold/
Hypothermia / Med / Swimmers / Safety Boats & Kayakers – plus special attention to this subject during briefing and warm clothes/hot drinks on the Safety Boats / Safety Coordinator
Course / Other Medical Emergency/
Injury / Low / Swimmers / Safety Boats, Kayakers & Other Swimmers / Safety Coordinator
Course / WaterFlow / Low / Swimmers / Safety Boats & Kayakers
The swimmers are used to distance swimming and should easily cope with the flow. / Safety Coordinator
Course / Buoy, anchors, moored boots & ropes / Low / Swimmers / Briefing
There are very few – the biggest will be the feed boat which all will watch for! / Safety Coordinator
Course / Rocks / Med / Swimmers / Swimmer’s briefing
The risk of scrapes from a swimmer hitting submerged rocks itself will be discussed at the briefings. / Safety Coordinator
Finish Area (Beach) / Slips/trips or falls / Med / Swimmers, Boat Crews, Other Event Officials / Briefing and two volunteers on duty to help all swimmers out. / Safety Coordinator
Appendix A - 2008 Race Course Plan
15k Swim marked in Yellow
Other courses will be confirmed shortly but will be probably of 2.5k in length marked in .5k segments
Appendix B - Contacts
NameContact Telephones
Committee:
Daniel Smith086 6025703
Sharon Patterson087 2121501
Martin Cullen086 2257008
Declan O’Reilly086 8146724
Eddie Quinn086 8581654
Other Local Agencies:
Appendix C - Briefings
This will be the base material for the email and oral briefings.
1.0Boats / Kayaks
1.1Steer Swimmers on Course (all swimmers to right of safety boat line)
1.2Swimmer in Difficulty – Tired or Cold – how to spot hypothermia
1.3Allow swimmer to be supported by boat/kayak – Boat crew (only) be prepared to enter water to assist if required. Kayakers are not expected or encouraged to enter the water. Swimmer (who takes a rest) is allowed to continue with agreement of the Kayaker or Boat Crew.
1.4Attract attention of a powered boat. Safety boats will have radio contact with the shore and Coastguard Services.
1.5Take swimmer aboard boat and keep warm
1.6Transfer to cabined boat, continue to keep warm.
1.7Swimmer in Difficulty – Medical Emergency / Emergency Assistance
1.8Remove swimmer from water immediately. One powered boat is sufficient to perform a rescue.
1.9Administer First Aid and Keep Warm
1.10Transfer to EXIT POINT (Start or Finish) as quickly as possible bearing in mind other swimmers on course.
1.11Transfer to Ambulance
2.0Swimmers
2.1ENTRY POINT is at the Slipway at Crover House. Please register at least 60 minutes prior to the start.
2.2Races will start at 9.30am, 11.30am, 12.30am and 2.00pm under the direction of the safety coordinator.
2.3Boats and canoes will guide / direct swimmers on course. A swimmer unable to stay on course will be assisted three times then removed from the water.
2.4The finish is at Crover House.
2.5If you become tired or cold, hold on to the kayak or boat, if necessary, get into a boat.
2.6If you require EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE attract the attention of a Kayak or Boat and let them handle it. It is MANDATORY to assist other swimmers who may be in distress. Educate all swimmers on the signs of hypothermia and types of questions being asked by Kayakers/Boat Crews
2.7Ensure that you are recorded exiting from the water – ask for your time.
2.9The time limit in the water is 6.5 hours. Swimmers who have not completed the course at this point will be removed from the water.
3.0First Aid
3.1First Aid and Ambulance Services will be available throughout the swim.
4.0Weather Conditions
4.1The Safety Coordinator must heed the event of small craft advisory, fog or mist forming or such forecast. The crossing will not take place if a small craft advisory is in effect - if there is any doubt the race will be postponed or cancelled.
4.2An alternativecourse may be permitted under certain circumstances.
5.0Rules
5.1FINA and The Leinsteropen water safety rulesshall be enforced.
15k Swimmers
10k Swimmers
5kSwimmers
1k Swimmers
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