WaterSafe: The Rainbow System of supervision

The aim of the Rainbow System is the safe supervision of students during water-based group activities and periods of free swim time. It is a supervision system which colour codes students into small groups according to their swimming ability and assigns them to a specific adult supervisor. The supervisor watches only his/her assigned students and may wear a colour coded t-shirt or other item of colour coded clothing and be in charge of a group of 2-6 students who are all wearing colour coded swimming caps. The Rainbow System video is a synopsis of the WaterSafe Policy and the WaterSafe Guidelines (see rec #s 5655 & 8018) and highlights visually the WaterSafe Guidelines material being put into practice. The video is a tool for principals, teaching staff, board of trustees and adult helpers who are preparing for and assisting with aquatic activities at camp or similar EOTC venue. It can also be used as a guide for students when taking part in aquatic activities and the expectation that they take some responsibility for themselves and their buddy. The policy, guidelines and video have been produced in the hope that they will make a difference to the supervision, decision-making and safety of primary/intermediate school children taking part in aquatic activities.