safety

The following procedures and policies are established so that team members, parents, school, and boathouse members are aware of the safe practices and policies of RHS Crew. All persons involved with the team are expected to follow these practices and rules.

Safety of Team Members:

  • All team members must pass a swim test that involves swimming 50 meters unaided using any stroke. The test date is to be determined by the coach. Make sure you are able to attend the date assigned. Make ups are extremely difficult and will only occur with PRIOR APPROVAL from head coach.Tread water for 5 minutes wearing a full set of sweat clothes. Each individual is required to wear clothing appropriate for early April rowing i.e. long pants with jacket or sweatshirt. You will be entering the water with the clothing on. You are being tested on your ability to stay afloat until a safety launch could get to you if necessary.Demonstrate the ability to put on a life jacket while treading water.

  • All team members must have a current physical on file in the AD office and make their coaches aware of any physical condition that may create an emergency situation, i.e., bee sting allergy, asthma, seizures, etc.

  • All team members are required to dress appropriately for practices and bring water, warm, dry clothing and any medications that they require with them to practice. Inhalers MUST be labeled with the student’s name and cannot be shared.

  • When team members are being transported, either by parents or by other students, they are to be wearing a seatbelt and will behave in a safe manner that will not distract the driver’s attention. Team members shall respect any restrictions that parents have placed on students concerning who and how many persons they may transport. There is no busing to and from practice at the Jupiter boathouse.

Safety on the Water:

  • Coaching launches shall be checked for the following items: life jackets or seat cushions, safety pole or throw rope, anchor, and adequate gas in can (2 gal.).

    After launching and conducting the warm-up sequence, the coxswain is responsible for holding their boat within site of the boathouse where the crew may continue to do stationary drills and wait for the coaching launch. At no time is a crew to be out of sight of their coach’s launch.

  • Coxswains shall check the condition of their boat before launching to ensure safety and prevent injuries or breakdowns.

    Coxswains should carry a small tool set, whistle, and band-aids in order to deal with non-emergency situations that may interfere with practices. Coxswains are also required to wear a watch with a second hand.

    Boats and tracks must be wiped down after each use BEFORE being racked. Any problems with the boat should be noted in the logbook and reported to a coach in writing.

  • Inexperienced crews will row with experienced coxswains and inexperienced coxswains shall row with an experienced stroke for the first week of practice or as long as deemed necessary by the coaches.

  • All team members are to be familiar with any marked water hazards. All team members are to be familiar with the safe areas for emergency docking. These areas are marked on the river map and will also be pointed out during the first week of practice. In case of an emergency, such as a lightning storm, the crew shall proceed to the closest safety area, regardless of which side of the river they are on.

Coaches Responsibility:

  • The coaching staff shall determine the safety of water/weather conditions and notify the schools if practice is to be moved to the high school. A weather radio shall be in use at the boathouse. White caps, strong current, lightning or cold may cause a coach to cancel on the water practices.

  • Coaches shall conduct a safety meeting with all team members and parents and keep a list of emergency phone numbers at the boathouse. Parents shall be notified by the coach of any emergency medical situation.

    Coaches shall carry with them a cell phone or radio that will permit them to reach 911.

  • Coaches shall conduct safety drills on the water the first week of practice that will include emergency stopping, backing down a boat, swamping, and locating safe areas on the river. The coach shall instruct the crew as to how to safely exit a boat in an emergency.

  • Coaches using RHS vans will transport crew team members or others in a safe manner, not exceeding speed limits. Use of a school van is prohibited for any travel other than that directly involved with attending a crew event/practice.