Responsibility
It is important to strike a balance between the self-reliance of the individual participant and management interventions.
The greater the competence and risk-awareness of the participant, the greater the scope for the managing organisations not to intervene. Many benefits of water-based activities can be realised by encouraging self-reliance, not dependency on a managing organisation.
Everyone involved in a water-related activity has some responsibility for ensuring their own safety.
Includes participants complying with best practice as set down by sports governing bodies, and ensuring they are not impaired by drink or drugs.
Recognise that statutory bodies and organisations with management responsibilities may have only limited powers to require or enforce.
Avoid as far as possible the use of risk controls which discourage people from participating in the organisation or management of an activity.
Many activities rely on the active support of non-participants, often given voluntarily. Excessive or insensitively applied risk controls can discourage this support and even threaten the continuance of the activity.
Recognise that children’s risk perception skills will not be fully developed.
This must be taken into account in the design of facilities and activities, and by parents/guardians in the supervision of children.
