Lihou - Venus Pool Swimming

Reference
Created
Created By
Date Last Reviewed
Last Reviewed By
Next Review Date
063
21/07/2008
17/02/2023
Steve Sarre
16/02/2024
Reference
063
Created
21/07/2008
Created By
Date Last Reviewed
17/02/2023
Last Reviewed By
Steve Sarre
Next Review Date
16/02/2024

IMPORTANT: Any water activity on Lihou Island is to be supervised directly by a qualified and experienced person holding a suitable lifesaving qualification (RLSS ERAS or higher) with additional support from other non water based staff due to the remote nature of the venue.

What is the risk
Who Might be Harmed and How
Level of Risk
Control Measures Implemented
Remaining Risk After Controls
Falls
All participating and supervising persons
Medium
  • Access to and from Venus Pool can be slippery so care needs to be taken and supervision needs to be appropriate to the age and abilities of the group
  • Agreed access route to and from the pool
  • Emergency action safety plan in place
Low
Tidal Currents and Swell
All participating and supervising persons
High
  • Swimming only undertaken in Venus Pool when it is not being flooded by swell or the sea
  • Tide times closely observed
  • Water side observer watching the open sea for swell and rising tide
  • Group to exit pool area in good time prior to the flooding on the rising tide to avoid rushing
  • Throw line immediately accessible to all
Low
Slippery rock
All participating and supervising persons
Medium
  • Appropriate footwear to be worn
  • Establish path in clear view of pool and any supervisors
  • Swimming kit to be carried in a rucksack so participant has free hands
  • Instructions given for the safe passage over such terrain
  • No time constraints so as to discourage rushing
Medium to Low
Hidden underwater rocks
All participating and supervising persons
Medium
  • Jumping permitted only in places of known depth
  • No diving
  • Briefing given as to correct jumping technique
  • No forward or backward flips
  • Pool monitored for new hazards regularlly
  • No jumping for those supervisors unfamiliar with the pool and the depths
Low
Cold water
All participating and supervising persons
Low
  • Warm clothes on the rocks adjacent to the pool
  • Towel close to hand
  • Access to Lihou house for warming and hot drinks etc
  • First aiders aware of the signs of hypothermia and the subsequent treatment
Low
Injury caused by any of the above
All participating and supervising persons
Medium
  • First aider present during activity and in known location/RV point
  • First aid kit situated in the house
  • Eye wash in the house
  • Defibrillator situated in the house
  • Emergency services trained and familiar with the house and island and familiar with both high and low water evacuation should it be required
Low
What is the risk
Falls
Who Might be Harmed and How
All participating and supervising persons
Level of Risk
Medium
Control Measures Implemented
  • Access to and from Venus Pool can be slippery so care needs to be taken and supervision needs to be appropriate to the age and abilities of the group
  • Agreed access route to and from the pool
  • Emergency action safety plan in place
Remaining Risk After Controls
Low
What is the risk
Tidal Currents and Swell
Who Might be Harmed and How
All participating and supervising persons
Level of Risk
High
Control Measures Implemented
  • Swimming only undertaken in Venus Pool when it is not being flooded by swell or the sea
  • Tide times closely observed
  • Water side observer watching the open sea for swell and rising tide
  • Group to exit pool area in good time prior to the flooding on the rising tide to avoid rushing
  • Throw line immediately accessible to all
Remaining Risk After Controls
Low
What is the risk
Slippery rock
Who Might be Harmed and How
All participating and supervising persons
Level of Risk
Medium
Control Measures Implemented
  • Appropriate footwear to be worn
  • Establish path in clear view of pool and any supervisors
  • Swimming kit to be carried in a rucksack so participant has free hands
  • Instructions given for the safe passage over such terrain
  • No time constraints so as to discourage rushing
Remaining Risk After Controls
Medium to Low
What is the risk
Hidden underwater rocks
Who Might be Harmed and How
All participating and supervising persons
Level of Risk
Medium
Control Measures Implemented
  • Jumping permitted only in places of known depth
  • No diving
  • Briefing given as to correct jumping technique
  • No forward or backward flips
  • Pool monitored for new hazards regularlly
  • No jumping for those supervisors unfamiliar with the pool and the depths
Remaining Risk After Controls
Low
What is the risk
Cold water
Who Might be Harmed and How
All participating and supervising persons
Level of Risk
Low
Control Measures Implemented
  • Warm clothes on the rocks adjacent to the pool
  • Towel close to hand
  • Access to Lihou house for warming and hot drinks etc
  • First aiders aware of the signs of hypothermia and the subsequent treatment
Remaining Risk After Controls
Low
What is the risk
Injury caused by any of the above
Who Might be Harmed and How
All participating and supervising persons
Level of Risk
Medium
Control Measures Implemented
  • First aider present during activity and in known location/RV point
  • First aid kit situated in the house
  • Eye wash in the house
  • Defibrillator situated in the house
  • Emergency services trained and familiar with the house and island and familiar with both high and low water evacuation should it be required
Remaining Risk After Controls
Low

The risk assessment is a general risk assessment for Lihou Island. It is not exhaustive and should be used in conjunction with a risk assessment written by the user group, making note of any special needs or issues that are specific to that group.

For further information or to comment, please contact the warden on: email – info@lihouisland.com or call Mobile – 07781 120421