NWSF Coasteering Guidance
- AALS Inspector Guidance Note
- IGN 6.20
- Review Date:
- 01/2014
- Version Number:
- 1
- Date:
- 27/01/2010
Issue:Â Coasteering is a popular and developing activity that involves traversing along the intertidal zone, using a combination of scrambling, walking, swimming and jumping to complete the journey. The National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) has coordinated the development of practical good practice guidance for providers and training competencies for coasteering leaders.
Tombstoning generally refers only to jumping into water from a height, usually informally.
Background
- In 2007, members of the NWSF started a project to consider the risks arising from the activities of Coasteering and Tombstoning.
- There was increasing concern from the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) and other safety organisations regarding the number of emergency call outs and the potential for serious harm involving both activities, compounded by the perception that these were increasing trends. The NWSF were keen to ensure that there should be an appropriate and balanced response and so involved many key players. These included participants, commercial providers, safety and rescue organisations, and other industry bodies.
The project aimed to address:
- Risk analysis taking into consideration both the benefit and harm, compounded by poor risk information;
- Lack of joined up and proportionate messages;
- Lack of clarity regarding the standards and governance involving commercial Coasteering.
Guidance
The two project documents are now available. AALS inspectors will refer to them when considering providers’ arrangements for Coasteering and leader competencies.
Links
National Water Safety Forum - National Water Safety Forum.
