Underwater Society of America

Safety Guidelines for Underwater

The Underwater Society of America (USOA) has adopted the following Safety Guidelines for participants in USOA sanctioned underwater activities. While no sporting activity is without risk, the USOA feels these Safety Guidelines will minimize what little risk exists in training or competition. USOA plays four underwater sports - local to international level. Athletes wear masks, fins and snorkels. There are two team sports: underwater and . There are two individual sports: fin and skindiving .

Underwater Hockey is a played in a hard-bottomed pool with depths of up to 12 feet. Short sticks are used to push and pass a 3-pound puck along the pool bottom into the opponents . Underwater Rugby is also a snorkeling sport played up to depths of 16 feet. A negatively buoyant ball is used, and play is both in the water column as well as at the pool bottom. Because the play occurs underwater for both sports, players must use controlled and dive underwater for short periods of time while in play. In these team sports, players dive down to play in close coordination with their teammates to score or defend a goal.

Fin swimming is classic swim competition for speed with fins. Skindiving spearfishing is a fishing competition where no scuba is used.

Extended underwater breath holding can increase the risk of unconsciousness. USOA realizes the risk of such an occurrence is extremely low due to the inherent nature of the sports. However, the organization requires that all underwater sport athletes players read, understand and agree to follow these guidelines:

1) Hyperventilation is not allowed prior to or during underwater sports activities. Hyperventilation is the act of breathing deeper and/or faster than needed to sustain a normal level of saturation in the body. Hyperventilation is used while a person is at rest in an attempt to purge carbon dioxide (CO2) from the body prior to an athletic activity. It is heavy breathing after a cardiovascular workout in order to increase the level of oxygen rather than an attempt to purge CO2 to below normal levels.

2) Extensive or long duration breath-holding is neither allowed nor necessary for play or training. Extensive breath-holding for a long period of time and/or to deep depths is a potentially dangerous activity and is not a usual, useful or productive activity in underwater sports. In the team sports, rarely do players stay submerged for more than 15 seconds - even at the highest levels of play. Underwater team sports require multiple short dives and quick up-and-down cycling to produce a higher oxygen level and provide for fast swimming, quick turns, team coordination and skillful play. Under no circumstances should athletes try to stay submerged for long periods of time or distances, even in training.

3) Underwater sport activities in a pool, including controlled breathing exercises and swims, shall occur in the direct supervision of others. Even though serious injury or unconsciousness is an extremely low risk factor in underwater sports, as in any sport, incidents can happen where an athlete needs assistance. A capable observer or buddy system shall always be used. Groups of 4 or more players may play /rugby without a direct supervisor (the other players are the observers) while groups of three or fewer shall use a non-participating observer charged only with watching the players. A rotating buddy system ensures that one player is fully able to view or assist the others. Do not practice any type of underwater exercises alone - even with a lifeguard present!

4) Underwater sport athletes shall always be aware the possibility of an injured player exists and be vigilant about scanning the entire pool for injured or unconscious players. Underwater sports are fortunate in its use of masks and snorkels allows all athletes to have a good view of the pool and others. If a player were to be injured, another player or would quickly observe the injured player and be able to provide immediate assistance.

Constant surveillance and awareness of the playing field by players, substitutes, and keeps our sports safe. All participants shall constantly monitor the pool and act to aid a swimmer if any sign of help is needed.

5) Underwater hockey/rugby players shall never remain motionless in the water, because the most noticeable sign of unconsciousness is lying still. While on the bottom or floating on the surface, USOA Underwater sports require participants to keep moving so that others know the player is conscious,. While a lack of motion in itself is not specifically dangerous, it lowers the alertness of those who might respond to a true accident. Always make movements to be sure people know all are OK.

6) All underwater hockey and rugby players are required to wear protective gear. Although the rules of underwater hockey dictate it is a non-, incidental contact may occur. Injuries may occur from a wayward stick, a puck, a swim stroke or an unfortunate fin kick. A dual lens or monolithic mask, protective ear guards; hand protection and are required in underwater hockey.

Underwater rugby is a full contact sport and players may tackle the opponent as long as the opposing player is in possession of the ball. A dual lens or monolithic mask and protective ear guards are required in underwater rugby. Optional equipment includes elbow pads, knee pads and tape to protect from abrasive pool surfaces.

While USOA realizes incidents may occur, safety is our highest priority. Wearing of dual lens design or monolithic masks greatly reduces the chances of lens breakages, while other protective equipment greatly limits the risk of injury.

7) All injuries requiring medical attention and resulting from underwater sport activities must be reported to the local USOA representative and to the USOA Underwater Sports National Safety Director. An incident/accident form must be completed and submitted monthly. USOA strives to attain the safest environment feasible. To identify potential sources of injury, a record of underwater sport-related incidents and injuries is required. As part of the underwater sport community, responsibility for injury reports lies with the persons at the site of an incident and especially the injured player. Injury report forms are available from your local club/council and the USOA website: underwater-society.org.

8) Underwater sports athletes shall read, understand and sign an understanding of these Safety Guidelines annually. These guidelines shall be presented to any new players prior to participation.

I (print name) ______hereby attest that I have read and understand the information provided to me regarding the USOA Underwater Safety Guidelines for participating in underwater sport activities, including the potential associated with the sports and necessary precautions to prevent injury, including unconsciousness. In addition, I agree to follow all local aquatic facility rules.

______Participant Signature Date

______Participant Name

underwater-society.org Updated October 2020