New draft guidelines released for safe diving at aquatic facilities

A draft guideline for safe diving at aquatic facilities has been released by Royal Life Saving - Australia on behalf of the National Aquatic Industry Committee (NAIC) for public consultation.

The draft guideline has been released alongside an updated guideline for the management of lightning at aquatic facilities.

Diving is a popular activity at aquatic facilities, but without appropriate risk management, it can pose significant dangers. Research indicates that unsafe diving is a leading cause of spinal cord injuries, accounting for 10% of all spinal injuries and 20% of quadriplegia cases in Australia. The highest incidence occurs among children aged 10 to 14, followed by children aged five to nine. The total cost of spinal cord injuries to the Australian economy is estimated at $674 million annually (2024).

Recognising the importance of addressing these risks, the NAIC has prepared the Safe Diving at Aquatic Facilities Guideline which provides practical guidance for facility operators, covering management of recreational diving, competitive dive starts, teaching diving and provides references to the design and supervision of diving boards, platforms, and pool tanks.

RJ Houston, General Manager – Capability & Industry at Royal Life Saving noted "diving is an integral part of the aquatic experience, but ensuring the safety of all users, from recreational swimmers to professional athletes is paramount if the industry is to realise its full preventative health benefit to society."

The guideline is now open for public consultation until 15th February, after which the National Aquatic Industry Committee (NAIC) will review the feedback. A final guideline will be published following this process.

Georgie Nichol, General Manager at AUSTSWIM, highlighted the importance of aligning teaching practices with safety guidance adding "Teaching diving is a key component of many swim school programs, and it’s vital that all swimming and water safety teachers ensure their practices reflect the latest safety standards. These guidelines offer a valuable framework for educators, ensuring students learn to dive in a safe and structured way."

Mathew Simpson, Project Manager - National Programs at Swimming Australia, emphasised safety in competitive settings sharing "Diving is an action that is a crucial part of many aquatic sports and activities; diving, swimming, artistic swimming and more. These new guidelines support facility operators, coaches, officials and sporting organisations in ensuring safety for all athletes while training and competing."

In addition, NAIC has authorised an updated version of its Guideline for the Management of Lightning at Aquatic Facilities, ensuring this critical safety document reflects current best practices.