Codes of Conduct
- For Club Members
- For Parents of young members.
- For Working with children and Vulnerable Adults
All members, and any guests of
Sunstar Sub-Aqua Club, whether divers, instructors or officials will abide by
this code of conduct, and will comply with British Sub-Aqua Association and
Sunstar Sub-Aqua Club rules and guidelines at all times.
The essence of good ethical conduct and practice is summarised below:
- Treat other club members with respect at all times and develop an
appropriate working relationship based on mutual trust and respect.
- Avoid behaviour which may inconvenience or upset others.
- Conduct your diving in accordance with BSAC's Safe Diving Practices and
Sunstar's rules.
- Never condone rule violations, unsafe practices or the use of prohibited
substances.
- Dive within your own qualification and comfort limits and recognise the
similar constraints of your buddy.
- Listen to Skippers and Dive Managers and comply with their requests.
- Keep all
equipment tidy on the poolside/shore/boats and away from areas which might
cause a trip hazard.
- Handle all
equipment safely and ask for assistance/assist in the carrying of heavy
equipment.
- Any injuries must
be reported to the Dive Manager immediately who will decide the next course of
action.
- Any suspicion of
unacceptable behaviour or abuse must be reported to the Responsible Person
immediately. Where appropriate the guidelines and procedures in the BSAC
'Welfare of the Vulnerable' policy will then be followed.
- Emphasise that the fact that the rules and procedures associated with
Scuba diving are there for their own personal safety and must be complied with.
- Encourage your child to learn the background theory and safe diving
practices and act in accordance with them.
- Explain to your child that there is nothing competitive about the sport
and that it is all about enjoying oneself underwater in a safe and responsible
manner.
- Never force your child to take part in sport.
- Encourage your child to speak out if they are uncomfortable about
anything they are being asked to do, either whilst training or diving for
pleasure.
- Never punish or belittle a child for making mistakes.
- Publicly accept the Training Officer's, Diving Officer's or Dive
Manager's judgements.
- Support your child's involvement and help them to enjoy their sport.
- Use correct and proper language at all times.
The BSAC supports and requires the
following good practice by members when in significant contact with children
and vulnerable adults.
When working with children or vulnerable adults:
- Make activities fun, enjoyable and promote fair play.
- Always work in an open environment e.g. avoid
private or unobserved situations and encourage an open environment for all
activities.
- Treat all children and vulnerable adults
equally, with respect and dignity.
- Put the welfare of each child or vulnerable
adult first before achieving performance goals.
- Be an excellent role model.
- Give enthusiastic and constructive feedback
rather than negative criticism.
- Ensure that if any form of manual or physical
support is required for a child or vulnerable adult, it is provided openly, the
child or vulnerable adult is informed of what is being done and their consent
is obtained.
- Deliver educational instruction first verbally;
secondly role-modelled; and thirdly, and only if necessary, with hands on -
which must be accompanied by telling the child or vulnerable adult where you
are putting your hands and why it is necessary and obtaining their consent.
- Involve parents, guardians and carers wherever
possible.
- Build balanced relationships based on mutual
trust that empower children and vulnerable adults to share in the
decision-making process.
- Recognise the developmental needs and capacity
of children and vulnerable adults and avoid excessive training and either
pushing them against their will or putting undue pressure on them.
