{"id":255,"date":"2020-01-07T19:36:44","date_gmt":"2020-01-07T19:36:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/w-lcrewboosters.org\/?page_id=255"},"modified":"2024-04-03T16:52:02","modified_gmt":"2024-04-03T16:52:02","slug":"safety-and-conduct","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/w-lcrewboosters.org\/crew-handbook\/safety-and-conduct\/","title":{"rendered":"Safety & Conduct"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” overlay_strength=”0.3″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_custom_heading text=”Safety & Conduct” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left|color:%23111f3e” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1581444920077{margin-bottom: 40px !important;}”][vc_column_text]\n

Safety<\/h3>\n

The safety of team members is of primary importance to all who are associated with the W-L Crew Program. It is important that all crew parents, team members, and the school administration understand the decision-making process involved in helping assure the safety of our team members.<\/p>\n

Many factors are taken into consideration before making the decision to launch shells. These factors include the experience of the coaches and crew members, the height and speed of the river, wind speed and direction, amount of debris in the river, direction of tidal flow, the temperature of both air and water, and forecasted weather.<\/p>\n

When small craft warnings (15-34 MPH winds) are posted for our area or river levels rise above normal stages, our coaches weigh carefully all the conditions listed above prior to deciding which shells to launch, if any.<\/p>\n

A W-L Crew coach normally arrives at the boathouse prior to launch time to check weather and water conditions and decides which shells will be launched. The coach listens to weather forecasts and talks with the other coaches.<\/p>\n

Based upon all of the information available, the W-L Crew coaches make their decision concerning practice that day based on their assessment of the above conditions. All of our coaches are aware of the unpredictability of the weather and realize that weather conditions and the river must be respected.<\/p>\n

In addition to the decision-making process described, other precautions exist in the area of safety. All shells have positive buoyancy (watertight compartments at the bow and stern) and the oars can be used as flotation devices. All launches (motor boats) are equipped with life preservers for all rowers and a megaphone for use by the coach, \u201cspace blankets\u201d to protect rowers from the cold should they get wet, and radios or cellular telephones to contact other coaches, the boathouse and the Harbor Police.<\/p>\n

A parent volunteer Dock Monitor is available at practices to help if an emergency arises. Finally, all students who row crew must pass a swimming test. Additional water safety training is offered at the beginning of each season. Each crew member is expected to comply with team rules and Potomac Boat Club rules to maintain safe and proper behavior at all times.<\/p>\n

Should on-water assistance be required, the D.C. Marine Police have jurisdiction. Once they arrive, they have authority over coaches and rowers. If the Police deem it necessary, some, or all, of the rowers involved in an emergency situation could be sent to a hospital for a check-up. At this point, our coaches have no say in the police decision process.<\/p>\n

The W-L Crew Boosters and school administration have confidence in the abilities of our coaches to operate safely on and about the water.<\/p>\n

Conduct<\/h3>\n

W-L High School Crew is fully committed to the safety of all athletes, and participants, by complying with the USRowing SafeSport policies<\/a> below. Specifically, the following misconduct will not be tolerated:<\/span><\/p>\n