Information for swimming teachers and coaches

When you’re teaching a deaf child to swim, or coaching them for competitive swimming, there are additional things to think about.

With the right adaptions and good deaf awareness, you can help make sure nothing holds deaf children back from becoming confident swimmers.

Communication in the pool

It’s important to be aware of how to communicate with a deaf child when swimming. This is vital for their safety.

Communication is also important for making sure the deaf child gets the most out of their swimming lesson or coaching session. It stops the deaf child missing out on information and makes sure they understand exactly what to do. This will help them learn and grow in confidence.

How do deaf people communicate?

Not every deaf person communicates in the same way. Some deaf people use British Sign Language (BSL). Others use speech or a mix of signing and verbal communication.

There are also different levels of deafness. Someone’s level of hearing loss can be used to explain how much they can hear.

Some deaf people choose to use technology, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants. These make sound clearer and can help with communicating through speech. However, this technology can be difficult to use while swimming:

• Most hearing aids are not waterproof, so they have to be removed for swimming.
• There are a number of waterproof accessories for cochlear implants. However, they may not be accessible for everyone. Cochlear implants are also very expensive, so some people may feel more comfortable taking it off to swim rather than risk damage. 

If a child takes off their hearing aid or cochlear implant processor, they will not be able to hear in the same way and this may affect how they communicate.

It is very important to understand and respect the deaf child’s communication preferences and work with them to find the best ways to help them learn.

Deaf-friendly communication

Here are our strategies for communicating with a deaf child at the pool:

Do:

• Ask them how they like to communicate, both in and out of the pool.
• Get their attention before speaking – try waving your hand, a flag or a float.
• If they use hearing technology, explain things poolside when they are still wearing their hearing aid or implant.
• Physically demonstrate how to do different strokes or techniques.
• Stay in one place and keep eye contact.
• Use visual aids like directional lane boards, photos, pictures, videos and mini whiteboards.
• Check that the deaf child has understood before moving on. Some children may feel too shy to ask you to repeat yourself.
• Repeat other swimmers’ contributions to the lesson or answers to questions, so that the deaf child can lip read if needed.

Do not:

• Speak too slowly, too quickly or shout! This distorts your lip patterns and can make it harder to understand what you are saying.
• Move around the pool when you’re talking, signing or gesturing.
• Cover your mouth or talk with your whistle in your mouth.
• Talk and demonstrate at the same time.
• Give up. Try explaining differently, write it down, use pictures or demonstrations.

Adapting to the pool environment

Swimming pools can be a difficult environment for hearing and communication. This is because they are usually in large, enclosed spaces with lots of hard surfaces. This means that noises ‘bounce around’ and can make verbal communication more challenging.

There are lots of things you can do to adapt to the pool environment and make sure your deaf student always has a great session.

• Make sure the pool is well lit. Light should shine on your face, not from behind you. This makes sure the deaf child can clearly read lips or see any signs you use.
• Make sure everyone knows what to do in an emergency. Agree on a visual signal to alert everyone.
• During the session, turn off any noisy pool features, such as jets, flumes or fountains.
• Create visual signs directing swimmers to toilets, showers and changing rooms.
• Create a visual board to display by the side of the pool. Include names and photos of teachers and coaches and write down the pool rules. 

Working with an interpreter or Communication Support Worker (CSW)

If a child uses British Sign Language (BSL) as their main form of communication, they may need to have a BSL interpreter or Communication Support Worker (CSW) during lessons. 

They will stand on the side of the pool and translate everything you say into British Sign Language. They will also translate what the deaf child signs into spoken English. 

Here is some useful information for working with one of these professionals:

• Share your plan for the lesson or coaching session with the interpreter in advance. They will need time to prepare. Explain any jargon or special swimming terms.
• Remember that the child will need to see both you and the interpreter clearly. Consider this when deciding where you and the interpreter should stand, and where to position the child in the pool.
• In addition to talking through the interpreter, find other ways to communicate with the deaf child. You could use gestures, write messages and learn some basic BSL. Some direct communication will help build a rapport.
• When talking to the deaf child, try to maintain eye contact with them rather than the interpreter.
• Remember that the child cannot watch both you and the interpreter at the same time. If you are demonstrating a stroke, give the interpreter time to finish interpreting before moving on.

Glue ear and swimming

Glue ear is a very common childhood condition. It is caused by fluid build-up in the middle ear and can cause temporary hearing loss.

Some children with glue ear may have surgery to fit grommets. These are plastic tubes placed in the ears to help drain fluid and equalise pressure. 

For some children with glue ear, particularly those who have had grommet surgery, swimming can pose a risk of infection. A child’s doctor will advise whether they can go swimming or not.

If a doctor says they can go swimming, they may still need to take precautions. Doctors may advise:

• Staying out of the water for at least 3 weeks after a grommet operation.
• Wearing ear moulds.
• Wearing a tight swim cap or neoprene headband over the ears.
• Avoiding jumping, diving and swimming in deep water.
• Avoiding swimming in water which may have high levels of bacteria, such as non-chlorinated pools or lakes.