The Global Aerial Power Athletics Federation (GAPAF) recognises safety as a fundamental principle of responsible sport.

Aerial Power Athletics requires appropriate preparation, qualified professionals, suitable equipment, responsible training practices and careful competition management.

GAPAF is committed to promoting a culture of safety, responsibility, prevention and continuous improvement throughout its international sporting community.

OUR SAFETY COMMITMENT

GAPAF seeks to ensure that safety remains an integral part of training, competition, education and sporting development.

Our approach is based on five fundamental principles:

PREVENTION

Identifying and reducing potential risks before they become incidents.

PROFESSIONALISM

Encouraging qualified and responsible professionals throughout sporting activities.

RESPONSIBILITY

Ensuring that athletes, coaches, officials and technical personnel understand their respective responsibilities.

CONSISTENCY

Promoting clear and consistent safety practices across GAPAF activities.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Reviewing experience, learning from incidents and continuously improving safety practices.

ATHLETE SAFETY

The safety and well-being of athletes are fundamental priorities.

Athletes participating in GAPAF activities should have access to appropriate preparation, qualified supervision and a sporting environment that takes reasonable safety considerations into account.

Athletes are encouraged to:

• follow applicable safety instructions;
• use appropriate equipment;
• participate according to their level of preparation;
• communicate relevant safety concerns;
• respect the instructions of qualified professionals;
• avoid unnecessary or irresponsible risk;
• report unsafe conditions through appropriate channels.

Safety is a shared responsibility between athletes and the wider sporting community.

TRAINING SAFETY

Responsible training is an essential part of athlete development.

Training should be appropriate to the athlete's age, experience, physical condition and level of preparation.

GAPAF encourages:

• progressive physical preparation;
• appropriate technical instruction;
• qualified supervision;
• suitable training environments;
• appropriate warm-up and preparation;
• responsible equipment use;
• risk awareness;
• appropriate recovery and rest;
• clear emergency procedures.

Coaches and instructors should adapt training practices to the individual needs and capabilities of athletes.

EQUIPMENT & RIGGING SAFETY

Aerial disciplines require particular attention to equipment, rigging and the training environment.

GAPAF promotes responsible practices relating to:

• selection of appropriate equipment;
• equipment inspection;
• installation and setup;
• rigging procedures;
• load and usage considerations;
• equipment maintenance;
• identification of wear or damage;
• safe operating practices;
• appropriate technical supervision.

Only appropriately qualified and competent personnel should undertake technical activities requiring specialist knowledge or expertise.

Detailed technical requirements should be established through applicable GAPAF technical regulations and safety procedures.

COMPETITION SAFETY

The organisation of an international sporting competition requires coordinated safety planning.

GAPAF encourages organisers to consider:

• venue suitability;
• equipment and rigging arrangements;
• athlete preparation areas;
• medical and emergency arrangements;
• qualified technical personnel;
• communication procedures;
• audience and participant safety;
• competition-specific risk assessment;
• emergency response procedures.

Competition organisers should establish appropriate safety procedures before, during and after sporting events.

TECHNICAL OFFICIALS & SAFETY PROFESSIONALS

Technical personnel play an important role in maintaining safe sporting environments.

GAPAF supports the professional development of technical officials, riggers and other specialists whose responsibilities may include equipment, rigging, venue preparation and competition safety.

Technical personnel should work within their competence and applicable professional requirements.

Where specialist technical expertise is required, appropriate qualified professionals should be engaged.

COACHES & INSTRUCTORS

Coaches and instructors have an important responsibility for athlete preparation and safe training practices.

GAPAF encourages coaches and instructors to:

• maintain appropriate professional knowledge;
• understand the risks associated with aerial activities;
• provide appropriate supervision;
• use progressive training methods;
• communicate safety requirements clearly;
• recognise when an athlete should not participate;
• respond appropriately to safety concerns;
• maintain a responsible training environment.

Continuous professional development is encouraged.

JUDGES & SPORTING OFFICIALS

Judges and officials contribute to the safe and professional conduct of competitions.

Their responsibilities may include following established competition procedures, communicating appropriately with athletes and officials, and reporting relevant concerns through the appropriate channels.

Judging should always be conducted with professionalism, impartiality and respect for athlete welfare.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Safety begins with identifying potential risks and taking reasonable measures to reduce them.

GAPAF encourages organisers and sporting professionals to consider risks associated with:

• equipment;
• rigging;
• venue conditions;
• athlete preparation;
• competition procedures;
• environmental conditions;
• emergency situations;
• participant behaviour.

Risk management should be proportionate to the nature and level of the sporting activity.

MEDICAL & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Appropriate medical and emergency planning is an important part of responsible sporting event management.

Event organisers should consider appropriate arrangements for:

• first aid;
• emergency communication;
• access for emergency services;
• medical support;
• evacuation procedures;
• incident reporting;
• communication with athletes and officials.

Specific medical and emergency requirements may vary according to the location, scale and nature of each event.

SAFEGUARDING & ATHLETE WELFARE

Safety extends beyond physical protection.

GAPAF promotes a sporting environment that respects the dignity, well-being and personal integrity of all participants.

The Federation does not support:

• abuse;
• harassment;
• bullying;
• intimidation;
• discrimination;
• exploitation;
• inappropriate conduct.

Particular care should be given to the protection and welfare of young athletes and other participants who may require additional safeguarding measures.

SAFETY EDUCATION

Education is one of the most effective tools for improving safety.

GAPAF supports educational initiatives for:

• athletes;
• coaches;
• instructors;
• judges;
• riggers;
• technical officials;
• event organisers;
• sporting administrators.

Safety education may include risk awareness, responsible equipment use, emergency procedures, athlete welfare and other relevant areas of professional practice.

INCIDENT REPORTING

Learning from incidents is an important part of continuous safety improvement.

GAPAF encourages appropriate reporting of:

• accidents;
• injuries;
• equipment failures;
• unsafe conditions;
• technical incidents;
• safeguarding concerns;
• other significant safety-related events.

Reports should be handled responsibly and reviewed in accordance with applicable GAPAF procedures.

The purpose of incident reporting is to support prevention, learning and improvement.

SAFETY STANDARDS

GAPAF may develop and maintain technical and safety standards applicable to its sporting activities.

Such standards may address:

• competition environments;
• equipment;
• rigging;
• technical personnel;
• training practices;
• event organisation;
• emergency procedures;
• athlete welfare.

Applicable requirements will be communicated through official GAPAF regulations, technical documents and event-specific procedures.

Members and event organisers are expected to comply with the requirements applicable to their activities.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Safety standards should evolve with experience, technology, professional knowledge and the development of the sport.

GAPAF is committed to reviewing relevant practices and encouraging the exchange of professional experience within the international sporting community.

Lessons learned from competitions, training, technical assessments and reported incidents may contribute to the continuous improvement of safety practices.

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

Safety cannot be achieved by one organisation or one professional alone.

It is a shared responsibility of:

ATHLETES

To act responsibly and follow applicable safety procedures.

COACHES & INSTRUCTORS

To provide appropriate preparation, supervision and instruction.

TECHNICAL PERSONNEL

To perform technical responsibilities within their competence.

JUDGES & OFFICIALS

To support professional and responsible competition procedures.

EVENT ORGANISERS

To establish appropriate event safety and emergency arrangements.

NATIONAL & CONTINENTAL ORGANISATIONS

To support responsible implementation of applicable standards.

GAPAF

To promote, develop and continuously improve international sporting safety principles.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFE SPORT

GAPAF believes that sporting excellence and safety must develop together.

The Federation will continue to work with athletes, coaches, judges, technical specialists, national federations, clubs, academies and event organisers to promote responsible practices and strengthen safety throughout Aerial Power Athletics.

Our objective is to create a sporting environment in which participants can pursue excellence with confidence, professionalism and respect.

SAFETY FIRST. RESPONSIBILITY ALWAYS.

Global Aerial Power Athletics Federation — GAPAF