Guidance: Octopush and underwater hockey

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Underwater hockey, known as Octopush in the UK, is a game played with 12 players, 6 of whom can be in play at any one time. The sport is played in a 25 x 15 metre pool with water 2-4 metres deep. Players wear large fins, a diving mask, a snorkel, and a thick glove to protect their hands from the pool bottom and the puck. The puck is made of lead and weighs about 1.5 kilograms. 

Industry guidance

The following industry guidance is available in relation to octopush and underwater hockey: 

• British Octopush Association. 2008. Controlled risks form. Version 1.2. Available at https://www.gbuwh.co.uk/UserFiles/Clubs/xarifa/File/Xarifa%20UWH%20Docs/BOA%20Controlled%20Risks%20v1_2.pdf accessed 12 September 2023. 
• Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques. 2019. Championship organization procedures & obligations. Available at https://archives.cmas.org/cmas/sign-in-php accessed 12 September 2023. 
• Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques. 2018. Procedures and obligations for the organization of underwater hockey competitions. Available at https://archives.cmas.org/hockey/about-hockey accessed 12 September 2023. 
• Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques. 2018. Coaching framework. Volume 1. Available at https://archives.cmas.org/cmas/sign-in-php accessed 12 September 2023. 
• Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques. 2018. Volume 1 Playing area requirements. Version 11. Available at https://archives.cmas.org/hockey/about-hockey accessed 12 September 2023. 
• Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques. 2018. Volume 2 International rules for underwater hockey. Version 11. Available at https://archives.cmas.org/hockey/about-hockey accessed 12 September 2023. 

Hazards

The following hazards are typically present in underwater hockey training and competitions: 

1. Hypoxic blackout - caused by extensive breath-holding, hypoxic blackout is the sudden loss of consciousness due to high levels of carbon dioxide in the lungs and bloodstream. 
2. Drowning - there are multiple causalities that may result in a player drowning during underwater hockey practice or competition.
3. Collision - there is a risk of collision between players underwater that may result in bruising or lacerations. 
4. Slip - there is a risk of players slipping on the pool surround. 
5. Trip - there is a risk of players tripping whilst wearing fins on the pool surround or over obstructions left on the pool surround. 
6. Laceration - there is a risk of lacerations from contact with another player's fins. 

Control measures

The following control measures will support safer management, supervision, and participation in underwater hockey training and competitions: 

1. Provision of safety awareness training to players around the dangers of breath-holding and how to recognise the signs of pending blackout. 
2. Ensure all players are strong, proficient and competent swimmers. 
3. Brief all players on the rules around contact with other players during play. 
4. Enforce a tidy pool surround policy to reduce trip hazards. 
5. Regularly clean and maintain the pool surround in accordance with the floor surface manufacturer's guidelines. 
6. Carry out a pendulum test to validate the effectiveness of the cleaning and maintenance regime. 
7. Thoroughly disinfect all equipment after use. 
8. Encourage players to purchase and maintain their own snorkel and mask to improve hygiene controls. 
9. Training sessions must be supervised by a competent and qualified underwater hockey coach. Coaches must adhere to and apply best practices when instructing players. 
10. Competitions must be supervised by a competent and qualified underwater hockey referee. 
11. Players should shower and disinfect their hands after each session. 
12. The puck should only be handled using the gloves provided. 

Citation. Jacklin, D. 2023. Guidance on octopush and underwater hockey. Water Incident Research Hub, 12 September.