Swimming and myopia

[fireheart]

NOTE: This is to the limits of my knowledge, which is layman's knowledge. I DO recommend talking to a doctor or an optometrist. An optometrist is going to have the knowledge to answer that question; and if you're due for a check, you may as well drop in.

(Note to non-Aussies: as long as we don't go /too/ frequently, optometry checks are free in Aussieland. The glasses aren't, but the checks are.)

Already had a check and it completely slipped my mind. The only things I've been told not to do are any contact sports or bungee jumping.

[Seshat]

If you go at a quiet time, they may be willing to answer that question anyway.

[fireheart]

If you go at a quiet time, they may be willing to answer that question anyway.

She did mention the prescription goggles after I mentioned that I swim over at the pool near the optometrist, however those things cost upwards of sixty bucks depending on where I get it from.

Thanks for the advice by the way folks...the reason why I asked this originally was that I had applied for a swimming teacher position at a swim school not that far from me. They liked my resume, however their policy is not to hire uni students unless those students have two years left on their degree at a minimum: the reason behind this is due to the fact that they do a LOT of training in-house (they are a registered training organisation) and by the time the teachers are up to standard, their degree has finished and they usually leave straight after.

Fortunately it's STRICTLY a swim school (they only run teaching sessions, no leisure play or adults trying to be the next Michael Phelps) and if parents have any gripes about how little Mary isn't going to be the next Susie O'Neill or Leisel Jones after 3 lessons, then they gripe at the deck supervisor and not at me.

[PandaHatBear]

Goggles and Contacts

Try online for the goggles! Things are normally cheaper there! Even if it's not quite strong enough, it might be enough to cope. I *think* that weaker is better than stronger but you'd need to check with an optician. I really did the fashion end of selling the glasses! I worked in an opticians until August last year - gave it up for 4th year of Uni, and I miss it like crazy.

You can expect to be blind as a bat, but other than that, no problems.

If possible, you may want to look into getting contacts. I wear mine in the pool all the time and I've never had a problem with losing one. As long as you're not doing anything too rough in the water, either your glasses or contact lenses should be just fine.

We were always told to say never to wear contacts in a swimming pool because of the chlorine in the water. I think it can build up and cause problems. Although if they're daily disposables and you maybe wear goggles so there's not much water contact? It would suck to be the unfortunate one where things go wrong though! It might just be what they say in the UK though - they're crazy strict with the rules here. Check with an optician is always the best bet!

[fireheart]

I'll fire off an email to AUSTSWIM regarding this as well and let you guys know of the outcome. (There are two main courses in Australia for someone to be qualified as a swimming teacher-AUSTSWIM and World Swimming Course. Theres a third one that qualifies you to teach the Vacswim programs that run during the summer)

ETA: Absolutely fine

[the lawsmeister]

She did mention the prescription goggles after I mentioned that I swim over at the pool near the optometrist, however those things cost upwards of sixty bucks depending on where I get it from.

May be worth noting that if this position becomes your primary source of income you could claim the cost of the goggles as a tax deduction. Also if you have private health cover your may be able to get them to cover the cost.
I looked at getting a prescription dive mask once and was told that while they wouldn't pay for a new mask they would pay for the new lens.

[Sapphire Silk]

May be worth noting that if this position becomes your primary source of income you could claim the cost of the goggles as a tax deduction. Also if you have private health cover your may be able to get them to cover the cost.
I looked at getting a prescription dive mask once and was told that while they wouldn't pay for a new mask they would pay for the new lens.

Assuming fireheart lives in the US, she can claim a deduction even if it's a part time job, if the goggles are intended for a legitimate work purpose.

I deduct any new uniforms, lab coats, work shoes, stethoscope, and similar stuff on my taxes every year.

[fireheart]

May be worth noting that if this position becomes your primary source of income you could claim the cost of the goggles as a tax deduction. Also if you have private health cover your may be able to get them to cover the cost.
I looked at getting a prescription dive mask once and was told that while they wouldn't pay for a new mask they would pay for the new lens.

Probably won't need to do that. The goggles I DO use in the pool at the moment allow me to see mostly OK i.e. I can see people fine up close without straining.

Assuming fireheart lives in the US, she can claim a deduction even if it's a part time job, if the goggles are intended for a legitimate work purpose.

Australian. You can claim deductions for legitimate expenses though here similar to the US: my dad claims the car plus all his tools as the van is used strictly for work purposes. (occasionally it's the backup car if me or my sister get a lift home)

Also on that note: while eye tests are free here in Ausland, glasses are not. Usually insurance will cover MOST of the costs, but not all of it. My two pairs of glasses worked out nicely this time around to about $350 after insurance deductions. (Specsavers were VERY good-for those in Ausland, I would highly recommend them as they have a good range, their staff are friendly and patient and you can even upload your photo onto their website so you can try on frames ) My previous pairs of glasses were really expensive.

I rang AUSTSWIM (the course providers) the other day and they said that I should be fine, I'm not the first person to go through the program needing prescription glasses. I do have a backup old pair that are still in good nick and would be OK for the pool.

[fireheart]

So I had the interview today and the issue was brought up. I'm not the first person in the company to be wearing them thankfully.

She did ask me if the old pair were plastic frames or not, since chlorine can be corrosive .

Fortunately the pair that I do own are metal around the lens, but the arms are plastic.

[Kheldarson]

I figured I'd chime in with the fact that I always wear old glasses at the pool and just don't bother taking them off. And when I worked as a lifeguard I bought a pair of prescription glasses that I felt comfortable jumping into the water with.

But no contacts for me. Allergic to chlorine and that just hurt.

If you do go without your glasses, you'll prolly have headaches. But it sounds like you've got it cleared with your job so that's good.

[fireheart]

If you do go without your glasses, you'll prolly have headaches. But it sounds like you've got it cleared with your job so that's good.

I haven't GOT the job just yet

[Kheldarson]

Eh, close enough. Think positive?

[Seshat]

Yes, regardless of whether this is a primary or secondary source of income, the goggles will be tax deductible.

So long as she declares this as a source of income on her tax form, and she makes enough (total) to pay some tax, the cost of the goggles will be offset.

(The ATO doesn't let you pay negative tax. Awww. )

(ATO = Australian Tax Office)

[fireheart]

Yes, regardless of whether this is a primary or secondary source of income, the goggles will be tax deductible.

So long as she declares this as a source of income on her tax form, and she makes enough (total) to pay some tax, the cost of the goggles will be offset.

(The ATO doesn't let you pay negative tax. Awww. )

(ATO = Australian Tax Office)

Apparaently the training that I'll have to do to be employed will be tax-deductible.

(for the record, the training is around $250-$315 depending on provider. Plus CPR training, which is around an extra $50)

[Seshat]

Yes, it is.

Anything that is a condition of your employment is tax deductible, including uniform-type clothes.
Ordinary clothes aren't, but stuff like scrubs might be, and required uniforms definitely are. It's worth calling the ATO and checking about your swimming togs, actually: if you buy togs specifically for the job, they might be deductible.

For this job, my list of 'worth asking, at least' would be:
* the uniform shirt
* training
* any journals or other educational materials you use to keep up to date
* the 'keep up to date' first aid courses you'll have to do to keep your certification current
* goggles - especially prescription goggles
* teaching tools, if you use any (including things you hand out to the kids)
* swimwear, towels, and other equipment IF you use them specifically for the job.