Strobe Lights / Epilepsy

Scenario

A coach came to talk to me because she had noticed we were deploying strobe lights for deaf and hard of hearing swimmers. In an upcoming heat, one of this coach's swimmers was seeded right next to a hard of hearing swimmer. This particular swimmer is a diagnosed epileptic, and one of her triggers is flashing lights. The coach was concerned that the strobe might bring on a seizure. Luckily, we had an open lane in the following heat due to a scratch, so we moved the epileptic swimmer to that heat.

I'm wondering if this is the best approach, and/or if there are more general or accepted procedures that should be followed?

Question

What is the best procedure for managing this scenario?

Solution/recommendation

The risk of the single strobe causing a seizure is low and the strobe must meet specific frequencies for a seizure to occur. Photosensitivity and Seizures | Epilepsy Foundation

However, it is important to work with the coach to help find the best solution for their swimmer so that a seizure may not be triggered.

Some possible suggestions may be but are not limited to:

1. Moving the swimmer with epilepsy to another heat if an open lane is available
2. If the d/Deaf and hard of hearing swimmer is open to having the strobe on the side of the block, move the strobe away from the swimmer with epilepsy

The d/Deaf and hard of hearing swimmer should not be disadvantaged by the request.

The link to the Swimming Canada resource for supporting D/dear and hard of hearing swimmers is attached.

Ddeaf-and-Hard-of-hearing-swimmers-at-competitions-Feb-2024.pdf