Incorporating water safety into your program
Swim schools and swim teachers should incorporate water safety education and water safety skills into their formal learn to swim programs. Schools and teachers are responsible for developing the future attitudes and beliefs of our next generation. You should also make a commitment to continue your water safety education messages and skills in the swimming lesson all year round.
Water safety games and activities very often fit nicely into the warm up or final activity of a lesson plan. Children love using their imaginations and swimming teachers can very easily take the children on a journey to the beach, river, creek or farm to highlight different water hazards or dangers in a fun and exciting way. There are a huge variety of different water safety scenarios or activities the creative teacher can utilise. However some common ideas to incorporate in activities may include:
- Never swimming alone
- Swimming between the flags while at the beach
- Wearing a personal floating device while boating or fishing
- Entering the water safely e.g. assessing water depth and potential debris
- Following rules and reading signage
- How to respond in an emergency
- How to signal for help
- Rescue techniques and the importance of self preservation
- Sun safety and dressing appropriately for aquatic environments
- The importance of active parental supervision
- Encouraging parents to learn CPR and first aid skills
Looking for more information?
Learn2Swim Week
Learn2Swim Week 2018 is held during the October holidays from October 2 – October 9. It is an inaugural awareness week aimed at educating parents on the importance of teaching kids aged under five to swim. It’s also about reminding everyone about the importance of water safety. For more information visit http://learn2swimweek.com/.
Kids Alive do the Five
With the help of the Australian Government Laurie through his Kids Alive – do the five drowning prevention program has released a water safety pack which has been delivered free to all swim schools registered with AUSTSWIM and Swim Australia. These free resources can be downloaded at no charge via the Kids Alive website at the following link http://www.kidsalive.com.au/early-childhood-program/. Laurie encourages all swim schools to inform families who are attending their centre to log on and get these new water safety resources including animations, e-books and music so that they can continue the water safety education messages at home.
Professional Development Academy
The Professional Development Academy is World Wide Swim School’s dedicated online training platform for teachers. Swim teachers can use these learning programs for upgrade professional development points towards re-accreditation. Learn more here https://worldwideswimschool.com/swim-teachers/.
Laurie Lawrence