THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER SAFETY EDUCATION
15.10.2004
Steve Franks, Operations Director for the Swimming Teachers Association (STA), expresses his opinion on what he sees as a lack of emphasis on basic water safety education in the industry.
If a child can swim it is generally assumed that they are safe in and around water, that the skills they possess, albeit rudimentary, are enough to save their lives. No one would dispute that developing basic swimming competence is an essential ‘Life Skill’ activity that does save lives, but unfortunately, all too often lives are lost through a lack of awareness and over confidence. Therefore there is a need to develop a greater awareness of the threats and hazards that water and water environments can present. So what is water safety education and what differentiates this from existing initiatives and why should you expand your swimming programmes to incorporate this activity?
Why is water safety education so important?
Water safety spans all age ranges from toddlers to adults, and focuses on minimising any risk of danger in and around water. Following a basic water safety code helps children to understand the potential perils and hidden dangers that water may pose such as water depth, temperature, currents, hidden rubbish, etc. Water safety also addresses safety and emergency procedures and emphasises essential do’s and don’ts. An understanding of fundamental water safety can mean the difference between life and death and should not, therefore, be underestimated.
The STA, who are the only swimming organisation that incorporators a comprehensive water safety programme into its teaching and learn to swim qualifications, believe that the number one reason for teaching water safety is to save lives by reducing the number of deaths by drowning.
By implementing a ‘coaching to be safer’ scheme from an early age, to support the teaching of swimming skills, stroke technique and speed will reinforce positive messages and improve a child’s general awareness of potential dangers near or in the water. UK figures tell us that drowning among the under 16’s is the third largest cause of death and that most of these could have been avoided. More alarmingly, many of the youngsters that tragically die can actually swim. This points to a failing in the current system of education to adequately inform and instil in youngsters’ minds safety considerations. Although the risk of drowning in the UK is very small (under 1 per 100,000), one less drowning is a major triumph for the industry. According to RoSPA’s figures, in 2002, 427 people lost their lives due to water related incidents, the vast majority (39%) of whom died in inland waterways. Figures tell us that more children drown in swimming pools abroad than in the UK, which again emphasises the breadth and importance of the task. We clearly need to prepare children for unforeseen circumstance by educating them about the hidden dangers of such environments. In addition, we should ensure that basic swimming and lifesaving skills are sufficient to allow an individual to recognise dangers and escape from emergency situations. It is not unreasonable to think that drowning figures could be reduced further if water safety education was taken more seriously.
Invest in the future
From a commercial standpoint, Leisure Managers and other professionals operating swimming facilities need to minimise any risks to those learning to swim. This encompasses those teaching, coaching and supervising, together with ancillary staff to ensure a common thread of safety is established.
David Candler, Swimming Development Officer from Arun District Council and STA Swimming Tutor adds: “Water safety education is not only important from a life saving perspective, but it is also a contributing factor towards supporting the recruitment of lifeguards in swimming pools. Time and time again we see youngsters wanting a career in lifeguarding or swimming, but they have little swimming experience or water safety knowledge, and one of the main reasons for this, I believe, is the decline in the number of lifesaving clubs based at local leisure centres; as they, traditionally provided a valuable source of qualified staff for leisure centres with pools.”
