Lifesaving Fun at Wombourne Leisure Centre
Wombourne Lifesaving Club, based at Wombourne Leisure Centre held an open session on Thursday 21st June 2018 at 6.30pm.
On offer were 4 taster stations where visitors between the ages of 8 to 14 years old were given the opportunity to see what lifesaving is all about and to participate in receiving the message from the Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS) regarding Drowning prevention in it’s annual campaign to raise awareness of drowning and to spread the message around preventing deaths due to drowning.
Participants had the opportunity to learn what the SAFE code means in and around water; how to do CPR, how to put someone in the Recovery Position, how to rescue someone from the side of water/pool, and how to rescue someone from the water safely.
16 young people took part in the event and all participants received a Drowning Prevention week certificate and a water safety advice leaflet published by the RLSS.
Quote from one parent who attended:
“We live near a canal and didn’t realise that this type of activity could help our children learn how to be safe in and around water. We will be coming back to learn more at the club each week”
One young person that attended said “I didn’t realise you could learn so much about lifesaving and I really enjoyed having a go at trying to rescue someone in the water. I’m asking Mom if I can come again to learn more”.
Bridget Chambers, Lifesaving Instructor said “We are proud to be participating in Drowning Prevention week as we are coming up to the time of year where accidental deaths due to drowning increase as children play in areas that are not safe and although they may be strong swimmers, many don’t know what to do if they or their friends get into trouble whilst in the water. This is particularly poignant following the recent incident at Westport Lake where three children got into difficulties and sadly one lost his life. Drowning Prevention week helps spread the message about why it is important to know what to do in an emergency and how to stay safe!”
Did you know:
- Over 700 people drown in the UK and Ireland every year and many more suffer injury, some life-changing, through near-drowning experiences. Keep your family safe this summer with the RLSS UK’s summer water safety messages bit.ly/SummerWaterSafety #STOPDROWNING
- Drowning is a leading cause of child accidental death. Stay safe with RLSS UK summer tips bit.ly/SummerWaterSafety #STOPDROWNING
Wombourne Lifesavers Group – Children learning about lifesaving at the recent open evening