Last week, six senior lifeguard trainers from Phuket beaches and resorts joined with Anthony Bradstreet, the Community Education Manager from SLSA to adapt the successful Australian surf safety programme “SURF ED” to local Phuket conditions.
This programme is one of a series of initiatives from the new Phuket Lifesaving Education Unit. The programme's coordinator in Phuket said the programs objective was to provide a sustainable programme with Thai people having ownership of the water safety initiatives. The Phuket Lifeguard Club has had a long association with Surf Life Saving in Australia and this program is the latest step in that partnership.
Phuket Lifesaving Education Unit project manager Jayne MacDougall proposed the programme be developed to educate school students about how to enjoy the ocean safely. An adult education programme is also being developed.
The Lifeguard Club will have six professional and volunteer trainers who will visit schools and teach a three level water safety programme. The aim is to reach every school in Phuket over the next 12 months and for the programme to become a regular part of the curriculum.
The programme will be launched at a well known international school in Phuket with the Thai trainers delivering the course under supervision from the Australian trainers. Thai trainers will then roll the programme out across the island at schools interested in participating.
A statement released by the Phuket Lifesaving Education Unit says, “ignorance of dangerous conditions and a lack of water safety knowledge are both key factors that contribute to drowning.”
“This programme will equip students with the knowledge to minimise risk to themselves and to others in the ocean. With the dedicated trainers from PLC and the equipment and resources contained in the Phuket Lifesaving Education Unit, a locally produced trailer fully stocked with lifesaving education resources, the team have developed a very impressive mobile teaching resource.”
Anthony Bradstreet believes the Lifesaving Education Unit will be very popular with students.
“I am also very impressed with the skills of the PLC trainers; they are very knowledgeable and skilled lifeguards who have a passion for drowning prevention and lifesaving education”.
The Australia-Thailand Institute and Australian Sports Outreach Program have funded the project’s start-up costs, but it will now be up to local people to get behind the project and support it. Anyone interested in supporting this project should contact Jayne MacDougall on jayneymac@yahoo.com.au