Malaysian develops world’s first interactive online water safety course
SERI KEMBANGAN: Determined to bring down the number of drowning cases, a Malaysian researcher has developed the world’s first interactive online water safety course.
Skills such as turning a pair of pants into a float are shared, according to Assoc Prof Dr Tengku Fadilah Tengku Kamalden from Universiti Putra Malaysia’s (UPM) Faculty of Educational Studies.
“You don’t need to have a pool or to know how to swim to be water safe.
“Even a good swimmer can drown but someone who knows how to float will survive,” she said.
Speaking at a press conference in UPM yesterday, the former national swimmer said she was shocked at the country’s record of 600 drowning cases yearly.
Most drowning victims are boys below 16, an age group that is tech-savvy, so a course that is offered through the Internet came to mind.
“Water safety is about being safe in and around water.
“The course helps you understand water risks, and teaches you basic water rescue techniques and how to respond in water emergencies,” she said.
Working with fellow researcher Dr Teng Siew Lian and the Life Saving Society Malaysia, Dr Tengku Fadilah took a year to develop the course.
She said their aim was to reach out to as many people as possible – not just locally, but around the world. While the course is currently available in English and Bahasa Malaysia, plans are under way to offer it in other languages, she added.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan, who was present to witness a signing ceremony between UPM Innovations and OpenLearning Global to commercialise the course, urged teachers to get certified.
He said water safety is a crucial skill as many school activities and excursions involve water.
“Most developed countries have made it compulsory for students to be able to swim and be water safe. It’s time we do the same.”
The course, which has four modules, can be completed in three days at keselamatanair. com.my. The RM80 course fee includes a certificate from UPM and OpenLearning Global.