Lifesaving courses for landlocked swimmers
DOWNS Little Lifeguards is an award-winning drowning prevention program for children aged nine to 17 years, focusing on specific dangers in dams, creeks, weirs and inland waterways.
It teaches swimmers about hidden dangers and survival strategies, and has run annually since 2014.
DLL president Shayne Baker said it was not a learn-to-swim course but an important program geared towards building confidence in the water, similar to what a defensive driving course does for motorists.
“Swim schools have got a different agenda (and) they do do water safety,” Dr Baker said.
“(DLL) is a different focus. Being able to swim is obviously a fundamental life skill and what we try and do with this is get the kids to be challenged in different ways, and think about things that are every day.”
He said the deaths of two people in Far North Queensland on Australia Day was a reminder of the importance of water safety around inland water ways.
The DLL runs two programs focusing on beach survival swimming methods, and recognising dangers at inland waterways such as dams.
Visit tr.qld.gov.au for details.