Life-saving lessons about the sea for Mthyobo Primary School pupils
NSRI volunteers teach young children how to stay safe
When Mthyobo Primary School’s Foundation Phase pupils enjoyed a school outing to the beach, National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) volunteers took the opportunity to take the children through their water safety education programme.
About 300 pupils from Grade R to 3, accompanied by their teachers and some parents, were thrilled to spend a morning at the beach on Thursday April 4, for the school’s annual Beach Walk.
Their day started with a walk from West Beach, where they were dropped off, to Kelly’s Beach.
After a snack and some play time on the sand, the children were divided among four “education stations”.
Each was focused on a letter of the programme’s starting point: “PLAN”.
It emphasises the importance of planning before going swimming, with P standing for “prepare/ pack”, L for ”look”, A for “ask”, and N for “never”.
The children rotated among the four stations, having lots of fun while doing activities that helped them understand why planning is so important for everyone’s safety.
NSRI volunteers Carol Mewse and Carey Webster started running Survival Swimming pop-up classes in Kentonon-Sea and Port Alfred ahead of (and during) the 2023/24 holiday season.
This year, the duo conducted their first water safety education session at Ekuphumleni Full Service School.
They aim to reach many more schools along the Sunshine Coast throughout the year.
This was the first time they conducted the programme at the beach, and Mewse said it had been very successful.
“We were approached by Mthyobo Primary School to discuss ways that we could incorporate the NSRI Water Safety Programme into their annual Beach Walk day.
“We met with the school and presented our Survival Swimming Programme and Water Safety Education programme to the educators,” Mewse said.
“It was decided that because this
was not a swim day, we would only present the water safety section.”
Webster, who runs team-building and activity group sessions in her personal capacity as owner of Outdoor Focus, transformed the WSE programme from a classroom-based to an activity-based programme.
The NSRI team focused on the “PLAN” and set up stations that could provide a more interactive and activitybased
learning style. Mewse explained: “P = Pack. Learners were taken through what to pack for a day at the beach/ pool/river and included things like sunscreen [which many knew nothing about].
“We also included things that should not be packed, for example alcohol and glass items.
“We discussed the dangers of drinking and swimming, as well as why glass should not be taken to the beach,” Mewse said.
“L = Look – look for hazards. “Kids were asked to find and run to various signs and safety equipment on the beach.
“For example at West beach, the NO Swimming sign, the pink buoys and NSRI Emergency telephone numbers.
“At Kelly’s, they were asked to run between the swimming flags to reiterate where it was safe to swim.
“We also discussed currents, rocks, sudden drop offs, amd so on.
“A = Ask – Always ask an adult if you can go swimming.
“Ask them to come with you and to watch while you swim. Ask an adult to call 112 in an emergency.
“N = Never. We went through all the nevers when swimming.
“Never swim alone, never swim in heavy/bulky clothing, never drink and swim, and so on,” Mewse said.
The fourth station was a “rescue station” where the children learnt and practised how to rescue someone who may be in trouble in the water.
This includes reaching to them with a stick, towel, and so on, or throwing them a floatation aid such as a bottle or soccer ball. They were also shown how to create a “throw bottle” and were given an opportunity to practise throwing it and rescuing someone.
The NSRI has developed a range of programmes and resources as part of its Drowning Prevention Programme, all in line with international best practice.
To find out more, or to support the NSRI’s work through donations or volunteering, visit its website: www.nsri.org.za/water-safety/ - Water Safety Education; Pink Rescue Buoys, Survival Swimming and Free Safety Guides and Resources.