PHUKET: Headstart International School Phuket and the Phuket Lifeguard Club recently completed the trialling of a Lifesaving Education program.
The club plans to deliver the program to all Year 7 students across the province. The program was originally developed by Surf Life Saving Australia then adapted to suit local conditions.
The program at Headstart International School was delivered in English by Thai trainers under the guidance of Anthony Bradstreet, SLSA's Community Education Coordinator.
A Thai language version is now being prepared by the Lifeguard Club for use when Thai schools resume in May.
The project's coordinator in Phuket, Ms Jayne MacDougall, said Headstart's assistance in the trial phase was invaluable.
''At Headstart the school provided a range of secondary classes to undertake the 50 minute introductory course for the trial - student feedback and input from the Thai trainers has enabled the course to be better focused on local beach conditions,'' Ms MacDougall said.
Head of the Secondary School, Mark Goodman, said the program fitted with the schools philosophy of providing real life knowledge and skills for their students and they were happy to host the trial.
The first part of the course is knowledge based and helps the students understand how to use the beach safely. For example, an interactive part of the course teaches students how to identify rip currents - the leading cause of surf-related drowning in Phuket - particularly during the low season.
The second stage of the course will involve practical water safety and lifesaving skills. Even if schools only decide to book in for the knowledge session, their students will learn valuable skills that could save a life.
This course provides knowledge and information to the students and encourages safe swimming practices like always swimming between the red and yellow safe swimming flags and working with the Lifeguards to maximise swimmer safety.
To further support beach safety the Lifeguard Club is holding regular practical water safety sessions at Nai Harn and Nai Yang beaches for students with plans to extend these activities to other beaches.
Already a day has been held at Kata where 40 students from Karon Municipality accessed the equipment provided under the Lifeguard Clubs Education Trailer - funded through the Australian Government to assist the Lifeguard Club with its education initiatives.
For further information on the project and how to become involved contact Jayne MacDougall: jayneymac@yahoo.com.au
The club plans to deliver the program to all Year 7 students across the province. The program was originally developed by Surf Life Saving Australia then adapted to suit local conditions.
The program at Headstart International School was delivered in English by Thai trainers under the guidance of Anthony Bradstreet, SLSA's Community Education Coordinator.
A Thai language version is now being prepared by the Lifeguard Club for use when Thai schools resume in May.
The project's coordinator in Phuket, Ms Jayne MacDougall, said Headstart's assistance in the trial phase was invaluable.
''At Headstart the school provided a range of secondary classes to undertake the 50 minute introductory course for the trial - student feedback and input from the Thai trainers has enabled the course to be better focused on local beach conditions,'' Ms MacDougall said.
Head of the Secondary School, Mark Goodman, said the program fitted with the schools philosophy of providing real life knowledge and skills for their students and they were happy to host the trial.
The first part of the course is knowledge based and helps the students understand how to use the beach safely. For example, an interactive part of the course teaches students how to identify rip currents - the leading cause of surf-related drowning in Phuket - particularly during the low season.
The second stage of the course will involve practical water safety and lifesaving skills. Even if schools only decide to book in for the knowledge session, their students will learn valuable skills that could save a life.
This course provides knowledge and information to the students and encourages safe swimming practices like always swimming between the red and yellow safe swimming flags and working with the Lifeguards to maximise swimmer safety.
To further support beach safety the Lifeguard Club is holding regular practical water safety sessions at Nai Harn and Nai Yang beaches for students with plans to extend these activities to other beaches.
Already a day has been held at Kata where 40 students from Karon Municipality accessed the equipment provided under the Lifeguard Clubs Education Trailer - funded through the Australian Government to assist the Lifeguard Club with its education initiatives.
For further information on the project and how to become involved contact Jayne MacDougall: jayneymac@yahoo.com.au
