Pool safety training conducted for schools
We attend a lot of incidents where a child has been injured in a pool.
In light of the recent festive season fatalities and near-fatalities that occurred on local beaches and in pools, pool safety and water rescue was in the spotlight when Kingsway paramedic, Chris Botha hosted a schools first aid training on Wednesday afternoon, 7 February.
The invitation was extended to Amanzimtoti schools but unfortunately none of them participated, except Kingsway. “It was a pity they lost out on the experience,” said Chris.
The training was for teachers and first aiders to raise awareness of spinal injuries which can occur in swimming pools. Three aspects were focused on – taking someone out of a pool and immobilising them fully without inflicting further damage; proper CPR; and for someone who cannot swim, using a lifebuoy to rescue someone in trouble.
“It went very well, so I was a bit disappointed the other schools didn’t take it up. Children play in the pool all the time and if the worst should happen, it is important to get them out of the pool without inflicting further injury. We attend a lot of incidents where a child has been injured in a pool and by the time we get there, they have already been removed from the pool in an incorrect manner. It is made worse if you don’t know how to do it.”
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Chris was joined by the ER24 water rescue team of Jannes Prinsloo, Leo Fourie and Rajan Archery, who used the training as exercise for their upcoming Dusi Marathon duty.
He has promised the training will be offered again in the near future and urges all swimming coaches, teachers and first aiders to attend. Details will be published in the SUN.
