West Limerick Resources - "Committed to the Community"

Child Safety

Children's Water Safety Project in Askeaton 2011

Sixteen girls and boys successfully completed Level 1 Water Safety training in Askeaton this summer. This initiative was done in conjunction with the County Limerick Local Sports Partnership. The need for the project was identified by the Community Health Workers and staff at Askeaton Pool and Leisure. And the project involved project staff engaging with parents, assessing interest and needs and organising the training.

Eleven parents and their children were asked for their feedback on this project which ran during August 2011. The feedback generally reflected enthusiasm, enjoyment and great learning.  To pass Safety 1 the children did the following successfully:

1. Voice rescue - Talk to a drowning victim and talk them into the side
2. Ring buoy rescue
3. Rope & ring buoy rescue
4. Reaching pole rescue
5. Wading rescue
6. A verbal test on personal water safety and recognising dangerous situations

Based on this project, it is anticipated to support the progression of the children to stage 2. Additionally, a number of under-sevens were disappointed that they could not participate due to being under-age; thus, a second stage 1 is to be considered.

Updated March 2012