This morning we welcomed Rosie from Water Safety Ireland to our school to talk to the children about water safety especially at this time of the year.
Rosie talked about being safe around all bodies of water, beach/sea, rivers and lakes.
Rosie discussed the word SAFE with the children and what this means for all of us:
S: Stay
A: Away
F: From the
E: Edge
Rosie demonstrated for the children what she meant by staying away from the edge - and reminded them about the importance of taking two steps away from the edge of any body of water.
Rosie spoke with the children about what they should do if it ever happened that they fell into water, especially in their clothes. She gave the following guidance:
STARFISH: Make your body into a starfish shape:
1.Lie on your back;
2. Push your tummy upwards;
3. Eyes open and looking up;
4. Ears in the water;
5. Shout HELP;
Rosie also discussed the different colour flags we see at beaches and what they mean:
- Red & Yellow flag: It is safe to swim between the two flags and there are lifeguards on duty;
- Red flag: Not safe to swim, no lifeguard on duty;
- Black and white chequered flag: this beach is not safe for swimming, you can only surf here;
Following on from this Rosie discovered the various colour swimsuits we have and how visible the various colours are in the water, bright colours are best and easiest to be seen.
Rosie talked to the children about the importance of wearing a life jacket and how to fit it, zip it, tighten it, tie it etc. Rosie emphasised the most important point about wearing the correct size lifejacket as she demonstrated what would happen if water if the lifejacket was too big, it would simple lift off when the water would get in around and under it.
For the senior classes she added a section about life bouys and what to do in the event of someone needing help. She demonstrated how to throw them into the water and use them correctly. All children had an opprtunity to do the same. She also discussed rip currents and what this meant.
Finally Rosie discussed with the children what we should do in an emergency, the numbers we should phone if we need help - 112/999, and how to use a phone in an emergency, reminding the children that we don't need a pin to dial 112/999.
We thoroughly our session with Rosie this morning. It was extremely informative.
