Bayswater residents jump into Aqua Skills course

Bayswater locals recently dived at the chance to improve their water safety knowledge, booking out Royal Life Saving WA’s Aqua Skills 55+ program.  

Royal Life Saving, in partnership with Bayswater Waves, has been holding the weekly sessions every Thursday throughout October, with community members aged between 57 and 72 taking part. 

The four-day course covers skills to deal with emergency situations, personal survival techniques and ensures a thorough understanding of water safety knowledge to reduce the likelihood of drowning. 

Thanks to funding from the Department of Health, the course is free for residents aged 55 and over and is open to all levels of experience around water. 

According to Royal Life Saving data, almost half of those who drowned in Australia in 2019-20 were aged 45 and over. Programs like Aqua Skills 55+ are particularly important given our ageing population will likely see this figure continue to increase in the years to come. 

Royal Life Saving Program Coordinator, Jen Mickle, says often a friend, family member or neighbour is the first person at the scene of an emergency.  

“If this was you, could you provide lifesaving assistance until emergency help arrives?” she asked. 

“Having the skills and confidence to respond in an emergency could mean the difference between life and death.” 

Royal Life Saving continues to deliver Aqua Skills across WA with more courses starting in November in both Armadale and Wanneroo.  

To register and become equipped with lifesaving knowledge, visit the link below.