Dawul kids River Ready in time for wet season

Dawul Remote Community School students and teachers recently spent a day at the local creek in Doon Doon with Royal Life Saving WA to learn about water safety and practice river rescues.

A popular swimming spot for the small East Kimberley community, which has around 40 adults and 25 children living on the cattle station, the creek was an ideal location for a ‘River Ready’ water safety talk.

Under the guidance of Royal Life Saving’s Remote Pool Manager for Warmun, Steve Waterman, and Swimming Instructor, Aisyah Waterman, eight students put their rescue skills to the test using a variety of methods including noodles, branches, kickboards and ropes for throw rescues.

“It's great the see the Dawul kids refining their rescue skills that they have been practising at the pool.” said Steve.

The Kimberley region has the second highest drowning rate in the state, with people in regional WA almost twice as likely to be involved in drowning incident than those in the metro area.

Royal Life Saving Inland Waterways Coordinator, Jonnine Rowe, comments on the importance of water safety education for at risk communities.

“You can’t see the dangers like snakes and crocodiles, ice cold water, snags like tree branches or strong currents, but they can be lethal,” she said. 

The program is part of Royal Life Saving’s ‘Respect the River’ initiative, funded by the federal government through Royal Life Saving Australia, with a focus on emergency rescues and the many risks within inland waterways, especially during the wet season.

Along with identifying risks in and around the creek, Steve also discussed the ‘Aqua Code’, created by Royal Life Saving to help everyone stay safe in the water. 

The three steps involve always swimming with someone, floating on your back and waving when you’re in trouble, and trying a reach or throw rescue before jumping in the water to help another person. 

Steve acknowledged all the teachers and assistants who took part in the course including Joseph, a Teacher Assistant who’s recently become a qualified Swimming Instructor with Royal Life Saving.

To learn more about the ‘Respect the River’ initiative, visit the link below.