Heart Beat 45 at Marmion Angling and Aquatic Club

It has been a tragic start to summer with eight Western Australians losing their lives to drowning, along with a number of rescues off our coastline, luckily due to quick emergency response tragedy has been avoided.  

Royal Life Saving is predicting this summer will be one of the worst for drowning with over 100 deaths estimated to be recorded nationally by the end of February.  

Jen Mickle, Health Promotion Coordinator at Royal Life Saving WA says that water safety should always be a priority. 

“Whether you are enjoying a swim at your favourite spot, out cruising or casting a line for a day of fishing, safety on the water should always be your top priority. And while many West Aussies have spent a lifetime enjoying the water and know how to stay safe, it’s important to remind them how to stay safe and Make the Right Call when it comes to their safety around water.”  

To help mitigate further drowning related deaths and emergency rescues, Royal Life Saving WA hosted a free community program – Heart Beat 45+.  
Held at the Marmion Angling and Aquatic Club, its members were given the opportunity to attend learning valuable skills when it comes to emergency response including refreshing resuscitation skills because any skills not put into practice every six months is at risk of being forgotten.  

Which is why, it's imperative that everyone has up-to-date resuscitation and first aid skills and knowledge to ensure families, friends and everyone in between stays safe in and around the water.  

Jen Mickle said, “Our research shows that in most aquatic emergency situations, a friend or family member will be the first person on the scene. This means that having aquatic rescue skills and knowing how to respond in an emergency until emergency services arrive could mean the difference between life and death. Unfortunately, many people do not regularly learn first aid and CPR, meaning they may not be able to save a friend or family member in an emergency.''

The Heart Beat 45+, a first in a new partnership with Marmion Angling and Aquatic Club was well received by not only its staff, but also members, understanding the value this type of education can provide, now and in the future.  

James Wilkinson, Club Manager at Marmion Angling and Aquatic Club said, “As Western Australia’s leading Angling and Aquatic Club, the safety of our members in and around the water is paramount.'' 

Marmion Angling and Aquatic Club is in agreement with us that more encouragement for these initiatives is important, so if you want to learn more about Heart Beat 45+, follow the link below.