Spreading the word in the Indian community

Royal Life Saving recently had the opportunity to be interviewed on Radio Garam Masala, to promote key water safety messages to the Indian community in WA. The station is Perth's only 24 hour online radio station, and broadcasts Hindi music targeting those from the Indian sub-continent.

During the recent interview Royal Life Saving WA’s Senior Manager Swimming and Water Safety Education, Trent Hotchkin, spoke about the tragic consequences of drowning in the CaLD community, with 34% of people who drowned in WA during 2015-16 born overseas.

Royal Life Saving is working to address these statistics, by breaking down barriers to participation in swimming and water safety education for those from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) communities which in turn will reduce their risk of drowning. We’re providing opportunities for these communities through our Access & Equity program, running women’s and men’s only swimming lessons, children’s lessons, Heart Beat Club first aid training sessions and water safety talks.

Thanks to our key supporter, the Office of Multicultural Interests, RLSSWA has been able to create awareness amongst these communities, running 55 Access and Equity programs across WA during the 2016-17 financial year with over 1000 participants taking part!

Royal Life Saving would also like to thank Kash Bajaria and Sundeep Kale from Radio Garam Masala for being key advocates in promoting our programs to the Indian community. Their ongoing support is making a real difference in spreading our water safety and drowning prevention messages throughout their community.

Royal Life Saving WA looks forward to continuing to expand our Access and Equity programming in the coming years as we work to reduce the impact of drowning in CaLD communities across WA. For more information on our Swim and Survive Access and Equity program and how you can take part click the link below.