Mandurah SES Cadets become River Ready
14 cadets from the Mandurah SES Cadet program recently completed Royal Life Saving WA’s inland waterway safety program, River Ready, in a day of fun and challenges at Serpentine Dam. The activities at the dam completed the water component of the program, which followed the theory component the cadets covered in their training nights during Term 1.
The Mandurah SES Cadet program trains youth aged 12 to 17 in first aid and emergency skills to assist adult SES volunteers during call out operations. During storm and fire emergencies, cadets assist with the set up of lighting towers, generators, radio communications, sandbagging and other equipment. As the cadets experience a variety of conditions and locations while assisting the SES, they are trained and assessed for various levels of first aid, resuscitation and swimming ability.
The cadets began by learning the theory components of the course which included resuscitation and basic first aid. 14 of the cadets then attended an end-of-term camp at Manjedal Activity Centre where they successfully completed the water component of the course.
Cadets spent five hours in the dam performing competency swims, survival sequences and various towing techniques and rescues – using anything from ropes to sticks they found in the bush. Two cadets were also able to complete their Bronze Medallion, with timed tows, search patterns and recover and resus all completed in the dam!
Royal Life Saving WA Aquatic and Resuscitation Trainer, Cathie Calleja, put the cadets through their paces as she led them through the water activities. “The cadets are a diverse group from various backgrounds displaying varied levels of skill sets. As instructors, we strive to upskill them at appropriate levels, so personal growth and a sense of achievement is something they can be very proud of,” she says.
Congratulations to all the young cadets who completed the course for a job well done!
This program is conducted as part of Royal Life Saving’s Respect the River campaign, which is funded by the Federal Government. This drowning prevention initiative is helping to ensure all Australian’s can enjoy inland waterways safely.
To learn more about Respect the River please follow the link below:
