Teaching children to be lifesavers
Royal Life Saving Society WA is determined to empower all community members to be safe, and we believe firmly in our motto that “Everyone can be a lifesaver!”. We recognise the need for vital lifesaving skills to be understood by all members of our community, including children, however regular first aid and CPR courses may not be suitable for a younger age group.
Recently we developed a new first aid course, specifically designed for children aged 8-14, with a pilot program completed during the April school holidays, while a follow-up course is due to be held in the coming July school holidays at our headquarters in Mount Claremont.
The aim is to enable children to learn vital first aid and CPR skills with others their age, and in an environment suited to their understanding and interests.
Royal Life Saving Society WA Learning Portfolio Manager Kelly Pellow says “First aid knowledge and skills are important for everyone in the community. We are providing children with opportunity to learn CPR and treatment of bleeds, while having fun at the same time.
The pilot course saw 14 children attend, ranging in age from 9 to 13. Trainer Robyn Taylor led them through fun, interactive, hands on activities that taught them skills to assist in an emergency situation anywhere, anytime.
The course covered the areas of emergency response, calling an ambulance, CPR, bandaging for bleeds, and the use and make-up of a first aid kit. The children's response to the course was overwhelmingly positive, with the activities involving fake blood and moulage kits extremely popular!
The upcoming courses in the July School holidays will enable parents to provide their children with a day of entertainment that will also give them vital life skills! Ms Pellow says “It’s a great day filled with activities that will assist kids to learn basic first aid skills and knowledge, and we’d love to see more children take part."
This fun, interactive school holiday program will be held from 8.30am to 5pm on Monday 4th, Wednesday 6th, Friday 8th, Tuesday 12th, Thursday 14th and Friday 15th of July at Royal Life Saving Society WA headquarters McGillivray Road Mount Claremont.
To enrol your child in one of these days click the link below.
