School administrators discussed water safety training plans
In a bid to ensure the safety of children during the summer months, a roundtable discussion titled "Safe Summer" was held on July 3rd at the headquarters of public support, initiated by the United Russia party. The topic of training children in safe water behavior was a key focus of the discussion.
One school leading the way in this initiative is the Novokruchinskaya Secondary School No. 1, where many children have learned to swim thanks to regular trips to the pool throughout the school year. In September, the school holds a safety school, where various safety scenarios related to fires, water objects, and ice behavior are simulated. Preventive talks on water safety are also held with children and their parents.
The importance of water safety education extends beyond just swimming techniques. Children are taught critical water safety rules, such as how to enter and exit water safely, recognizing hazards, and understanding the importance of supervision by adults or lifeguards.
Structured swim lessons are at the heart of these water safety training programs. Teaching children basic swimming skills such as floating, breath control, and moving independently in water is foundational. Classes often progress from beginner to more advanced levels, introducing front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, and important water survival skills such as treading water and retrieving objects underwater.
Parental participation and qualified instructors ensure children learn in a safe, supportive environment. Training programs often require certified instructors who have competencies in rescue skills, first aid, and CPR to quickly respond in emergencies.
Regular practice and progression are crucial elements of these swim lessons. Swim lessons are typically structured over multiple sessions to build confidence and competence gradually. Continuous assessment and class progression ensure children master skills before advancing.
Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs), swim goggles, swimming pools and aquatic centers, and training aids are essential equipment used in water safety training. PFDs like life jackets are essential safety gear for beginners and non-swimmers during lessons or supervised practice. Swim goggles help children with underwater visibility and comfort, assisting in learning techniques such as blowing bubbles and breath control.
While specific details on Russian schools’ practices were not directly available, Russia traditionally emphasizes physical education, including swimming, from an early age. Russian schools likely employ qualified swim instructors and follow a curriculum that aligns with water safety and swimming proficiency standards. Equipment such as life jackets, goggles, and pool safety gear would be standard.
Considering Russia's extensive water bodies and seasonal pools, schools might emphasize safety awareness and rescue skills adapted to local environments. Valentina Manikovskaya, the director of the Novokruchinskaya Secondary School No. 1, shared her experience, stressing the importance of this work being done with the help of specialists and equipment, not just through videos or textbooks.
Other roundtable participants stressed the importance of teaching safe behavior to children and teenagers in various situations, not just water. Valentina Zagrevskaya, the director of the New Kuka school, shared her experience in teaching teenagers water safety, emphasizing the need for practical, hands-on training.
These practices align with global efforts such as the American Red Cross and international water safety initiatives, which emphasize that learning to swim and water safety can significantly reduce childhood drowning risks.
- Enhancing personal growth and promoting learning, the Novokruchinskaya Secondary School No. 1 focuses on education-and-self-development by offering water safety training to children, incorporating both theoretical and practical lessons.
- Beyond teaching swimming techniques, these programs extend to personal-growth and learning opportunities by instilling critical water safety rules, fostering essential life skills, and ensuring safe, supportive environments for children.
