Kiama Leisure Centre is encouraging older residents to take advantage of the Grey Medallion program which starts Tuesday, May 23 at 1pm.
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Swim Instructor Honnie Coffee said Grey Medallion was a free water safety and lifesavings skills program for older adults, developed by the Royal Lifesaving Society.
“The Grey Medallion Program can help you develop the skills you need to safely enjoy the wide range of aquatic recreation activities available nowadays,” Ms Coffee said.
“It’s a practical six-week program that teaches personal survival techniques, improved swimming skills and how to deal with emergency situations.
“It also gives you a thorough understanding of water safety knowledge which will also reduce the likelihood of drowning.”
Older Australians (those aged 65 and over) make up a large proportion of the drowning statistics in Australia and as the population is ageing this continues to increase.
According to the Royal Life Saving Society, 58 people aged 65 years and over drowned in 2016, which was 21 per cent of total drownings.
The Grey Medallion Program involves four parts:
Water Safety Knowledge - including Australian drowning statistics, identifying hazards in aquatic locations, safe practices for aquatic activities, drowning awareness campaigns and your role in drowning prevention.
Resuscitation and Emergency Care – including recognising an emergency, understanding resuscitation and when it's required, DRSABCD action plan and aftercare.
Aquatic Exercise – including water movement skills, gentle exercise, correct swimming techniques and exercises to improve endurance and fitness.
Personal Survival and Lifesaving Skills – including entries and exits, survival techniques and strategies, rescue principles and non-swimming rescues.
To register for the Grey Medallion Program, simply call the Kiama Leisure Centre on (02) 4232 1877. Participants must be 60 years of age or older