This year alone, at least three children drowned during school excursions. Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death among children in the country. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has reported that children under 14 years old account for about 29% of all drowning fatalities in South Africa. Protecting children from drowning takes a collective effort and stringent measures to ensure their safety.

Ockert Fourie from SafetyWallet, a health and safety behaviour company says all educators are required to have first aid training as per their teaching courses. This is especially important for teachers who work in primary schools and more so for physical education teachers or sport coaches. 

“When you complete your teaching degree, there is an oath that you have to take and the oath says that you will stand in the place of the parents in their absence. In any other activities which are related to the school such as field trips or excursions, you still have that responsibility as an educator,” says Fourie. 

He recommends that every single school have a health and safety risk assessment done, ensuring that all tasks and activities are analysed. But not all schools carry out these procedures. Fourie says one way to ensure a safe and secure learning environment in schools is through regular health and safety audits. These audits play a crucial role in identifying potential hazards, assessing compliance with regulations, and implementing necessary improvements.

According to a 2022 study into drowning deaths in South Africa, between 2016 and 2021, 1477 people drowned per year. Children under four are most at risk of drowning. Gauteng has the third highest drowning numbers in South Africa. According to the NSRI, Johannesburg, Sebokeng, Germiston, and Pretoria are four areas that have some of the highest incidences of drownings per annum.

Denver Ramnarain who is a Coordinator at Lebone College of Emergency Care, which is located in Pretoria, says witnessing someone drowning can be very scary. It can also be difficult to understand how to manage it.

“If you are not trained in swimming, you should not enter the water yourself to try and rescue someone. It would be safer to throw something at them so they can float with it, or a rope or a stick where they can be pulled to safety. If you have training in swimming you can get in the water and rescue them,” Ramnarain explains.

Ramnarain says everyone should take the initiative to go and learn basic first aid or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills because it is a life skill that is just as important as learning how to walk or read. He says in the unfortunate event where a person might get injured or drowns, it is an opportunity to help as it is inherent in every human to want to help another person in need. 

“If you have the available skills you will be able to step up to the plate and assist someone in their time of need and everyone at some point can do something that might save someone’s life,” he says. – Health-e News