CHILDREN are taking lessons in water safety and drowning prevention to equip them with essential swimming skills needed to minimise dangerous incidents.
The Ripple Effect is a hands-on training scheme offered to pupils by the City of Belfast Swimming Club.
It supports the UK drowning prevention strategy, which aims to reduce fatalities by 50 per cent by 2026.
It is piloted with Elmgrove PS in east Belfast and includes classroom and poolside lessons taking place at Avoniel Leisure Centre.
Designed to remove barriers to water safety including socio-economic burdens, the initiative is supported by Hope for Youth NI which endeavours to provide funding for cross community activities for young people.
Children first participate in classroom and pool lessons led by coaches, which include water safety presentations, practical floating techniques and life-saving activities.
Stage two involves transforming children into mini lifeguards by teaching them survival, rescue and sports skills.
The final phase of the year-long programme is an end of season cross-community event that will celebrate and award each child's achievement.
Elmgrove teacher Hannah English said pupils were thrilled to be the first to trial The Ripple Effect.
"After taking part in the programme's initial classroom and poolside lessons, we have had great feedback from the pupils regarding their understanding of the coach's key messages and have noticed a surge in their confidence in the swimming pool," she said.
"The Ripple Effect has particular importance for our pupils because of the current regeneration work being carried out in Avoniel Park, which is making the Connswater River more visible. A number of pupils that walk to school walk past the river on their way to school so it is great that they are being given first-hand knowledge about water safety and lifesaving skills which is giving them the important tools to show responsibility around water."
