Korat kids learn water safety amid concerns over high drowning rate

By The Nation

 

Photo from: Twitter @Hook31_Thailand

 

Schoolchildren in Nakhon Ratchasima were being coached on water safety on Tuesday morning, a private foundation’s bid to curb the high rate of drownings in the northeastern province.

 

Almost 100 Nakhon Ratchasima youngsters have drowned in the past three years, 20 during the most recent school break alone.

 

 

Members of the scuba diving unit of a foundation called Hook 31 Korat were at Assumption Nakhon Ratchasima School on Tuesday and are prepared the do more training elsewhere.

 

Chatchai Sriwisorn, chief of the unit, said about 40 members would cooperate with communities and local administrations to teach kids swimming basics, including survival techniques.

 

The training focuses on being able to tread water and stay afloat until help arrives.

 

The children are taught how to throw a rope to someone in distress and pull them to safety, rather than taking the risk of diving in themselves.

 

The Nakhon Ratchasima Public Health Office says 93 children drowned in the province during the past three years – 32 in 2015, 41 in 2016 and 20 in 2017. Thirteen have drowned thus far this year.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30340815

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-13

This program should be the model that is promoted nation-wide.  Everyone should know how to swim.