News by Phuket Andaman Villas

Phuket Lifeguard Club, Laguna Phuket and Cherng Talay Municipality proposing a new project to save Phuket children from drowning. They planned to teach Phuket youth in Thalang District in identifying dangerous swimming condition and learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

It covers two semesters as it will open for all of students in Matthayom 1-3 (aged 12-15) on seven schools in Thalang. The schools are Cherngtalay Wittayakom School, Baan Bang Tao School, Wat Srisoonthorn School, Hongyokbumrung School, Werasatree Anusorn School, Thalang Phranangsrang School and Muang Thalang School. The classes will take half day course for free. The first round covers 22 classes since it will begin on November 25 to February 18.

Second course will hold on first semester 2012 though the exact date have not yet set, said Niyom Tassaneetipagorn, Senior Assistant Vice President, Laguna Resorts & Hotels. Some classes will take school days and others holding on weekend, said him. The training will teach the students how to recognize dangers while they are swimming, swimming in distress, how to escape from strong current, and how to float. “Each class will train 35-70 students in Laguna Beach, Cherng Talay Municipal Pool and at the Thanyapura sports complex,” said Mr Niyom.

Ministry of Public Health stated each year 1,500 children are drowning in Thailand. Though the death number is decreasing, there are three deaths in 2008, four in 2007 and six in 2006. “We are sad about it and we encouraging parents to be aware of this problem. In the other side their children should learn survival skills in the water. There are 2,612 students who can follow this course and we expect them all to join,” said Mr. Niyom. “It is not about swimming lesson but survival skills. We will teach them how to identify safe location to swim, life guard beach flags meaning, first aid and CPR, and how they can assist drowning person,” said him. Phuket itself has sadly recording long drowning victims.

News by Phuket Gazette