Drowning Prevention Auckland has launched a new eLearning module for adults which aims to address the gap between perception and reality when it comes to water competency. The objective is to help the higher risk group of older adults stay safe by improving their competence, skills and understanding through effective preparation.
The ‘Water Safety for Adults’ component is available online to anyone in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is completely free as part of the DPA eLearning platform. The module covers how to assess personal competence in and around water and gives important tips and information about how to be safer when participating in water-based activities, particularly in open water environments.
Research findings show that adults perceive that they are more competent in water than they actually are, especially in open water. This gap between perception and reality leads to an increased risk of drowning. This comes from doctoral research completed by Teresa Stanley earlier this year. “The problem isn’t that people can’t swim or float, but they can’t swim or float as well as they think they can in open water” states Stanley.
“We are thrilled to be expanding our eLearning platform to be relevant and accessible to those that need to learn and grow their water competency the most. The more we can do to grow knowledge that changes attitudes and behaviours, the safer our community will be recreating in, on and around the water” says Nicola Keen-Biggelaar, Chief Executive of Drowning Prevention Auckland.
“We’d like to thank The Lion Foundation for their support in developing this module, particularly given some of the constraints we have as a society in educating face-to-face.”
If you, or someone you love, is planning to participate in open water activities such as boating, swimming, kayaking, paddling, surfing, or snorkelling this summer, take some time to complete this module.
