China reportedly has one of the highest drowning rates in the world, so the Red Cross Society of China has been taking action to reduce it. And, during the past couple of weeks, a Canadian Red Cross team had the chance to be part of that action.
Swimming and Water Safety Master Instructor Trainers Anne Porteous, Paula Thulin, and Kevin Paes, along with Mindy Chiang from International Operations, and Kimberley Nemrava, Director for B.C. and Yukon, traveled to Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, to exchange water safety knowledge, skills and techniques with the Zhoushan Red Cross, local Lifesaving Society and government officials so together they could help save more lives.
The team trained 25 teachers on Canadian Swimming and Water Safety methods, provided another 50 teachers with water safety classroom education techniques, and shared public education ideas and resources that will be aimed at fishing villages.
The Canadian team felt the trainings were hugely successful and found the children and adults incredibly high-spirited, energetic, and enthusiastic about the training.
The Canadian Red Cross and the Chinese Red Cross are building on an established relationship to exchange technical knowledge on disaster management and safety. The Water Safety Training program was first piloted in Xiamen, Fujian Province and received the Canadian Red Cross Excellence in Programs award in June 2012.
When the Canadian Red Cross began its water safety programs in 1946, 8 of every 100,000 Canadians were victims of drowning. Today, drowning claims the lives of fewer than 1.3 Canadians per 100,000.
Great to make such a splash to help reduce the number of tragedies every year!