They are therefore ideally equipped for carefree days in the water - and at the same time send out a strong signal in favour of prevention.
Swimming protects - and saves lives
"Swimming lessons from an early age help to save lives," says Upper Austria. Red Cross President Dipl.-Päd. Gottfried Hirz. Tragic swimming accidents that occur time and time again show that this is more than just a motto. The reality: according to studies, around one in five young people between the ages of 9 and 19 cannot swim or can only swim poorly. This makes early and high-quality swimming training all the more important - as the Red Cross Youth has been promoting in Upper Austria for years.
Practice early - playfully safe in the water
The Upper Austria. Youth Red Cross accompanies children from kindergarten age onwards: With the "ROKO in kindergarten" programme, the youngest children are introduced to safe behaviour in and around water in a playful way. In primary school, the programme continues with programmes such as "Our class swims" and the popular "Penguin Cup", which has been inspiring children to swim for over 30 years.
Swimming badges and lifeguards - a strong duo
In the last school year, not only did over 18,000 children acquire a swimming badge - around 1,100 people also completed lifeguard training. "Children from the age of five have the necessary motor skills to swim," explains Michael Heilbrunner, regional swimming officer at the Upper Austrian Youth Red Cross. Youth Red Cross. At the same time, he warns:
"Just 5 to 10 cm of water can be life-threatening for small children - that's why safety is our top priority."
When it comes down to it: first aid counts
Even if an emergency occurs despite all precautions, every second counts. First aid courses, such as those regularly offered by the OÖ. Red Cross regularly offers, provide vital knowledge for emergencies. Because if you know what to do, you can save lives. Further information and courses in your area can be found at www.erstehilfe.at.
#schongenial when children who learn to swim today go through life with confidence tomorrow - and perhaps even become lifesavers in an emergency.
