For those living in Western Australia, where daily temperatures are frequently between 20-30C, having a swimming pool nearby is essential. A pool is also a very valuable asset that bring about positive change in people’s lives, strengthening overall community wellbeing.
However, in remote communities where cultural aspects can impact water safety, lives can often be at risk, with aboriginal children being overrepresented in Australian drowning rates by two and half times that of other children.
The ‘Remote Pools Project’ is a program established by the Royal Life Saving Society WA in 1999 which aims to deliver a range of swimming and water programs to empower remote Aboriginal communities and promote sustainable change.
Water safety and drowning prevention are subjects close to our hearts here at the Ruth Lee. From joining the Royal Life Saving Society UK as a Water Safety Partner to support lifeguards through training, including during the COVID pandemic in 2020, to supplying 20 adult Pool Rescue Manikins for low-income countries through a joint project with the International Life Saving Federation, we’re committed to supporting life-savers worldwide and empowering rescuers with the tools that they need to save more lives.
Recently, we extended our support right to the other side of the world, working with LifeTec, our distributors in Australia to supply a Pool Rescue manikin to the Remote Pools Project in Western Australia.
On receiving the donation, Remote Pool Manager Stephen Waterman said:
“I’m blown away! This manikin is going to make a huge difference to the way we train”
The Pool Rescue manikin has been transforming the way Lifeguards train around the world for the last 5 years, and we’re thrilled we can now extend this support to children learning to swim in remote WA.
Further information on this manikin can be found here.