Local swimming coach Dominique Donner aims to make Umhlali the first totally water safe community in South Africa.
In her role as project manager for the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, Donner is facilitating a water safety awareness programme at Umhlali Preparatory School.
Together with instructors James Elliot and Ross Cairns from the Sink or Swim Lifeguard Academy, they share water safety knowledge with all 17 classes, involving nearly 500 pupils.
“The main mission of the foundation is to prevent drowning. The programme begins with an introduction to what it means to save a life, an insight to lifeguarding and how just being aware of water safety can save lives,” said Donner.
Pupils are taught about ocean currents, safe beach bathing and pool safety.
“We take pupils through the skills of reviving a near-drowning patient by performing hands only CPR and vomit drill and get them to take part in a mock rescue to test their skills.”
Donner said the programme is beneficial to the North Coast, which is characterised by its beaches.
The initiative will move to Curro Mt Richmore in June, following which other schools will be involved.
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