Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Unleash your potential… ride the waves of employment with us!

The DPA team was amongst the thousands at the ASB PolyFest over the past week, playing a support role for the Wai ora Tāmaki Makaurau promotional booth, addressing the employment journeys within the aquatic sector. The message was: “Unleash your potential… ride the waves of employment with us!

Over the past ten years, one third of those who drown in our Auckland region are Māori and Pacific young people yet very few Māori or Pacific peoples are employed in the aquatic sector, limiting the design, direction, and delivery of successful water safety initiatives.

Using a basketball activity with the primary message displayed on the backboard, and a booth highlighting career pathways, QR quotes for further information, and a collection of safety items displayed (see photos), this message was shared with youth and whānau over the four days.

Youth touch points: It was estimated over 900 youth and whānau were engaged per day (based on the average of 1 successful shooter to 5 non-successful shooters) totalling approximately 3,600 youth and family members.

Networking touch points: Seven co-exhibitors showed interest in discussing future partnerships to support youth and employment opportunities.

WOTM Stakeholder engagement: Financial contributions were received from DPA, Surf Life Saving NZ (SLSNZ) and Fyfod; Prize pack contributions from Swimsation, SLSNZ, CLM, Auckland Council, Vector Wero and Maritime NZ; and people power contributions for the booth roster included: DPA, Auckland Council, Coastguard Boating Education, SLSN, SafeKids, and MassSport.

Other news

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Unleash your potential... ride the waves of employment with us! The DPA team was amongst the thousands at the ASB PolyFest over the past week, playing a support role for the Wai ora Tāmaki Makaurau promotional booth, addressing the employment journeys within the...

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Navigating Towards Safer Waters: Push for changes to Auckland's Lifejacket Bylaw In the past quarter, we have been advocating for a crucial update to Auckland's Navigational Bylaw. Currently, skippers of vessels under 6 metres have the choice of whether those on board...

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

'Have a hmmm' is a constructive wero (challenge) from ACC to Aotearoa: Take action to avoid injury and keep yourself, your whānau, friends and community safe and well. DPA joined forces with ACC and sector partners to offer expertise for a series of water safety...

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Navigating Towards Safer Waters: Push for changes to Auckland’s Lifejacket Bylaw

In the past quarter, we have been advocating for a crucial update to Auckland’s Navigational Bylaw. Currently, skippers of vessels under 6 metres have the choice of whether those on board wear lifejackets. However, with a staggering 20 out of 29 boating fatalities last year involving individuals not wearing life jackets, and nearly three quarters of those having one available but not being worn, the need for change is evident.

Collaborative Advocacy Efforts:

This push for change stems from the collaborative efforts of Auckland’s Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Strategy, Wai Ora Tāmaki Makaurau (WOTM). The joint initiative, spearheaded by Drowning Prevention Auckland (DPA) and Coastguard NZ, recently resulted in a pivotal meeting with members of the Auckland Council Regulatory Safety Committee. This meeting led to an invitation to present before the full Committee in December 2023.

Accelerated Consideration of Amendment:

The Committee agreed to expedite the consideration of the amendment, moving ahead of the initially scheduled timeline. This proactive stance signals a potential shift in the Auckland Navigational Bylaw that could significantly enhance safety on smaller boats.

National Alignment and Regional Challenges:

The proposed amendment aims to align Auckland’s Navigational Bylaw more closely with Waikato’s, where wearing personal flotation devices (PFDs) is compulsory for vessels under 6 metres when underway. The current lack of consistency in bylaws across the country poses a challenge for small boat users, particularly as they navigate water spaces in neighbouring regions.

Working Groups and Collaborators:

Under the umbrella of Wai Ora Tāmaki Makaurau (WOTM), a dedicated working group consisting of Drowning Prevention Auckland, Coastguard NZ, Water Safety NZ, Tāmaki Makaurau Safety Collective, Fergs Kayaks, SafeKids Aotearoa, SLSNR, and MERC have achieved this outcome with previous efforts by DPA in 2014 and 2019 need to be credited in paving the way.

What’s next?:

Over the next three months, the WOTM working group aims to work with a Council sub-group to finalise the amendment and a ‘community readiness’ programme.

As Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland charts its course towards safer waters, the collective efforts of these organisations promise a positive impact on boating safety and a more consistent regulatory framework nationwide.

Radio Interview

Brownwyn Coers speaks to the Afternoons Show on Radio New Zealand about the journey to change this bylaw.

Wai Ora Tāmaki Makaurau

Click the link to learn more about the group of sector partners collaborating to prevent drowning in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

Other news

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Unleash your potential... ride the waves of employment with us! The DPA team was amongst the thousands at the ASB PolyFest over the past week, playing a support role for the Wai ora Tāmaki Makaurau promotional booth, addressing the employment journeys within the...

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Navigating Towards Safer Waters: Push for changes to Auckland's Lifejacket Bylaw In the past quarter, we have been advocating for a crucial update to Auckland's Navigational Bylaw. Currently, skippers of vessels under 6 metres have the choice of whether those on board...

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

'Have a hmmm' is a constructive wero (challenge) from ACC to Aotearoa: Take action to avoid injury and keep yourself, your whānau, friends and community safe and well. DPA joined forces with ACC and sector partners to offer expertise for a series of water safety...

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

‘Have a hmmm’ is a constructive wero (challenge) from ACC to Aotearoa: Take action to avoid injury and keep yourself, your whānau, friends and community safe and well.

DPA joined forces with ACC and sector partners to offer expertise for a series of water safety videos. Check out the popular water based activities below.

Have a watch, then have a hmmm next time you head out to the water.

Kaimoana fishing off the rocks

Kaimoana snorkelling and diving

Kaimoana fishing from a boat

Surfing

Swimming

Other news

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Unleash your potential... ride the waves of employment with us! The DPA team was amongst the thousands at the ASB PolyFest over the past week, playing a support role for the Wai ora Tāmaki Makaurau promotional booth, addressing the employment journeys within the...

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Navigating Towards Safer Waters: Push for changes to Auckland's Lifejacket Bylaw In the past quarter, we have been advocating for a crucial update to Auckland's Navigational Bylaw. Currently, skippers of vessels under 6 metres have the choice of whether those on board...

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

'Have a hmmm' is a constructive wero (challenge) from ACC to Aotearoa: Take action to avoid injury and keep yourself, your whānau, friends and community safe and well. DPA joined forces with ACC and sector partners to offer expertise for a series of water safety...

Kai Gathering with Te Ara a Hape

Kai Gathering with Te Ara a Hape

The youth group from Makaurau Marae recently completed our Kai Gathering programme which ended on a high with two open water dives at Te Kohuroa/Matheson Bay. The conditions on the day were perfect for the dive with some serious excitement levels!

Prior to reaching the coast they completed six pool sessions that are based on the 15 water competencies for drowning prevention. The students were able to draw on their existing experience from venturing out with whānau and friends to learn the essential skills, behaviours and attitudes that would keep them safe.

These included understanding shallow water blackout – knowing how to recognise if their buddy was in danger and how to respond. It was great to see them communicating with hand signals and working to keep each other safe.

After mastering some of the trickier skills like how to put on their weight belts whilst in the water, and perfecting the diving and surfacing safely, we took them on a snorkel safari! The group moved together on the course, finishing near the rocks where they were able to swim around, looking for any sea life they could find.

Like any water based activity, working in the pool to perfect the necessary competencies is important before heading out into the ocean. This programme not only teaches them the skills and behaviours but changes the attitudes and ability to assess what could go wrong and how they would respond. We know that they will be able to carry out and use everything they learnt when they are next out diving or snorkelling in the future.
Kairo Jacobs

Aquatic Educator

More Kai Gathering information

Click the link to learn more about our kai gathering workshops.

Contact: Harry Aonga – 021 111 8674 [email protected]

Other news

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Unleash your potential... ride the waves of employment with us! The DPA team was amongst the thousands at the ASB PolyFest over the past week, playing a support role for the Wai ora Tāmaki Makaurau promotional booth, addressing the employment journeys within the...

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Navigating Towards Safer Waters: Push for changes to Auckland's Lifejacket Bylaw In the past quarter, we have been advocating for a crucial update to Auckland's Navigational Bylaw. Currently, skippers of vessels under 6 metres have the choice of whether those on board...

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

'Have a hmmm' is a constructive wero (challenge) from ACC to Aotearoa: Take action to avoid injury and keep yourself, your whānau, friends and community safe and well. DPA joined forces with ACC and sector partners to offer expertise for a series of water safety...

Spring Research Forum 2023

WHEN 2pm, Wednesday 22 November
WHERE Ponsonby Cruising Club, 141 – 151 Westhaven Drive, Westhaven, Auckland
RSVP to [email protected] by Thursday 16 November
This year our annual research forum showcases the presentations that will be given at the World Conference on Drowning Prevention in Perth in early December. Our speakers will cover a range of topics focusing on water competency across ages and ethnicities, parents as first teachers of water safety, collaborative leadership and partnerships with councils.

The 29th Annual General Meeting of Water Safe Auckland trading as Drowning Prevention Auckland will take place at 4pm that day at the same venue. Please let us know in your RSVP email if you be join us for the AGM also.

See below for a full list of presenatations.

Presentations

Dr Teresa Stanley

Assisting adults to understand actual water competence

Ants Lowe

Partnering with Councils to Assess Inland Water Hazards

Harry Aonga

Water competence programmes for Asian ethnicities in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland

Nicola Keen-Biggelaar

The role of collaborative leadership in developing meaningful regional water safety and drowning prevention strategies

Lynley Stewart

Parents as First Teachers Preventing Drowning

Dr Kevin Moran

Can you get in safely? Water entry knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours

Other news

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Unleash your potential... ride the waves of employment with us! The DPA team was amongst the thousands at the ASB PolyFest over the past week, playing a support role for the Wai ora Tāmaki Makaurau promotional booth, addressing the employment journeys within the...

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Navigating Towards Safer Waters: Push for changes to Auckland's Lifejacket Bylaw In the past quarter, we have been advocating for a crucial update to Auckland's Navigational Bylaw. Currently, skippers of vessels under 6 metres have the choice of whether those on board...

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

'Have a hmmm' is a constructive wero (challenge) from ACC to Aotearoa: Take action to avoid injury and keep yourself, your whānau, friends and community safe and well. DPA joined forces with ACC and sector partners to offer expertise for a series of water safety...

Wai Wise: Free water safety programme for Indian community

Wai Wise: Free water safety programme for Indian community

Come and try out new water activities and learn how to be safer, in on and around the water.

Wai Wise is a free, half day programme open to the Indian community (aged 15+). Participants will increase knowledge and awareness of the different and unique water environments we are surrounded by in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.

Activities include a lifejacket experience, paddleboarding, kayaking and rafting in a controlled environment at Vector Wero Whitewater Park. The park is a world class tourism destination and the only one of its kind in Aotearoa / New Zealand.

DPA’s evidence-based teaching covers the 15 Water Competencies for Drowning Prevention. These learning outcomes are the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours we teach in all of our programmes to help prevent drowning and make sure everyone comes home safe.

Places are limited with three Saturday sessions running this summer. Be sure to sign up today or get in touch with any questions.

Key learnings

  • Understanding survival positions in lifejackets for a survival situation
  • Preparation, knowledge and understanding around open water (weather, wind, swell)
  • Paddling competence and technique
  • Safe entries and exits from land and boat

Dates

2 December 2023 – 9.30am – 1.15pm
17 February 2024 – 9.30am – 1.15pm
16 March 2024 – 9.30am – 1.15pm

Location

Vector Wero Whitewater Park

Sign up for Wai Wise

The free programme is open to the Indian community aged 15+ and is suitable for beginners.

Contact: Harry Aonga – 021 111 8674 [email protected]

Funded by Tū Manawa / Sport New Zealand.

Other news

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Unleash your potential... ride the waves of employment with us! The DPA team was amongst the thousands at the ASB PolyFest over the past week, playing a support role for the Wai ora Tāmaki Makaurau promotional booth, addressing the employment journeys within the...

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Navigating Towards Safer Waters: Push for changes to Auckland's Lifejacket Bylaw In the past quarter, we have been advocating for a crucial update to Auckland's Navigational Bylaw. Currently, skippers of vessels under 6 metres have the choice of whether those on board...

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

'Have a hmmm' is a constructive wero (challenge) from ACC to Aotearoa: Take action to avoid injury and keep yourself, your whānau, friends and community safe and well. DPA joined forces with ACC and sector partners to offer expertise for a series of water safety...

New eLearning module for parents and caregivers of under fives

New eLearning module for parents and caregivers of under fives

Concerted efforts in education for parents and young children, together with legislation around pool fences and barriers have significantly reduced drowning in children aged under five-years. However, under-fives still comprise 6% of preventable drowning fatalities and 14% of hospitalisations between 2018- 2022. Drowning Prevention Auckland is committed to preventing future tragedies by making water safety awareness and education accessible for everyone.

The good news is we know that children are fast and keen learners – in fact, evidence shows that the ‘quickest’ age to develop your water competence is six years of age, provided they have had appropriate experiences to develop confidence and awareness.

Informed by robust, international research, DPA has released another Early Childhood eLearning module: Young Children Developing Water Competence. This free course can be done at home and is focused on parents, or caregivers building water confidence with their preschool tamariki.

Water competency education for children under five begins at home. As a parent or caregiver, you are your child’s first teacher, and you know your child better than anyone. We encourage you to make the most of everyday opportunities – like bath time and outdoor play – to develop water safety awareness in fun and meaningful ways.

What if I can’t access a pool or swimming lessons?

We know that sometimes accessing a pool is difficult because of the entry cost or cost of swimming lessons, cold weather, or you’re too far away from your nearest pool. With our new eLearning module, you can gain valuable and practical information at home at a time that suits you.

Made with parents and caregivers in mind, this new module covers three areas: “Bath and shower”, “Garden and backyard”, and “Swimming Pools” and includes guidance on all 15 water competencies, including:

  • entering and exiting the water
  • submerging
  • breath control
  • floating and moving through the water

You can read more about the 15 water competencies here.

A great head start before school

Starting this education at home is a great idea because your child will then be safer around water, as well as being more confident and ready to learn traditional swimming strokes when they start school.

While our new module is aimed at parents and caregivers, this information will also be valuable for early childhood educators.

To sum up, this course is recommended for anyone who has regular care of children under five – why not get grandparents and the rest of your whānau involved?

Check out the new module today!

After completing this free Young Children Developing Water Competence online module, you will:

• understand how to keep your under-fives safe when near water
• have ideas on ways to have fun with your young child in and around water
• know how to build you and your young child’s water competence

Other free courses available

DPA has a range of other free eLearning courses available on our website, including “Early Childhood Water Safety”. This course covers the ‘Layers of Protection’ that are essential to help keep your young children safe around bodies of water. The four layers of protection are: supervision, barriers, water competence and CPR. While this content is also aimed at parents of under-fives, the material can be used by early childhood educators. This course covers several water competencies and will help you teach your young children water competence and confidence in and around the home, around pools and spas, and in open water environments.

Visit eLearning platform

In-person opportunities to extend your knowledge and confidence

DPA continues to work alongside early childhood centres, kindergartens, schools and kura, and homebased learning services around Auckland to encourage the inclusion of water safety in the curriculum, giving both parents and children confidence around water.

What’s more, we offer free presentations and resources to parents and caregivers. If you’re interested in organising a DPA presentation for a parent group, please contact: Helen Meyrick on: [email protected]

We also offer professional learning and development for early childhood educators, as well as classroom-based water safety sessions for under-fives. Our goal is to continue making drowning prevention education as accessible, meaningful, and as much fun as possible.

Contact us for information

Other news

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Unleash your potential... ride the waves of employment with us! The DPA team was amongst the thousands at the ASB PolyFest over the past week, playing a support role for the Wai ora Tāmaki Makaurau promotional booth, addressing the employment journeys within the...

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Navigating Towards Safer Waters: Push for changes to Auckland's Lifejacket Bylaw In the past quarter, we have been advocating for a crucial update to Auckland's Navigational Bylaw. Currently, skippers of vessels under 6 metres have the choice of whether those on board...

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

'Have a hmmm' is a constructive wero (challenge) from ACC to Aotearoa: Take action to avoid injury and keep yourself, your whānau, friends and community safe and well. DPA joined forces with ACC and sector partners to offer expertise for a series of water safety...

Manawa Makes a Splash

Manawa Makes a Splash

Manawa means heart in Te Reo Māori and “our heart” is what Manawa Harrison, 17, is to his friends and whānau.

Manawa’s journey has not been an easy one. He was diagnosed at a young age with Autism, ADHD, SPD and mild Tourette Syndrome. He had trouble focusing in school and his behaviour was often erratic.

Living in the small East Coast town of Ruatoria, (Ruatorea) near Gisborne, made access to services and professionals that could help very difficult.

After years of struggle, his father Sparks, along with some supportive medical specialists, decided it was time to stop focusing on what he “should” be doing and instead focus on what he loves to do.

For Manawa that means going hard on the self taught drums, flying through the air doing bombs, hot pools and all things water related.

And so for four school holidays in a row, Sparks and Manawa made the eight hour journey from Ruatoria to Auckland to attend the Splash Break-Away Programme run by Drowning Prevention Auckland, first in Manurewa then at West Wave in Henderson.

Sparks explains that being in the water is beneficial for Manawa’s focus, its something he enjoys and can be successful at doing.
“I spent many hours for three weeks looking at different holiday programmes around New Zealand, he’d done lots of different camps, basketball holiday programmes, but then I saw Splash.”

“He loves it. He loves the staff, he thinks they are really cool, there was no negativity and he enjoys being around the other kids. He wasn’t sure if he would like it at first but he really did. I had tears in my eyes driving back to Ruatoria listening to him talk about having such a good time.”

v
“It’s something new to learn and it’s really fun, I like everything about it.”
Manawa Harrison

Sparks is also appreciative of West Wave Aquatics Centre and Diving New Zealand who made time for Manawa to do some sweet bombs from the top diving board.

“The younger kids from the Splash programme came to watch him and were like ‘wow look at him’ – he loved that.”

Being involved in water and water safety programmes have really helped build Manawa’s self confidence and he is now regularly attending school in Ruatoria as well as Tautau Village in Gisborne to help him with life skills. He has a bright future ahead of him with plans to play the drums at Wembley Stadium as well as help other children with Autism find their passions.

“Manawa wasn’t ever supposed to be able to do some of things he can do, but he is doing them.”

One Day Water Safety Programme

Our next Splash one day water safety programmes run at several facilities across Auckland in the September/October school holidays

Other news

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Unleash your potential... ride the waves of employment with us! The DPA team was amongst the thousands at the ASB PolyFest over the past week, playing a support role for the Wai ora Tāmaki Makaurau promotional booth, addressing the employment journeys within the...

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Navigating Towards Safer Waters: Push for changes to Auckland's Lifejacket Bylaw In the past quarter, we have been advocating for a crucial update to Auckland's Navigational Bylaw. Currently, skippers of vessels under 6 metres have the choice of whether those on board...

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

'Have a hmmm' is a constructive wero (challenge) from ACC to Aotearoa: Take action to avoid injury and keep yourself, your whānau, friends and community safe and well. DPA joined forces with ACC and sector partners to offer expertise for a series of water safety...

Water Competency Sessions

Water Competency Sessions

Adult drowning rates in New Zealand are increasing.

Research has found that this is likely for a number of reasons:

  • Lack of water safety practice
  • Entrenched unsafe attitudes toward open water participation
  • Underestimation of risks in aquatic activity
  • Overly optimistic perception of capacity to cope with that risk

(Stanley & Moran, 2021)

The adult water competency pilot programme was completed in June 2022 which showed some interesting results:

  • Adults overestimated their water competence in controlled pool environment
  • Although not tested in open water during the pilot, adults perceived open water competency was likely to be overestimated
  • All participants water competency improved after education at the conclusion of the programme

(Stanley & Carmine, 2022)

Here’s what participants had to say about the programme:

I was incredibly surprised that I was able to improve weaknesses with a few simple tips from the facilitator

I was shocked to realise that there were some things that I couldn’t do after years of thinking I could do them; this was a real eye opener to figure out what I could do and how to keep myself safer in the water

Want to improve your water competency?

Take this opportunity to test yourself in the safety of the pool with instructors on hand to guide you. Can you do everything you think you can? Could you be safer in the water?

To improve your water competency, join a free session at one of the four venues that Drowning Prevention Auckland are facilitating with the support of Auckland Council. The session is one hour long, free of charge and is designed to help you discover your current level of water competency and give you tips on how to improve it.

To join this free initiative, contact one of the four sites below.

Other news

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Unleash your potential... ride the waves of employment with us! The DPA team was amongst the thousands at the ASB PolyFest over the past week, playing a support role for the Wai ora Tāmaki Makaurau promotional booth, addressing the employment journeys within the...

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Navigating Towards Safer Waters: Push for changes to Auckland's Lifejacket Bylaw In the past quarter, we have been advocating for a crucial update to Auckland's Navigational Bylaw. Currently, skippers of vessels under 6 metres have the choice of whether those on board...

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

'Have a hmmm' is a constructive wero (challenge) from ACC to Aotearoa: Take action to avoid injury and keep yourself, your whānau, friends and community safe and well. DPA joined forces with ACC and sector partners to offer expertise for a series of water safety...

He Taonga Te Wai – Dawn Event

He Taonga Te Wai – Dawn Event

Drowning Prevention Auckland are pleased to invite you to our World Drowning Prevention Day dawn service – He Taonga Te Wai on 25 July.

Supported by Te Ahiwaru Trust, the event acknowledges our close connection with water as we come together to remember the tragic loss of life and bring hope to the future.

This year we will gather close to Makaurau Marae, on the shores of Te Maanukanuka o Hoturoa, Manukau Harbour. The start and end point for many great journeys on the water, following in the waves of Te Ahiwaru’s ancestor, Hape.

Please RSVP by 19 July and help us bring to light the impact of drowning in our communities, here in Tāmaki Makaurau, across Aotearoa and loved ones overseas.

Event format:

6:45am – 7:00am – Arrival
7:00am – 8:30am – Dawn service followed by refreshments
Please join us singing Tai Aroha during the service.

Location:

Oruarangi Esplanade Reserve, Maangere
Parking is available on the road.

Community Water Safety Education

Community Water Safety Education

Highlights from our April activity including Wai Wise, a global drowning prevention event at Vector Wero Whitewater Park and the new one-day SPLASH holiday programme.

Wai Wise Programme

One of DPA’s flagship programmes, Wai Wise, ran for the first time with Auckland’s Asian community last month.

The programme provides an insight of water safety learning through both theory sessions and a series of practical workshops to improve water competence, survival and safety skills. Over twenty participants from Chinese Dragon Boat Association (CDBA) nicknamed the Dragon Riders, took part. over several weekends. . Whilst participants joined with boating experience from paddling dragon boats, they lacked water safety knowledge and experience.

DPA partnered with Coastguard Boating Education (CBE) who supported the courses on Day Skipper and In-water Survival.

v
“I thought water safety was all about swimming techniques before joining Wai Wise, and now I realised there is way more knowledge and experience that we need to gain. I feel lucky to have been the Skipper of the boat in the drowning simulation and rescue scenario. I practiced using the communication device on Channel 16, then started to deliver Distress code on Mayday, and I wish to let other Asian communities know that participation in these programmes is important for all of us”
Shan Shan Xu

Global water safety and drowning prevention event – Vector Wero Whitewater Park

Last month, Vector Wero hosted a global water safety and drowning prevention event in collaboration with several key partners in the aquatics industry. The event provided members of the public with free in-water experiences, lessons and resources to keep themselves safer in on and around the water. The activities included white water rafting, stand up paddleboarding, canoe polo and kayaking.

It was fantastic to see such high levels of engagement with hundreds of people learning and having fun.

The DPA team provided guidance and information on Auckland’s navigational safety bylaws, lifejacket use, pool safety messaging and ran a real time demonstration of the 4R’s for bystander rescue. The demonstration teaches members of the public how to assist people in the water without putting themselves at risk. This is an important skill to learn as statistics show us that 3% of rescuers who enter the water to save somebody in distress end up drowning themselves.

What are the 4Rs of Bystander Rescue

  • Recognition This emphasises the importance of recognising when someone is at risk of drowning and taking action to prevent it. This includes being aware of the signs of distress, such as gasping for air or struggling to stay afloat and taking immediate action to assist them. It is also important to keep an eye on those who are swimming or playing in the water, particularly children or those who may not be strong swimmers.
  • Respond If someone is in danger of drowning, the next step is to respond quickly. This may involve alerting others in the area, such as lifeguards, other swimmers or calling 111 and asking for the police. It is important to remember that time is of the essence in a drowning situation, so any delay in responding could have serious consequences.
  • Rescue The next step is to rescue the person in danger. This may involve using tools around you including, flotation devices, water bottles, sticks, throwing a rope or other objects to the person which will assist in keeping them afloat until they are able to swim to shore or until help arrives.
  • Resuscitation Finally, once the person has been rescued, it is important to revive them if necessary. This may involve performing CPR at a rate of 30 compressions and two breaths or other lifesaving techniques like the recovery position until emergency responders arrive.

Complete the free Bystander Rescue lesson within the Water Safety for Youth and Young Adults eLearning module.

For more information about events, contact Harry Aonga – Team Leader Community Education & Events: [email protected] or on 0211118674.

April 2023 SPLASH Holiday Programme

SPLASH originally started as a weeklong holiday programme and has has now been re-designed to to run in one day – a day filled with new learnings and water safety experiences.

During the school holidays, SPLASH took place at Mount Albert Aquatic Centre, offering two daylong programmes for around 30 children aged 8-10 and11-13 year olds. The programme covers many aspects around the water, with some of these being, lifejacket safety, boating safety, recognising, and assisting a drowning person and beach safety.

The children thoroughly enjoyed all of the activities with the highlights being the snorkelling and safer boating. The safer boating activity not only taught them what to do and what to wear when on a boat, but it also developed their teamwork and leadership skills.

The children really enjoyed the programme and left with a whole new set of skills. Many were keen to return for the next holidays!

v
“I learnt to bring a first aid kit and communications on a boat and to always tell someone where you are going”
v
“I liked the snorkelling, I learnt about how to snorkel especially how to use the mask and snorkel and I liked picking up the paua shells”

Other news

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Unleash your potential... ride the waves of employment with us! The DPA team was amongst the thousands at the ASB PolyFest over the past week, playing a support role for the Wai ora Tāmaki Makaurau promotional booth, addressing the employment journeys within the...

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Navigating Towards Safer Waters: Push for changes to Auckland's Lifejacket Bylaw In the past quarter, we have been advocating for a crucial update to Auckland's Navigational Bylaw. Currently, skippers of vessels under 6 metres have the choice of whether those on board...

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

'Have a hmmm' is a constructive wero (challenge) from ACC to Aotearoa: Take action to avoid injury and keep yourself, your whānau, friends and community safe and well. DPA joined forces with ACC and sector partners to offer expertise for a series of water safety...

Kāhui Ako Conference – ‘Together We Are Stronger!’ (Massey Schools Cluster)

Kāhui Ako Conference – ‘Together We Are Stronger!’ (Massey Schools Cluster)

The recent Kāhui Ako Conference for the Massey Schools Cluster brought together educators of all levels, from early childhood to secondary school for a day of connection and learning.

Held on the first day of term two, the event was a rare chance for teachers and school leaders to network, attend workshops on a range of educational topics as well as learn more about various education providers in attendance, including Drowning Prevention Auckland.

The DPA education team, Helen Meyrick and Lynley Stewart were heartened by the positive response from teachers who were interested to hear about the support available for aquatic education in schools.

Drowning Prevention Auckland offers free, tailored professional learning and development (PLD) within the education sector to assist schools in developing an aquatic education programme in line with the NZC (2007) expectations.

If you or your school would like to know more, please contact Lynley Stewart.

Other news

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Promoting the Aquatic Employment Pathway

Unleash your potential... ride the waves of employment with us! The DPA team was amongst the thousands at the ASB PolyFest over the past week, playing a support role for the Wai ora Tāmaki Makaurau promotional booth, addressing the employment journeys within the...

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Lobbying for Lifejacket Bylaw Change

Navigating Towards Safer Waters: Push for changes to Auckland's Lifejacket Bylaw In the past quarter, we have been advocating for a crucial update to Auckland's Navigational Bylaw. Currently, skippers of vessels under 6 metres have the choice of whether those on board...

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

DPA boosts water safety for ACC Have a hmm campaign

'Have a hmmm' is a constructive wero (challenge) from ACC to Aotearoa: Take action to avoid injury and keep yourself, your whānau, friends and community safe and well. DPA joined forces with ACC and sector partners to offer expertise for a series of water safety...