The five-week sea safety programme for TY students at Gairmscoil MhicDiarmada, Arranmore, has been described as a hugely beneficial initiative by Donegal Sports Partnership Education and Training Coordinator, Maggie Farrelly.
The programme was delivered by Donegal Sports Partnership in conjunction with Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh, Gairmscoil MhicDiarmada and the RNLI.
“We were delighted with all aspects of the programme which afforded all students with an opportunity to develop their knowledge and confidence in the water,” Ms. Farrelly said.
Explaining that a wide range of topics including first aid and personal safety, weather and safety, tides and moon phases and basic marine navigation were covered, she continued: “The programme also afforded the students an opportunity to develop other life skills including, communication, interpersonal, leadership skills and teamwork. They got a chance to put the theory into practice while kayaking, sailing and stand-up paddling boarding. These engaging and interactive sessions were delivered by Micky McHugh and John McCafferty from Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh. Students all received a certificate for their participation.
“The sessions were informative and relevant to students living and studying on the island. The key message delivered was safety, the safety of individuals and of others across all activities. We had great support from the school principal, Mary Doherty, and the TY Coordinator, Caroline McAuley, who encouraged and supported the students to participate. The students were fantastic to work with. They worked well throughout the sessions and showed a willingness to learn and put their skills and knowledge into practice, despite the cold weather back in April,” she added.
Killian O’Reilly and Caoimhe O’Connor from the RNLI delivered the RNLI Young Adult Programme. The six-hour session was also interactive, with students watching videos and completing tasks.
“Topics covered included cold water shock, hypothermia, rip currents, tides, the drowning chain, risk-taking, and safety. As an addition to the workshop, the local Arranmore RNLI crew demonstrated a rescue at sea. The students got an opportunity to put their skills into practice by throwing a rope to rescue the RNLI member in the water also,” the Donegal Sports Partnership Education and Training Coordinator commented.
“We want to extend a massive thanks to the local RNLI crew from the island for giving up their time to take out the RNLI rescue boat, to demonstrate a rescue, and for providing an opportunity for the students to see how it all works. This practical element added value to the workshop and helped to instill confidence in the students. The key message for the students was not to panic if they get into difficulty, remain calm, and be mindful of their surroundings when entering and exiting the water,” she added.
Open-water swimming lessons
Last week on the island, students from Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada and SN Árainn Mhór 1 took part in open-water swimming lessons at Leagbarrow Beach. Swimming instruction was provided by Maureen McCoy and Paul McCambridge from Wildswim. The lessons were tailored to meet the needs of all children from all age groups, from those beginning to those that were more advanced. The children from SN Árainn Mhór 1 also carried out a beach clean-up to mark World Ocean Day. They also drew some ocean creatures on the beach before getting into the sea for their swim. Adults on the island were also afforded an opportunity to do lessons with Maureen and Paul, which were extremely successful and beneficial to the group.
“We are delighted to have Maureen and Paul from Wildswim involved in this programme with our community partners Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh, Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada and SN Árainn Mhór 1 as they are vastly experienced teachers and open water swimmers,” Ms. Farrelly said.
“The collaboration as a whole has been very successful to date. Everyone on the island is working together to provide opportunities for all ages to learn how to swim or to enhance current levels and skills, to develop confidence in the water, but above all else to be safe in the water, knowing your own capacities, limitations and never swim alone. This programme would not have happened without the support from John McCafferty from CFFAM, Mary Doherty from Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada and Michelle Coll from SN Árainn Mhór 1. They want everyone on the island to be active, to take part in these activities in order to build confidence, gain knowledge, and to instill safety in the water.”
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