Panaji, April 2024: Taking inspiration from Australia’s ‘Float to Survive’ initiative, Drishti Marine, a state-appointed lifesaving agency in collaboration with the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) has rolled out the free-of-cost ‘Learn to Float’ programme to teach children in Goa how to survive in any water body by simply floating.
Learning how to float without a floatation device or aid is a vital life skill, as according to experts, one of the top ten leading causes of death across the world among people aged one to 24 years, is drowning. This programme ensures that if they face difficulties in any water body and cannot swim to safety, they can survive by floating until a lifeguard arrives to rescue them.
Marine Drishti and Coastal Foundation has conducted this programme free of cost along with Drishti Lifesaving and Special Rescue Training Academy as delivery partners.
“The main aim of the ‘Learn to Float’ programme is to teach students, especially those in primary school, the art of floating as a self-preservation tactic. We are currently conducting sessions with The Rosary High School, Cujira, whose students we are training in two batches daily, for six days at the SAG Swimming Pool at Campal, Panaji,” stated Colonel Austin Collaco, general manager of operations and Training, Drishti Marine, who aims to train 500-plus students across Goa in the coming five to six months.
Navin Awasthi, CEO, Drishti Marine, stated that the Learn to Float programme “aims to not only save lives, but prevent the loss of life. Marine Drishti and Coastal Foundation has conducted this programme free of cost along with Drishti Lifesaving Pvt Ltd and Special Rescue Training Academy as delivery partners. We are grateful for the support given by the Government of Goa and the Sports Authority of Goa in the form of the necessary infrastructure to conduct the initiative. Drishti Marine also aims to rope in other schools to participate in this initiative. We will also conduct training sessions in swimming pools in housing societies,” said Awasthi.
Debanshu Das, Chief Training Officer, Drishti Marine, in charge of training the students with another seven instructors, gave an insight into the programming.
“Each session consists of a warm-up before entering the pool, where they are trained to float on their backs and stomachs using floatation devices like kickboards and pool noodles. On the programme’s final day, a test will be held, where each student must float for three minutes without a floatation aid, which is the main aim of the programme,” said Das.
The initiative also serves to teach students life skills that go beyond preventing themselves from drowning, as outlined by Swetika Sachan (IAS) Secretary, Sports and Industries, Goa.
“The ‘Learn to Float’ initiative spearheaded by Drishti Marine is a significant step towards enhancing the safety and well-being of students and the community at large in Goa. This initiative is not only aimed at reducing the incidents of drowning by educating individuals on essential water safety techniques but also at fostering a sense of respect and understanding towards the sea and its environment. As a state renowned for its beautiful beaches and water bodies, the initiative targets students to instil these crucial skills and awareness from a young age, thereby contributing to a safer and more informed community that can enjoy Goa's natural water resources responsibly,” stated Sachan, adding that “These skills include developing a sense of responsibility, enhancing decision-making skills by assessing risks associated with water activities, and fostering a respectful interaction with the natural environment.”
These include developing a sense of responsibility, enhancing decision-making skills by assessing risks associated with water activities, and fostering a respectful interaction with the natural environment,” said Sachan.
Alice Goes, Headmistress, The Rosary High School, Cujira, commends the initiative by Drishti Marine, stating that “the ‘Learn to Float’ initiative is the need of the hour and the students are learning an important survival tactic while having fun”.
Heramb Prabhugaonkar, a physical education teacher at The Rosary High School, Cujira, accompanying the students to the pool, stated that “learning to float is one of the most important survival skills, and the 70-plus students participating in the initiative will learn to be responsible for themselves and others”.
Jolyne Vaz and Kim D’Souza, students from Grade 8, The Rosary High School, Cujira, are excited to learn the importance of floating, with Vaz stating that “as I am unable to swim, learning to float is extremely important,” and D’Souza adding that the initiative will make her summer a memorable experience as “‘Learn to Float’ will help me aid other people in case of emergency”.
Parents, too, are extremely supportive of the programme. Kavita Naik, whose child is participating in the initiative, stated, “The ‘Learn to Float’ programme will help our children to survive if they enter any water body by teaching them to float until they are rescued”.