WaterWise in Paarl and Stellenbosch:

Desiree at Paulus Joubert .Together we work as a team preventing drowning in the Cape Winelands:Pictured above are the learners of PAULUS JOUBERT PRIMARY SCHOOL listening attentively to Desiree Pinetown's Water Safety Address and CPR demonstration. During my visit to the school I urged the learners to be my ambassadors in spreading the Waterwise message: “SAFETY FIRST”.The kids are taught that they should not risk their own lives saving a friend in trouble by exposing themselves to potential danger or drowning. In the event of an emergency rather call 10177 or seek immediate help.Waterwise Academy recently held a workshop at William Lloyd Primary School. Lwazi at William Lloyd.Seen here in action is Waterwise Instructor, Lwazi Fihlela, demonstrating CPR on “Asynda” to the Senior Phase learners of the school. “When starting CPR, you should do it hard and fast and continue to do so until help arrives,” Lwazi explained.Once you have started CPR you should not stop. Only paramedics, doctors, nurses or qualified medical individuals can tell you to stop after which they will take over. By acting swiftly you can save a life. The field educators had lots of fun presenting this workshop.At Ikaya Primary School in Stellenbosch the kiddies had great fun participating in the PLAN – demonstration. They learned to (P) – “Pack a bag”, (L)-“Look out for hazards”, (A) - “Always ask an adult”, (N) - “Never go swimming alone”.The kids are taught to take a stick, rope, bottle and plastic bag with them whenever they plan on going on a swimming trip. By using these items they can save a life without endangering their own. Desiree demonstrates how to make a throw bag by using a plastic bottle.At a workshop at St Idas RK Primary School Desiree used Triple-H(famous WWE wrestler) as a teaching tool to explain the accident scene.Always look out for (H) - hazards as own safety is important. Then determine if the accident scene is safe. (H)- Hello. Assess the patient. Seek immediate (H) help or call the emergency rescue services 10177. Children should not go near flooding rivers.Recently during heavy rains and flooding the Berg river burst its banks. It created many hazardous conditions. Homes were flooded and many people were stranded as a result of all the flooding. Gravel roads to schools were flooded and there were mudslides in the Franschoek Pass. The water level of the Bergrivier rose by 1.5m as a result of open sluices at the dam up stream.Flood waters are very dangerous and unpredictable. There is no discernible way of predicting the depth of the water. Children can easily get swept away by the strong currents. They can get trapped in the mud. Children should stay away from flooded rivers.The WaterWise Academy is proudly sponsored by TNPA.