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Water Safety DVD a new tool in New Settler education

The water safety sector has a new educational tool with the release of the New Settler Water Safety DVD, a multi-lingual DVD targeting Asian and New Migrant Communities.

The water safety sector has a new educational tool with the release of the New Settler Water Safety DVD, a multi-lingual DVD targeting Asian and New Migrant Communities.

One goal of the Drowning Prevention Strategy is a water safety culture established in New Zealand (DPS p.16), however many new migrants & visitors do not share the same culture, or indeed the same beliefs, attitudes, values and behaviours when it comes to being in and around water.

The DVD is viewable in English, Chinese, Cantonese, Korean, and promotes water safety in four key areas – pool, beach, boat, and rock fishing. It demonstrates ‘best practice’ water safety showing correct safety equipment to wear and use, and simple procedures that can make all the difference in an emergency, such as carrying a mobile phone in a waterproof bag, wearing a lifejacket, supervising children and swimming between the flags at the beach. A translated handbook of safety tips is also included.

Asians are the fastest growing ethnic community in New Zealand, a community that has almost doubled in size since 2001 (2006 Census) and a community that is over-represented in the national drowning statistics.

From 2000 to 2002, drowning caused 16.5% of all Asian unintentional injury deaths and in 2005 four Asian men drowned while rock fishing on Auckland’s West Coast.

It is hoped that this DVD, an important project between WaterSafe Auckland, Water Safety New Zealand and ACC, will assist in familiarising these at-risk communities with the nature of our aquatic environment in order for them to enjoy the outdoors without placing themselves at risk.

Copies of the DVD are available from WaterSafe Auckland free of charge. Ph 09 306 0809, email watersafe.ak@xtra.co.nz, or via the website www.watersafe.org.nz (Resources page).

For further information on the New Settler water safety project contact Teresa Stanley, Drowning Prevention Manager teresa.stanley@watersafe.org.nz