In France, accidental drownings are responsible for around 1,000 deaths each year, and represent the main cause of death from everyday accidents among those under 25. As summer approaches, it is therefore essential to raise awareness, inform and prevent the risks of accidents linked to nautical activities. This June 26, four workshops were organized at the La Plage municipal center (Mistral Cove) as part of National Drowning Prevention Day (JNPN). A short distance away, Anses des Pins and Tabarly, they were introduced to 28 of the disciplines scheduled for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Initiations carried out on the occasion of Olympic Day.
Know how to raise the alarm
Inside the La Plage municipal leisure center, educators taught the children how to alert the emergency services through fun but realistic scenarios. Although the task may seem simple, it is important “ to acquire the right reflexes to help rather than cause an accident
“, recalled a lifeguard, pointing to a sign with the numbers. You have to learn to explain where you are, the nature of the accident and know the emergency numbers”
Provide first aid Another workshop: gathered around a mannequin, the children listen to a facilitator from the municipal civil security service tell them how to provide first aid. We turn the body on its side, we put the upper arm in the same position as Superman and the lower one under the cheek. Then you bend your leg as if it were a mountain and you make the mountain fall towards you
».
Then, it was the turn of a member of the French Federation of Rescue and First Aid (FFSS) to explain to them how to use a defibrillator. Once turned on, the device gives instructions on what to do. The kids follow this step by step, stick the electrodes on the mannequin, press on it to trigger the shock, then move away from this virtual victim.
Finally, they visited a rescue center where the city’s lifeguards explained to them the three main rules of prevention: swimming in safe areas, checking swimming conditions and knowing your abilities.
With these role plays, the various JNPN participants seek to prevent the risk of drowning and, more broadly, to raise awareness among the children of the harbor of life-saving actions.
Discover new sports
The educators of the City of Toulon also allowed some children to take the “Nautical Pass” if they did not already have one. This test is intended to check the children’s ease in water and is essential for practicing certain water activities. Some of these were offered to the little Toulonians as part of the Olympic Day, such as kayaking. Head for Anses des Pins and Tabarly. All day long, in small groups, the kids tried several of the 28 sports on offer: some in and on the sea such as swimming, water polo, rowing or sailing and others on dry land. . Among them, a Paralympic discipline has been very successful: wheelchair rugby. “ I liked it because we can bump into each other and no one says anything. ” explains Celia. Her friend adds “ I prefer wheelchair rugby because when you let go of your hands, it goes quickly but the maneuvers are not easy to do
“To close this event, a conference was held on the theme “Sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity, risks and recommendations”.
Territorial educators of physical and sporting activities and holders of the Sports Educator Certificate for Swimming Activities
