Do Water Safety Lessons Improve Water Safety Knowledge?

Authors

Michael J. Tipton, Extreme Environments Laboratory, University of PortsmouthFollow
Joseph Muller, University of PortsmouthFollow
Cristian Abelairas Gomez, Universidade de Santiago de CompostelaFollow
Jo Corbett, University of PortsmouthFollow

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25035/ijare.13.03.03

Disciplines

Curriculum and Instruction | Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | Exercise Physiology | Exercise Science | Health and Physical Education | Kinesiology | Leisure Studies | Other Rehabilitation and Therapy | Outdoor Education | Public Health | Sports Management | Sports Sciences | Sports Studies | Tourism and Travel

Abstract

A person, usually a child or young adult, dies by drowning every 90 seconds around the planet. Most drowning prevention initiatives do not assess the efficacy of the intervention. In this study, thirteen- to fourteen-year-olds had their level of water safety knowledge (covering cold shock, rips and tides) assessed before, just after, and 3-6 months after one, 25-minute water safety lesson on these topics. We evaluated the knowledge gained and retained on water safety “awareness” (i.e., knowledge of risks) and “confidence” in terms of knowing what to do in an emergency. The results demonstrated that the lesson significantly increased water safety awareness and confidence in pupils, and these benefits were retained for at least six months. We accept our hypothesis that theoretical, classroom-based instruction in water safety can improve the water safety awareness and confidence of children and may represent a “lesson for life.” Given the large numbers who drown around the globe annually, a lesson on water safety should be part of every national curriculum.

Recommended Citation

Tipton, Michael J.; Muller, Joseph; Abelairas Gomez, Cristian; and Corbett, Jo (2021) "Do Water Safety Lessons Improve Water Safety Knowledge?," International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education: Vol. 13: No. 3, Article 3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25035/ijare.13.03.03
Available at: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/ijare/vol13/iss3/3