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WATER SAFETY STRATEGYDeveloped in Bahrain for promoting safe enjoyment of water, building cohesive communities, enabling economic development and saving lives.
About us
2 AboutRoyalLifeSavingBahrain
3 OurBoardMembers
4 Ourlifewithwater
6 Challengesweface
7 Ourgoalstoachieve
Strategy
8 Ourstrategiestoimplement
10 Teachpeoplefoundationskillsforswimmingandwatersafety
12 Providesafebeaches,poolsandotherlocationsforrecreationinwater
14 Trainpeopleinfirstaidandresuscitation
The launch of the Water Safety Strategy is a crucial step to making the surrounding waters of Bahrain safer for citizens and visitors alike.
Asanislandnation,waterisintegraltoournationalheritage.Wemustembracethislegacybyprovidingopportunitiestolearnbasicswimmingandsafetyskills,whilstutilisingournaturalwaterassetstoimprovepublichealth,drivetourismandcreateemploymentopportunitiesforallBahrainis.
TheBoardofRoyalLifeSavingBahrainiscommittedtoensuringourorganisationsucceedsinbroadeningawarenessofthevalueofwaterandtheenvironment,improvingsafetystandardsandsupportingdevelopmentofrecreationalfacilitiesacrossour130kilometrecoastline.
Asanewlyestablishedorganisation,RoyalLifeSavingBahrainwillworktouniteourcommunities,institutionsandlocalleisureindustryunderasharedobjective:toeducateandadvocateasaferaquaticenvironmentforresidentsandtouristsinlinewithinternationalstandards.
Together,wecan–andarecommittedto–protectingfuturegenerationsandourenvironment.
H.H Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
President
MESSAGE FROM ROYAL LIFE SAVING BAHRAIN
Contents
16 Enableyouthdevelopment,volunteerismandcareersinlifesaving
18 Improvesafetyforboatingandotherpersonalwatercraft-basedrecreation
Our Activities
20 Researchandevaluation
20 Policyandregulation
21 Communication
One hundred and thirty kilometres of coastline, a maritime area 11 times larger than the land mass, 8 current and upcoming public beaches and sadly an average of 15 drowning deaths per year.
Whetherit’sa2,15,or45yearold,drowninghasbeenresponsiblefortakingtheirlivesinthisyearalone.Ifwethinkcarefully,eachoneofuswillrememberafataldrowningoraneardrowningincidentthataffectedourfamilies,ourfriendsorus.ItismorecommoninBahrainthanwethink.Itonlytakes20-60secondsandafewcentimetresofwaterforachildtodrownand3minutesforanadulttodrown.
EverylifeispreciousandastheQuranteachesus“thesavingofonelifeislikethesavingofmankind.”ItiswiththisresponsibilityinmindthatRoyalLifeSavingBahrainwasfounded.RoyalLifeSavingBahrainaimstodevelopacultureofswimmingandenjoymentofwater,promotevolunteerism,reducewater-relateddeathandinjury,enhancetheappealofwater-relatedtourismandfinallyfosterrespectforcoastlinesandmarinehabitats.
Thesegoalswillbeachievedbyworkingtogetherwiththecommunity,governmentandindustry.Afterall,thecommunityasawholeisresponsibleforsavingalife.Nomatterwhatprofessionwearein,wecanallmakeadifferenceasindividuals.TheWaterSafetyStrategywasdevisedinlinewithinternationalbestpracticeanditoutlinesthestepsthatneedtobetakeninordertoachieveourgoals.
OurIslamicheritagetellsustoteachourchildrenswimming,archeryandhorseridingandit’sourresponsibilitytodoso.Waterisanintricatepartofourheritage,ourpresentandourfuture.Asamother,aswimmerandacitizenofBahrain,Iwouldlikeourcountrytodevelopahealthybeachculture,safewaterways,promotetheenjoymentofwaterandstrengthenourcommunities.
H.H Shaikha Nayla bint Hamad bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa
Chairperson&Founder
“Teachyourchildrenswimming,archeryandhorseriding”
IslamicHeritage
“Thesavingofonelifeislikethesavingofallmankind”
Al-Maeda:5vs32
“ومن أحياها فكأنما أحيا الناس جميعا”
المائدة: ٣٢
“علموا أبناءكم السباحة والرماية وركوب الخيل”
التراث اإلسالمي
1
OUR BOARD MEMBERS
ABOUT ROYAL LIFE SAVING BAHRAIN
Government
e.g. health, civil defence, coast guard, education,
youth and tourism
Industry
e.g. hotels, leisure businesses and entrepreneurs
Community
e.g. volunteers, organisations and leaders
Our Vision
Topreventdrowningrelateddeathandinjuryandprosperfromourwaters
Our Mission
Topromotesafeenjoymentofrecreationinwater,buildcohesivecommunities,enableeconomicdevelopmentandsavelives
RoyalLifeSavingBahrain(RLSB)isacharityregisteredundertheMinistryofSocialDevelopment.RLSBissupportedbyLifeSavingBahrainManagementWLL(commercialregistrationnumber102436-1),whichhasbeenincorporatedtoundertakecommercialactivitiesrelatedtoRLSB.
RoyalLifeSavingBahrainwasestablishedinOctober2016.
WewillpartnerwithGovernment,industryandthecommunitytoachieveourvisionandmission.
RoyalLifeSavingBahrainisamemberoftheInternationalLifesavingFederation(ILS),theworldauthorityfordrowningprevention,lifesavingandlifesavingsport.
H.H Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
President
ChairmanoftheBoardofTrusteesoftheIsabinSalmanEducationalandCharityFund
H.H Shaikha Nayla bint Hamad bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa
Chairperson
Chairperson&FounderofRoyalLifeSavingBahrain
Shaikh Ahmed bin Isa Al Khalifa
Vice President
HeadofthePrivateOfficeofH.HSh.KhalifabinHamadAlKhalifa
Mrs. Hala Ali Husain Yateem
Secretary
BusinessWoman
Mr. Mohamed Khalil Ahmed Nass
Treasurer
CaptainattheMinistryofInterior
Mrs. Nirvana Abdulla Akbar Alireza
BusinessOwner
Mrs. Sawsan Ali Abdulla AlShaer
MediaAdvisor
Ms. Noora Hasan Al Nusuf
HeadofCorporateAffairsandBrand&Marketing-StandardCharteredBank
Dr. Husam Abdulaziz Mohamed Noor
ConsultantCardiologist
Ms. Haifa Salahuddin Abdulrahman Khonj
Lawyer
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OUR LIFE WITH WATER
11x 130KM OF COASTLINE AND A MARITIME AREA 11 TIMES LARGER THAN LAND AREA
74+HOTELS WITH POOLS
1,912 FISHERY BOATS REGISTERED
131SEASONAL PRIVATE POOLS
8+ PUBLIC BEACHES
8+MARINAS
33 ISLANDS
8,829 RECREATIONAL BOATS
Asanislandnation,ourlifestylesandinterestsdriveustodevelopbeaches,swimmingpools,waterparksandotherenvironmentswherewecanenjoywater-basedrecreation.Weengageinboatingandotheractivitiesthattakeusbeyondtheshores.Ourlifewithwaterispartofourheritage,ourhistoryandourfuture.
OUR HERITAGE AS A TRADING NATION
OUR MODERN DAY WATER SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
OUR HISTORY OF PEARLING
8+HOTELS WITH PRIVATE BEACHES
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Asanation,weendeavourtodevelopandsustainourlifewithwaterforgenerationstocome,whileharvestingvaluetodayforindividuals,communitiesbusinessesandGovernment.Ourendeavourbringstolightanumberofchallengesthatneedtobeaddressed.EachchallengealsopresentsanopportunityfordevelopmentwhichwillcontributetotheBahrain2030Vision.
CHALLENGES WE FACE
OUR GOALS TO ACHIEVE
DEVELOP A CULTURE OF SWIMMING AND ENJOYING WATER
Whereeveryonehastheopportunitytolearnbasicswimming,avitalskillthatcouldonedaysavealife,whileenablinglifelongenjoymentofwater.
ENHANCE THE APPEAL OF WATER RELATED TOURISM
Wherebeaches,swimmingpools,waterparksandwateractivitiesaremademoreappealingandsaferfortouristsandaremarketedasdistinctdestinationvaluepropositions.
FOSTER RESPECT FOR COASTLINES AND MARINE HABITATS
Wherepeopletakeprideinandvaluenaturalandman-madewaterenvironmentsandtakeownershipofcaringforandsustainingthem.
REDUCE WATER-RELATED DEATH AND INJURY
Wheretherearemorepeopleparticipatinginandenjoyingwater-basedrecreationwithagreaterfocusonsafety,resultinginfewerdrowning-relateddeathsandinjuries.
PROMOTE VOLUNTEERISM AND SOCIAL COHESION
Wherepeoplefromdiversebackgroundscometogetherwithasharednationalidentityandresponsibilitytodevelopthecommunityandprospertogether.
Wehaveidentifiedgoalsthatweneedtoachievetoaddressthechallengesweface:
Thechallengeswefaceinclude:
1 Welosemanylivestodrowning
3 Ourpeoplehavelimitedopportunitiestolearnbasicswimmingskills
2 Wehavealimitedfocusonmonitoringandanalysingdrowning-relateddeathandinjury
4 Ourchildrendon’tlearnbasicswimminginGovernmentschools
5 Ourpeoplehaveminimalunderstandingofhowtobesafein,onandaroundwater
6 Ourpeoplehaveminimalfirstaidknowledgefordealingwithemergenciesaroundwater
8 Ourwater-craftuserslackunderstandingandrespectforsafety
7 Ourvisitorsfromtheregionoftenlackskillsandknowledgeforsaferecreationinwater
9 Ourpublicbeacheshavenolifeguardservicesorothersafetymeasures
10 Ourhotelslackastandard-isedapproachtomanagingsafetyinswimmingpoolsandatbeaches
11 Wehaveanumberofprivatepools,withandwithoutlicences,wheresafetyneedstobeimproved
13 Weneedtoprovidemorecareandrespectforourbeachesandwaterenvironments
12 Ouryouthhavelimitedopportunitiesforemploymentinwater-relatedfields
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Wehaveidentifiedstrategiesthatweneedtoimplementtoachieveourgoals.Thesestrategiesarebasedonacombinationofinternationalbestpracticeandlocalcontext.Therearefiveindependentstrategiesandthreeactivitiesthatspanallstrategies.Eachstrategyandactivityisdetailedinthefollowingsections.
OUR STRATEGIES TO IMPLEMENT
Strategies
TEACH SWIMMING
Teachpeoplefoundationskills
forswimmingandwatersafety
TRAIN IN FIRST AID
Trainpeopleinfirstaidandresuscitation
DEVELOP LIFESAVING
PEOPLE
Enableyouthdevelopment,volunteerismandcareersin
lifesaving
IMPROVE BOATING SAFETY
Improvesafetyforboatingandotherwatercraft
recreation
Activities
PROVIDE SAFE LOCATIONS
Providesafebeaches,pools
andotherlocationsforrecreating
inwater
RESEARCH AND EVALUATION
POLICY AND REGULATION
COMMUNICATION
8 9
People with foundation skills in swimming and water safety
People engaging in recreational swimming and
water-based activities
People engaging
in competitive swimming and
water-based activities
TEACH PEOPLE FOUNDATION SKILLS FOR SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY
Overview:
Apersonwithfoundationskillsinswimmingandwatersafetycanexperiencelifelongsafeenjoymentofthewaterandisequippedwithbasicskillstokeepthemselvesandotherssafe.Theseskills(seeExampleofFoundationSkills)areessentialforchildrenandadultsalike.
Inadditiontoincreasingone’ssafetyinwater,havingfoundationskillsinswimmingenablesanindividualtoaccessarangeofwater-basedrecreationandcompetitionopportunitiesthatcancontributepositivelytotheirhealthandwell-being.Aswedevelopmoreyouthwithfoundationskillsinswimming,thereispotentialformoreyouthtoprogressfurtherandachieveexcellenceinsports–seeProgressionPathway.
NotonlywilltheseskillsprovidethepeopleofBahrainabroaderrangeofwaystoenjoythebestourislandnationhastooffer,itwillencourageagreaterrespectforthenaturalenvironmentandinstiladesiretomaintainclean,healthyspacesforeveryonetoenjoy.
IncreasingtheswimmingcapabilityofthepopulationisessentialforrealisingtheeconomicandtourismbenefitsthatflowfromdevelopingwatersafetyinBahrain.
Example of Foundation Skills:
Apersonwithfoundationswimmingandwatersafetyskillsshouldbeableto:
1 Demonstrateknowledgeassociatedwithsafetyin,onandaroundwater.
2 Float,scullandtreadwatercontinuouslyfor1minute
3 Swimcontinuouslyfor50metresonfrontand/orback
4 Performatalk,reachandthrowrescue
5 Performasurvivalsequence*
6 Demonstratebasicemergencyresponseskills
7 Demonstrateknowledgeofresponsibleuseofwaterenvironments
*Survival sequence is the ability to recover from a fall into water in clothes by a) rotating from lying face down to lying on back b) floating, sculling and treading water for one minute c) swimming 25 metres to a point of safety and d) securing oneself, climbing out and exiting.
12 LESSONS 12lessonsofanhoureachisanindicationofthetimeittakestolearnfoundationskillsinswimmingandwatersafety.
Our actions will include:
1 Conductingafeasibilitystudythatwill:assessthecurrentleveloffoundationskillsinswimmingandwatersafetyinBahrain;identifyanybarriersandopportunitiesforlearningtheseskills;runpilotswimmingprogrammes;andmakerelevantrecommendations.
2 Establishinganationalprogrammeforteachingfoundationswimmingandwatersafetyskills,tailoredspecificallytomeetBahrain’sneedswithafocusonrespectingtheenvironment.
3 Incorporatingthenationalprogrammeintotheprimaryschoolcurriculumfordeliverytoallstudents.
4 Developingamarketsolutionwherethenationalprogrammeisaffordableandwidelyavailabletothepublicandvisitors.
5 Utilisingexistingpublicswimmingpools,hotelpools,privatepools,proposedswimmingpoolsinyouthcentresanddemarcatedbeachareasasvenuesforconductingprogrammes.
6 Developingandpromotingpathwaysthatprogressstudentsfromlearningfoundationskillsthroughtorecreationalswimming,water-relatedactivitiesandlifesavingprogrammes.
Progression Pathway
Byprovidingmorepeoplewithfoundationskillsatthebaseofthepyramid,morepeopleinturnwillpotentiallygoontorecreationalswimmingandwater-basedactivities,whichwillpotentiallyleadtodevelopinggreaterinterestincompetitiveswimmingandwater-basedactivities.
SCHOOLS ARE IDEAL SETTINGS FOR ENGAGING CHILDREN IN FOUNDATION SWIMMING.
ADULTS ARE NOT IMMUNE FROM DROWNING AND SHOULD ALSO BE TAUGHT KEY FOUNDATION SWIMMING AND WATER-SAFETY SKILLS.
FOUNDATION SWIMMING AND WATER-SAFETY SKILLS CAN BE TAUGHT IN DEMARCATED BEACH AREAS.
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PROVIDE SAFE BEACHES, POOLS AND OTHER LOCATIONS FOR RECREATION IN WATER
Overview:
Bahrain’sclimateisperfectforyear-roundrecreationinwater.Providingsafervenueswillmaximisetheappealofwater-basedactivityforeveryone,whetherresidentsortouristsandparticularlyforpeoplewhoarelessconfidentorfamiliarinwater.
Bahrain’sbeachescanbemadesaferwithlifesavingserviceswherelifeguardswithrescueequipmentmarkareasforswimmingandkeepawatchfuleyeonpatrons.Signscanbeplacedonbeachestocommunicatesafetyinformationtopatrons.Lifeguardscanalsogivepatronsadviceonsafetyandprovidereal-timebeachinformationtootheragenciessuchastheCoastGuard.
LifesavingservicesatbeachescanbestandardisedthroughoutBahraintoprovideaconsistentserviceforvisitors.Informationonlifesavingservicelocationsandhourscanbecommunicatedon-siteandthroughtailor-madeapps,socialmediaandtraditionalmedia.
Safetyatcommercialswimmingpoolscanbemanagedsimilarlythroughstandardisedlifesavingservices.Safetyguidelinescanbesetforpooloperators,whichincludesafetyassessmentsthatareconductedtodeterminesite-specificsafetymeasuresforeachfacility.
InternationalstandardsafetyequipmentandlifeguardtrainingcanbemadeavailableinBahrain.Youthcanbeprovidedemploymentopportunitiesthroughtraininginbeachandpoollifeguardingandvolunteeropportunitiescanbecreatedformembersofthecommunityastrainedbeachlifeguards.
Safetyathomeorinprivateswimmingpoolsisalsocrucial,particularlyforchildrenagedunderfive.Theseareascanbemanagedbyprovidingownersandrenterswithguidelinesandtoolsformanagingsafety.Thisincludestheneedtorestrictaccesstopoolsthroughappropriatefencingandgatesandforactivesupervision.
Our actions will include:
1 Establishingnationalguidelinesforsafetyatbeaches,poolsandotherwaterrecreationlocationsandrequiringallwaterwayoperatorstocomplywiththeguidelines.
2 Providingserviceswherewaterwayoperatorscanaccessadviceandsupportoncomplyingwithnationalsafetyguidelines,lifeguardservices,lifesavingtrainingandequipment.
3 Ensuringcomplianceamongoperatorsbyusingguidelines,independentassessmentsandenforcementprotocols.
4 Developinginnovativemarketsolutionswhereprivatepoolsaremadesaferwhileprovidingbenefitstoownersandthecommunity.
5 Includingwatersafetypractices,accomplishmentsandotherrelatedinformationindestinationmarketingstrategiesfortourism.
6 ProvidingswimmingandotherwatersafetyrelatedprogrammesfortouristswithafocusonvisitingfamiliesfromGulfCooperationCouncilstates.
LIFEGUARDS IN BAHRAIN CAN BE TRAINED TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
APPS ARE USED TO SHARE INFORMATION ON BEACH SAFETY FOR RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS.
LIFEGUARDS KEEP BEACHES SAFE BY IDENTIFYING SAFE PLACES TO SWIM, EDUCATING VISITORS AND PERFORMING RESCUES AND FIRST AID.
POOL SAFETY CAN BE IMPROVED BY PROVIDING GUIDELINES ON THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND BEST PRACTICES IN AQUATIC FACILITY OPERATION.
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TRAIN PEOPLE IN FIRST AID AND RESUSCITATION
Overview:
ItisarealityanyonemayrequirefirstaidandCardioPulmonaryResuscitation(CPR)assistanceanywhereandatanytime,onlandorinwater.Providingpeoplewithglobalbest-practiceskillsinfirstaidandresuscitationwillvastlyimprovethesafetyofpeopleacrossBahrain.
FirstaidandCPRaretwoofthemostcommonlydeliveredemergencycarecoursesworldwide.Eachcourseiscarefullydesignedtoequippeoplewiththeknowledgeandskillsrequiredtoprovideassistancetoasickorinjuredpersonuntilprofessionalmedicalhelparrives.
Bycreatinginterestinandunderstandingoftheimportanceoflearningemergencyresponseskills,itishopedthatmorepeoplewillengageinfirstaidandCPRtrainingtobecomeEverydayLifesavers.
RecognitionthatanyonecanbeanEverydayLifesaverandtheroleanindividualcanplayinanemergencycouldmeanthedifferencebetweenlifeanddeath.Acommunityequippedwiththeseskillswillbemoreresilientasaresultofsharedresponsibility,empowermentandself-reliance.
TrainingpeopleinfirstaidandCPRshouldbesupplementedbymakingAutomatedExternalDefibrillators(AED)availableinpubliclocations.AnEverydayLifesaverwithaccesstoanAEDcanimprovethechanceofsurvivalofcardiacarrestby60%.
ItisimportanttoidentifykeytargetgroupsandprioritisethesegroupsfortraininginfirstaidandCPR.Targetgroupsmayincludewomen,peopleworkinginchildcare,retailandpublicspacessuchasairports,mallsandstadiums.
Our actions will include:
1 Establishingnationallyrecognisedqualificationsinfirstaidandresuscitationandrequiringthesequalificationstobeheldbytargetedjobtypesinthelabourmarket.
2 Incorporatingbasicfirstaidandresuscitationeducationintheschoolcurriculumanddeliveringittoallstudentsthroughinnovativeprogrammes.
3 Developingamarketsolutionwherelearningfirstaidandresuscitationisattractive,affordableandwidelyavailabletothepublic.
4 CreatingasystemwherepeoplewhoassistinemergenciesarerecordedandrecognisedasEverydayLifesavers.
5 Developinginnovativeresourcesthatcanbeusedbythepublictohelpinemergencies.
6 ProvidingaccesstoAutomatedExternalDefibrillatorsintargetedlocations.
ANYONE CAN BE AN EVERYDAY LIFESAVER IF THEY HAVE THE SKILLS TO ACT QUICKLY AND SAFELY TO PREVENT INJURY OR PROVIDE FIRST AID TO SOMEONE IN NEED.
A FIRST AID APP TAKES THE GUESSWORK OUT OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS TO MAXIMISE THE OUTCOME FOR A SICK OR INJURED PERSON.
AN APP WILL BE DEVELOPED THAT PROVIDES A MAP OF THE LOCATIONS OF ALL PUBLIC ACCESS DEFIBRILLATORS.
THE EVERYDAY LIFESAVER APP BRINGS WATER SAFETY AND RESUSCITATION EDUCATION TO THE CLASSROOM.
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ENABLE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, VOLUNTEERISM AND CAREERS IN LIFESAVING
Overview:
Bahrain’slifesavingserviceswillrequirelifesavingvolunteersandemployeestoensuretheongoingsafetyofourbeaches,poolsandotherwaterlocations.
Alifesavingvolunteercantakemanyrolesandanyonecanbecomeinvolved.Volunteerscanbetrainedlifeguards,assistinsupportrolessuchascommunicationsandcoordination,orprovidegeneralsupportasrequired.
Thebenefitsofbeingalifesavingvolunteerarefar-reaching.Itisanopportunitytolearnnewskills,createclosecommunitylinkages,improvefitnessanddevelopfriendships.
TherearealsofantasticbenefitsforyoungBahrainistobecomeinvolvedinlifesaving.DevelopingyounglifesavingvolunteerswillcontributetoimprovingthenationalidentityofBahrainisandprovideopportunitiesfornurturingleadersinthecommunity.
Lifesavingalsoprovidesexcitingyouthcareerspathways,leadingtoincreasedjobopportunitiesforBahrainislocallyandinternationally.Forexample,studentsmaychoosetoworkaslifeguardswhilecompletingtertiarystudiesorgainemploymentaslifeguardsinthetourismsector.
ThedevelopmentandstandardisationoflifesavingservicesforcommercialpoolswillresultinfurtheremploymentandcareeropportunitiesforBahrainisinlifesavingandwater-relatedrecreation.
Our actions will include:
1 Recognisinglifesavingqualificationsinthenationalqualificationsframeworkandlifesavingjobtypesinlabourmarketclassifications.
2 Aligningandsynergisinglifesavingqualifications,volunteerrolesandcareerpathwaysintheNationalYouthDevelopmentStrategy.
3 Developingavolunteertraining,resourcinganddeploymentprogrammeatbeacheswithlifesavingservices.
4 CreatingasystemwherevolunteersarerecordedandrecognisedasEverydayLifesavers.
5 Creatinganentryleveltomanagementlifesavingcareerpathwaysinthetourismandemergencyservicesectors.
6 DevelopinginternationalexchangeprogrammesthatbringinternationallifesavingpersonneltoBahrainandsendBahrainlifesavingpersonneloverseas.
VOLUNTEERS ARE TRAINED TO MEET NATIONAL LIFESAVING QUALIFICATIONS.
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO VOLUNTEER. PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT SKILLS CAN HELP IN DIFFERENT WAYS.
LIFEGUARD EMPLOYMENT AND VOLUNTEERING PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS.
1716
IMPROVE SAFETY FOR BOATING AND OTHER PERSONAL WATERCRAFT-BASED RECREATION
Overview:
Bahrain’swarmwatersinviteresidentsandvisitorsaliketoenjoyavastarrayofwatercraft-basedrecreation.
Fromboatingorsailingwithfamilyandfriendstowakeboarding,jetskiingandwindsurfingalongthebeach,Bahrain’scoastlineprovideseasyaccesstowater-basedactivities.Thereissomethingforeveryone.
Whileparticipationinboatingandotherwatercraft-basedrecreationisencouraged,therearealsoassociatedinherentrisks.Therefore,itisimportantthatuniformsafetystandardsforboatandotherwatercraftoperationandwaterwaymanagementareembracedandupheld.
Withthenation’swaterwaysoftenbusywithavarietyofdifferentwatercraftandactivities,itisimportantthateveryoneusingwatercrafthasknowledgeofrulesandregulationstoensureeveryone’ssafety.Requiringrecreationalboatandpersonalwatercraftuserstoobtainappropriatelicenceswillensurethatbeforeoperatingavesselonthewater,peoplehaveappropriateknowledgeofthelegalresponsibilitiesforsafeoperation,necessarysafetyequipmentandwhattodoinanemergency.
Ofparticularimportanceistheneedtoenforcelifejacketwearamongrecreationalboatersandwatercraftusers.Researchhasdemonstratedtheeffectivenessoflifejacketsinsavingliveswhenboating.RegulatingtheiruseisthereforeofparamountimportanceformakingBahrainsafer.
Our actions will include:
1 SupportingtheCoastGuardtoincreasepublicawarenessofboatingandpersonalwatercraftsafety.
2 Embeddingsafetymessagingaboutboatingintoalllifesavingprogrammes.
3 Engagingindialogueandadvocacytodevelopsafetymeasuresforwater-relatedrecreationandsportingactivities.
4 EnablinglifeguardsatbeachestocommunicatesafetyrelatedinformationtoCoastGuardandotheragencies.
ENFORCING LIFEJACKET WEAR HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED TO VASTLY IMPROVE SAFETY AND PREVENT BOATING-RELATED DROWNING DEATHS.
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RESEARCH AND EVALUATION Werecognisetheimportanceofresearchtoprovideanevidencebasetocontinuallyinformourgoalsandstrategies.Evaluationofeachgoal,strategy,programmeandinitiativewithineachstrategywillalsoensureongoingimprovementandwillinformdecision-making.
Researchandevaluationwillbeusedtoprioritisetheactionswithineachstrategy,identifywhichpartnersarebestplacedtoimplementeachactionandidentifytheeffectivenessofprogrammesandinitiativesimplemented.ThelearningsfromtheevaluationwillbeusedtohelpimproveexistingprogrammesandinitiativesanddevelopthenextstepsintheBahrainWaterSafetyStrategy.Ourpriorityforthis,ourfirstBahrainWaterSafetyStrategy,istoputinplacetheappropriatesystemstocapturethemostaccuratedataandestablishabenchmarkuponwhichwecanmonitorandevaluateeachactionwithinourstrategy.
Examples include:
Developingadatabaseforcollectionofdrowningandotherwater-relatedinjuryincidents.
ConductingafeasibilitystudytodeterminethecurrentstatusoffoundationskillsinswimmingandwatersafetyinBahrain.
Monitoringandreportingoncomplianceofoperatorswithnationalguidelinesforsafetyatbeaches,poolsandotherwater-recreationlocations.
Monitoringandreportingtheuptakeofqualificationsinfirstaidandresuscitationaswellasincidentswherepeoplehaveassistedinemergencies,includingtheusedofautomatedexternaldefibrillatorsintargetedlocations.
Developingasystemtomonitorrescuesandfirstaidconductedbyvolunteerlifesaversandpaidlifeguardsatbeachesandswimmingpools.
Evaluatingtheeffectivenessofpublicawarenesscampaignsonwatersafety,firstaidandresuscitationandboatingsafety.
POLICY AND REGULATIONPolicyandregulationareimportantcomponentstomovefromchangingbeliefs,attitudesandintentionstobehaviourchange.Werecognisethatlong-termbehaviourchangeismostlikelywhenpotentialconstraintsaswellascostsandbenefitsareevaluatedtoensurethemostappropriate,sophisticatedandcomprehensivepoliciesandregulationsareputinplace.
Examples include:
Incorporatingthefoundationskillsinswimmingandwatersafetyintotheprimaryschoolcurriculumfordeliverytoallstudents.
Establishingnationalguidelinesforsafetyatbeaches,poolsandotherwater-basedrecreationlocations.
OUR ACTIVITIES
Ensuringcomplianceamongwaterwayoperatorsusingguidelines,independentassessmentsandenforcementprotocols.
Establishingnationallyrecognisedqualificationsinfirstaidandresuscitation.
Incorporatingbasicfirstaidandresuscitationeducationintotheschoolcurriculum.
Recognisinglifesavingqualificationsinthenationalqualificationsframework.
Regulatingdesignatedboatingzones.
Mandatingtheuseoflifejacketsoncertaintypesofwatercraft.
COMMUNICATION Effectivecommunicationatalllevels,internallyandexternally,iskeytosuccessfulimplementationoftheBahrainWaterSafetyStrategy.Werecognisetheneedforregular,clearcommunicationthroughoutthevariousstagesofthestrategy.Throughouttheprocesstherewillbeopportunitiesforstakeholdersatalllevelstoprovideinputandensurecommunicationisasharedprocess.KeyprioritiesaretocommunicatetheoverallstrategyandwhythereisaneedforBahraintohaveaWaterSafetyStrategyalongwiththedevelopmentofcommunicationsplansforrelevantactions.
Creatingawarenessisthereforethefirststep,followedbytargetingbehaviouralchange.Keyfactorsforsuccessareensuringcommunicationismulti-focusedandmulti-organisationalwithacombinationofbroadandtargetedcommunicationsincluding:generalpublicawarenesspromotion,targetedprogrammesandservicedevelopmentusingacollaborativeapproachbetweengovernmentministries,organisationsandthecommunity.
Differentcommunicationsstrategieswillbeemployedincludingadvertising,publicrelationsandmultilingualcommunication.Evidence-basedresearchwillbeusedtoguidecommunicationplansandtohelpidentifypriorities,keytargetgroupsorstakeholders,informactions,ortorevieworevaluatestrategies.
Examples include:
Publicawarenessraisingtopromotepathwaystoprogressstudentsfromlearningfoundationskillstorecreationalswimming,waterrelatedactivitiesandlifesavingprogrammes.
Communicatingwithstakeholderstodevelopnationalguidelinesforsafetyatbeaches,poolsandotherwater-recreationlocations.
Communicatingnewrequirementsregardingcompliancewithnationalguidelinesaswellasservicesthatprovidestakeholderswithaccesstocompliance-relatedadviceandsupport.
Publicawarenesscampaignsaboutwatersafetyandrelatedinformationindestinationmarketingfortourism.
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