The Lifesaving Society’s ‘Swim to Survive’ program, which teaches Grade 3 children the basic swimming skills necessary to survive a fall into deep water, has been approved by Quebec’s liberal government.
According to a report by the CBC, the decision to start the program, which was piloted in several schools in Quebec two years ago, comes after a spike in recent drownings that have already occurred this year. This announcement also coincides with the Lifesaving Society’s recent announcement of its Swim to Survive+ program, a similar training initiative geared towards adolescents.
“Swim to survive will initially roll out on a voluntary basis,” Education Minister Michelle Courchesne told Radio-Canada. “First we’ll start with schools that are interested in offering it, but we’ll provide good incentives—that is, covering a certain portion of the costs.”
The program is slated for the 2012-2013 school year with initial operation costs estimated between $1 and $1.5-million. The program comprises three one-hour lessons aimed at teaching children how to roll into water by mimicking falling situations, as well as treading water and swimming 50 m (164 ft).
