This project set out to train first responders in the Namayingo District in Uganda in water safety, rescue procedures, immediate response / first aid and first safety management.
This project was developed to strengthen community capacities to prevent and promptly respond to life threatening emergencies involving drowning and fire incidents in, on and around Lake Victoria in the Namayingo District. Swim Safe Uganda and Uganda Police Directorate of Fire Prevention and Rescue Service have worked together to provide training for community first responders in water and fire safety, emergency care and improve their response knowledge and skills.
Following receipt of the Rotary District Grant in October 2022, a training needs assessment was carried out in Namayingo district on 19th October 2022 and 25th October 2022. The findings were used to further tailor the training content for the program. The 10-day training was conducted on 7 – 17 November 2022, at Lugala landing site-Banda Sub County. The training attracted 90 candidates of whom 68 were able to complete the training and were certified as community first responders. The participants composed of 7 female and 61 male of which 50 were youths aged 18 – 35yrs and 18 were adults above 35yrs. The participants; successfully completed all aspects of training in water and fire safety, aquatic rescue and pre hospital care. The training was theoretical and practical using classroom learning and case scenario simulations.
The training objectives included:
- CPR
- First Aid
- Water & fire safety aimed at prevention strategies to reduce critical incidents in, on and around water
- Survival swimming and aquatic rescue skills
- Develop rescue and recovery skills of first responders to assist those affected by a water related emergency
PROJECT OUTCOMES
- Improved understanding of water safety practices
- Improved understanding of fire safety practices
- Improved fitness and knowledge living on and around water
- Improved knowledge on the use of rescue requirements
- Provided knowledge on using portable fire extinguishers and water pumps.
- Significantly improved the capacity for rescue and promote recovery during and post incidents on and around water
- Expected outcome of Enhanced deliverables to local communities by trained personnel
- Expected reduction in preventable deaths by drowning
The nature of this training and the support received from the local government and community stakeholders demonstrates the relevance and need for this training in the region. It is no longer acceptable for people to drown due to the lack of training and resources that are readily available. As Rotarians it is our role to support communities in need especially where there is a solution at hand. In April 2021 the UN resolution A/RES/75/273 declared drowning as the No. 1 cause of PREVENTABLE deaths in the world; This leaves us with no doubt about the importance of our work ensuring local communities are aware of the dangers, have skills to manage the danger and resources to assist when and where there is a need. SwimSafe Uganda is a leader in lifesaving and training for aquatic emergency response personel. This training has equipped community first responders with the skill to deliver as required and train other community members in these skills.
Swim Safe Uganda & the GWSDPRC takes this opportunity to thank the stakeholders that have partnered in 2022. This training has outlined the need for ongoing research, community sensitization, policy advocacy and refresher trainings.
