You’re never too old to learn how to swim and be safe in the water – that’s the message to Sunbury landlubbers with the latest Grey Medallion course coming up soon.
Hume mayor Helen Patsikatheodorou said the six-week course, co-ordinated by Life Saving Victoria, could be the lifesaver seniors need.
“Sixty residents passed the course last year, and each participant learnt ways that could help them to prevent a tragic drowning,” Cr Patsikatheodorou said.
“It is completely free to take part in the course, which helps senior citizens to practice the correct way to resuscitate a person.”
Sunbury Aquatic and Leisure Centre’s next program starts on October 4.
The course also teaches people how to survive in water, as well as honing swimming skills.
“We want senior citizens to enjoy healthy and independent lives,” Cr Patsikatheodorou said.
“The mainland of Australia is an island, and we’re regularly surrounded by water on our holidays.
“People need to know how to survive in a waterway. It can take just a few seconds for a terrible tragedy to occur.”
In 2014-15, 39 people drowned in Victoria.
Of those, the incidence of people aged 65 and more drowning increased by 17 per cent on the previous year.
Information: www.bit.ly/2cD7iWB
