AusLeisure

The International Federation of Swimming Teachers Associations (IFSTA) has announced the election of Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA) Chief Executive Ross Gage as its new Vice President.

Announced this week at the IFSTA World Conference in the Netherlands, Gage's Vice Presidency will see him assume responsibility ISFTA activities in Asia and Oceania.

Speaking after his election, Gage told Australasian Leisure Management "my election is a measure of the esteem with which ASCTA is viewed by contemporaries around the world.

"I am honoured to have been chosen and will continue to work with my colleagues worldwide to try to reduce the significant loss of life by drowning and to improve the delivery of education and training to swimming and water safety teachers."

IFSTA, whose 2012 world meeting will be hosted by ASCTA in Australia, makes an enormous contribution to water safety worldwide through:

• 1,020,000 members;
• 830,000 swimmers trained and certified every year;
• 27,185 swimming teacher/instructor members worldwide;
• 10,135 Examiners/Assessors worldwide;
• 14,000 swimming and water safety Teachers and swimming coaches newly trained every year.

The latest report into worldwide drowning was published by World Health Organisation showed that 403,000 persons drowned in 2002. This equates to 8% of all deaths due to injuries, both intentional and unintentional. While the drowning rate for Australia declined for many years, recent trends have seen a turnaround.

ASCTA, via its Swim Australia SwimSAFER program, promotes four layers of protection for young children, recognising that they are the most vulnerable section of our community. While no measure can ever guarantee that children are safe in, on or around water; application of the four layers will improve protection. The four layers are:

• Constant and vigilant adult Supervision
• Provide Barriers such as pool fencing and self-closing gates
• Participate in swimming and water safety lessons
• Plan for emergencies - know how to respond. Can you provide assistance and CPR and call for help?

For more information go to www.ifsta.co.uk/

10th September 2009 - AUSTRALIAN LIFESAVERS TO AID JAPAN

2nd April 2008 - DROWNING BIGGEST KILLER OF ASIAN CHILDREN

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