With funding from Australia, specialist trainers from Surf Life Saving Tasmania travelled to Samoa this month to run the country's first ever bronze medallion surf life saving course.
More than 45 Samoans, including 25 local villagers, members of Samoa's newly formed AusAID funded Volunteer Emergency Response Team (VERTS), Fire and Emergency Services and maritime police took part in the week-long course. The bronze medallion training followed the successful Australian initiated 'first responder' and water awareness training run last year along Samoa's tsunami affected south coast.
Surf life Saving Tasmania General Manager, Tony van den Enden, who ran last year's training, returned to Samoa with two trainers to stage the bronze medallion course. He said the additional training is crucial for local villagers as they are generally the first responders when visitors and family members get into trouble in the water.
"Despite Samoa's postcard perfect beaches, with water comes danger. What Samoa and the Pacific is lesser known for is the unacceptably high incidence of drowning among both locals and tourists, either through one or a combination of misadventure, ignorance of the dangerous currents, and unpatrolled beaches and waterways," said Tony.
"The surf life saving training covered first aid, rescue techniques, team work and surf awareness, and we hope that by giving Samoans essential surf life saving skills, it will help prevent drownings and keep the beaches safe."
Course participant Otele Samuele has already put his initial first responder training to good use.
"Over the Christmas holidays, my friend Mika and I saved two tourists who got into trouble while swimming and were carried out to sea by the strong current. They couldn't make it back to the beach, but we used the skills we learnt last year to rescue the swimmers and bring them safely back to shore. The extra training through the bronze medallion course has taught me a lot more, especially ways to handle an emergency situation and I'm pretty confident that I can rescue anyone that gets into trouble in the water," said Otele.
Local volunteer Folau Swerling is now keen to pursue a career in surf life saving after the week long training.
"I see a big need for it in Samoa especially since our beaches are our main attraction. I think it will make tourists feel safer knowing there is an experienced life saver on hand in case of an emergency," Folau said.
Australia's High Commissioner to Samoa, Matt Anderson, said AusAID is supporting the surf life saving training through the VERTS.
"Following the 2009 tsunami, AusAID provided A$700,000 to the Samoan Government to establish the VERTS to better respond to natural disasters and emergencies," said Matt.
"Under the initiative, there is a strong focus on water safety. In April this year, two Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development will arrive in Samoa to expand surf life saving in the country. If we can save just one life from this training, it will have been worth it."