Compulsory swimming Lessons Australia- Persuasive
Do you know how to swim? Unfortunately 1 in 5 Australian children who graduate from primary school have never been taught to swim, and consequently are not prepared if faced with life threatening situations in the water. By introducing compulsory swimming lessons the Government of South Australia would be benefiting all primary school children by ensuring they obtain adequate water safety skills, whilst also encouraging physical activity and the development of social skills and self-confidence.
In 2012, Royal Life Saving SA recorded 45 drowning of people aged between 5 & 24, making drowning the second leading cause of death for people in this age category. Regrettably, over half of these tragic drowning’s could have been prevented if sufficient swimming skills were obtained. Today an estimated 600,000 young adults are ‘ticking time bombs’ at risk of drowning. It is feared this figure will double.
Drowning is preventable. To avoid the terrifying doubling of drowning, action is needed to be taken. By ensuring swimming lessons are compulsory for all primary school children, the Government of South Australia would be providing children the opportunity to develop vital, lifelong skills. These skills have the potential to save their own life or the lives of others, subsequently decreasing the heartbreaking number of Australian drowning.
As well as saving lives, compulsory swimming lessons would also promote a healthy level of physical activity amongst participating children. In Australia, 1 in 4 children are classified overweight or obese. This alarming fact needs to be improved and is a result of the rare encouragement children receive to participate in physical activity. Personal trainers and physicians agree that swimming is a terrific cardiovascular workout. It would therefore be beneficial to the health of all primary school children if the SA Department for Education and Child Development introduces and encourages participation in compulsory swimming lessons.
In 2012, Royal Life Saving SA recorded 45 drowning of people aged between 5 & 24, making drowning the second leading cause of death for people in this age category. Regrettably, over half of these tragic drowning’s could have been prevented if sufficient swimming skills were obtained. Today an estimated 600,000 young adults are ‘ticking time bombs’ at risk of drowning. It is feared this figure will double.
Drowning is preventable. To avoid the terrifying doubling of drowning, action is needed to be taken. By ensuring swimming lessons are compulsory for all primary school children, the Government of South Australia would be providing children the opportunity to develop vital, lifelong skills. These skills have the potential to save their own life or the lives of others, subsequently decreasing the heartbreaking number of Australian drowning.
As well as saving lives, compulsory swimming lessons would also promote a healthy level of physical activity amongst participating children. In Australia, 1 in 4 children are classified overweight or obese. This alarming fact needs to be improved and is a result of the rare encouragement children receive to participate in physical activity. Personal trainers and physicians agree that swimming is a terrific cardiovascular workout. It would therefore be beneficial to the health of all primary school children if the SA Department for Education and Child Development introduces and encourages participation in compulsory swimming lessons.