LSV’s lifesaving education programs create ‘Everyday Lifesavers’ out of Victorian children, by teaching them practical and engaging water safety, lifesaving, healthy living and emergency response skills. These skills empower participants to make safe aquatic related decisions while enjoying their local waterways.
Bush Nippers is a regional and rural inland adaptation to coastal nipper education programs and our successful open water learning experience/ lifesaving education programs, which aims to build lifesaving and water safety knowledge and skills of children aged 5 to 14 years in open water environments.
Programs are offered at any location – whether that’s the beach, river, lake or pool. LSV’s Education team can deliver the programs or alternatively, we have a range of partners, supported by LSV. They are designed to be offered as progressive learning experiences, suitable for all abilities.
The bush nipper education program pilot was funded through the Victorian Government and forms part of the Public Water Safety Initiative.
To take a look at programs we have run in the past, have a look at the video from Campaspe Shire Council.
Duration:
Most programs run for 1-2 hours each day over 3-5 days and will depend on locations. We can tailor something that works best with your organisation.
Cost:
Our venues, locations and participants are diverse and varied – contact us for up to date prices!
Activities:
Introduction to lifesaving
Participants, and their parents/caregivers/guardians, will be welcomed by the instructor, and introduced to the aquatic location and the group.
Survival swimming
Practise the skills to survive an unexpected fall into deep (open) water, including entry/exit techniques, floating, gliding, sculling and treading water
Rescue strategies
Practise different types of non-swimming rescue techniques, to assist someone in trouble in the water
Everyday Lifesaver
Learn the emergency response sequence, DRSABCD.
Be aware and be prepared
Gain the knowledge and skills to keep safe across a variety of different aquatic settings
Staying fit & healthy
Learn the importance of establishing a healthy mind and body for the safe enjoyment of aquatic activities
My community
Recognise the connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have to the land and water and look at ways to maximise local community interaction with aquatic environments.
Survival strategies
Learn how to correctly fit and wear a lifejacket, along with the HELP and HUDDLE survival positions.
Safe boarding
Lifesavers use boards to rescue people in the water. In this activity, participants will use boards to practise the basic skills required to assist a swimmer in trouble.
Beach flags/ sprints
Learn how to sprint efficiently over a short distance, which is essential when trying to help someone in an emergency situation.
Ironman/ Ironwoman
Combine running, swimming and board skills to complete an Iron relay race.
Life Saving Victoria are accepting expressions of interest from interested parties to deliver our lifesaving education programs (including bush nippers). There are limited opportunities which will be reviewed and accepted based on a number of factors (timing, location, experience, capacity).
By becoming one of our delivery partners, you will help impart vital water safety skills for Victorian children.
What does a delivery partner have to do, what’s the process?
Furthermore, LSV will provide support to approved partners over a 3-year delivery model to build sustainability including:
Location assessment
Program delivery
Training
Resources
Planning guidance
Marketing and promotion
Grant seeking assistance
Lifesaving education programs can be delivered at various locations.
River
Beach
Lake or Reservoir
Pool
Help us achieve our aim for every child to have access to water safety, swimming and resuscitation through lifesaving education programs.
