What is it about?
This paper provides an evidence base for shifting the emphasis in drowning prevention from swimming skill to a much more inclusive concept of water competence. It is defined as the sum of all personal aquatic movements that help prevent drowning as well as the associated water safety knowledge, attitudes, values, judgment and behaviors that facilitate safety in, on and around the water.
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Why is it important?
It is important to recognize that "drowning is a significant, complex, and multifaceted phenomenon, which has at its heart, the way in which humans interact with their aquatic environment" (Moran, 2009). It follows that drowning prevention is also complex and not resolved by simplistic notions that being able to swim equates to being water safe. This shift from the traditional learn-to-swim approach is especially important to swim instructors and teachers.
Perspectives
Water safety is best taught and promoted using a holistic approach that requires the acquisition of practical competencies be grounded in related cognitive (thinking) and affective (behavioural) competencies that support safe engagement in aquatic environments, both intentional and unintentional.
Kevin Moran
University of Auckland
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: From Swimming Skill to Water Competence: Towards a More Inclusive Drowning Prevention Future, International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education, October 2017, Bowling Green State University Libraries,
DOI: 10.25035/ijare.10.02.03.
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