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(By Rawanne Fadool & Alysa Greer – Bond University Journalism Students)
A natural disaster survival team demonstrated flood survival techniques to Varsity Lakes residents, last week.
The Survival and Rescue Program aimed to teach effective ways authorities and individuals could reduce the impact of flood damage.
Australian advanced coach for the Survival and Rescue Program Trudy Holt said flooding was one of the most frequent natural hazards that threaten the lives and economic well-being of Australians.
“In emergency situations, it is important to know how to save your life,” said Mrs Holt.
“We aim to teach people the basic survival techniques of defensive swimming and aggressive swimming.”
Survival and Rescue Speaker Stuart Key said they demonstrated defensive swimming techniques, which were to not resist the current but to point your feet downstream to a bank or edge.
“Aggressive swimming is to swim and pull yourself over the object in the water, keeping your feet at water level,” Mr Key said.
The Survival and Rescue team travel to different locations demonstrating cross-training and team building strategies to help them prepare for potential disaster situations.
Lifeguard Yutaka Kuchiki demonstrated in Lake Orr how to survive in the water if caught in a flood.
“It is important to not panic and gain the skills required in order to save your life,” said Mr Kuchiki.
Mrs Holt said it was vital for all residents to own a survival kit that consisted of torch with a siren and radio, whistle, duct tape, ten metre rope and a bottle of water.
Trudy Holt said natural disasters claim thousands of lives every year around the world and it is important people know basic survival techniques.
For more information on the Survival and Rescue Program, visit www.surfcoach.net.au
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