The Nationals WA Leader Mia Davies has praised the latest heroes to be recognised for bravery, saying their efforts showed the importance of learning life-saving skills.
More than 40 Royal Life Saving Bravery Awards were presented at the State Reception Centre last Friday and Ms Davies said recipients were outstanding individuals who took extraordinary actions to help others.
“These community members are wonderful examples of how knowing life-saving techniques is vitally important when an unexpected situation arises,” Ms Davies said.
“They highlight that emergencies can occur anywhere, anytime and having more people in the community equipped with the right skills means it is more likely lives will not be tragically lost.”
Ms Davies, who is Vice Patron of Royal Life Saving WA, said the bravery awards were also a reminder about water safety.
This year’s recipients are from a variety of age groups and were involved in a range incidents, including water rescues.
“The 2019 National Drowning Report stated more than 60 per cent of WA’s drowning deaths occurred in the warmer months of spring and summer during 2018-19,” Ms Davies said
“Also, the report put a spotlight on water activity in the country with regional people 2.3 times more likely to drown than those in the metropolitan area.
“That’s why I have been vocal on the importance of maintaining affordable and accessible VacSwim programs across the State this coming summer, particularly in regional locations.”
Ms Davies said with many bravery award going to young children – one as young as four – this year, it showed age was no barrier to learning valuable lifesaving skills.
“Anyone in the community can be a life saver and one of the best ways to do this is make sure you know the basics of first aid and raising the alarm when an emergency breaks out,” she said.
“I encourage everyone in the community to take any opportunity they can to equip themselves with the skills they might one day need to help save a life.”
For more information about 2019 Bravery Award winners or to find out how you can build on your lifesaving skillset visit https://royallifesavingwa.com.au.
