Deaf students collaborate with RNLI to deliver bespoke training

Students from the Deaf Academy partnered with the local RNLI to deliver a bespoke Deaf Awareness training session focusing on water safety.

The training took place in the lead up to Deaf Awareness week (5th – 9th May), which highlights the communication barriers faced by Deaf individuals and their impact on accessing vital information that can be life-saving. 

The students, aged 19 and upwards, taught RNLI lifeguards BSL (British Sign Language) phrases essential for water safety, as well as key communication tips. These tools allow lifeguards to communicate effectively with Deaf individuals, ensuring water safety for all, especially as the summer months approach.  

In return, the RNLI lifeguards shared crucial safety guidance to help our students protect themselves in water environments. 

Mark Stocks, Partnerships and Community Manager, said: ‘We are very grateful that our local RNLI lifeguards joined us for Deaf Awareness and some basic BSL training with our Post 19 students at the Academy, as well as delivering some water safety and beach awareness to them. We look forward to further such inclusive community collaborations as we approach our 200 year anniversary.’

‘This partnership emphasises the importance of accessible communication and encourages individuals, businesses and organisations to become more Deaf-aware. Together, we advocate for an inclusive and safe community for everyone.’

Tim Treloar, RNLI Water Safety Education Manager said: ‘Educating children and young people about water safety is fundamental to saving lives at sea and a core part of the RNLI’s prevention work.  It was a real privilege to deliver this essential life skill to students at the Academy.  In return for our water safety training, our lifeguard teams were given an incredible opportunity to learn some key BSL phrases which could be crucial to keeping beach goers safe. These phrases can be shared across the RNLI to enhance the opportunity to communicate with Deaf individuals to ensure everyone has a safe day at the beach.’  

‘Last week (2 May) the RNLI lifeguards returned to the Academy to deliver a bespoke Meet the Lifeguards session using much of the BSL they learnt earlier during their previous visit.’ 

Tim added: ‘This programme is very important to us leading up to the summer season where we see so many families bring their children to the wonderful beaches in this area. It encourages families to plan their visit and to choose a lifeguarded beach.’  

‘We teach children how to Float to Live, the risks in the water and on the beach, and how to seek help in an emergency. We aim to increase children’s awareness of the potential dangers that exist around the coast, such as being aware of the weather conditions and changing tides, along with the ability to identify beach flags.’