IN THIS ISSUE: Themes-in-Focus Spotlight, Opening Day – Tuesday 10 May 2011, Awards
Interactive Tours Thursday 12 May  - Cycle Tour: Water Hazards and Risk in rural Asia, Green Plaza Hotel Danang

THEMES-IN-FOCUS SPOTLIGHT
Each of the coming issues of the conference newsletter will feature one of the conference themes. The feature will highlight some of the presentations to be given at the conference and will explain the importance of that theme in respect to drowning prevention.

This issue looks at Advances in Lifesaving.

Lifesaving and lifeguarding have long been recognised as effective ways to prevent drowning in aquatic facilities and in open water locations such as surf beaches. The development of standards and techniques used by lifesaving and lifeguarding agencies worldwide has always been the mainstay of International Life Saving Federation activities.

Lifesavers from across the world will use the conference and especially the Advances in Lifesaving presentations to update and promote their skills, equipment, achievements, and to seek ideas for improvement.

The Advances in Lifesaving stream will focus on:

• • Advancing the science of lifesaving and lifeguarding
• • Systems technologies, techniques and treatment
• • Lifesaving for people with disabilities and/or special needs
• • Training and education
• • Lifeguard management and career paths
• • International standards, global development and implementation

This area of the program will hold tremendous value for participants, speakers and conference partners alike. Whether your service is leading the world, or you are committed to increasing its effectiveness, the program will provide many learning and networking opportunities.

Below is a selection of the Advances in Lifesaving Theme-in-Focus presentations, the author and the author’s organisation.

‘Evidenced based standards in lifesaving: The conclusions of the US Lifeguard Standards Coalition’ – Dr Peter Wernicki, USLA

‘Measurements of rip current flow and swimmer behaviour in Australian rip current systems using low-cost GPS: implications for beach safety’ – Dr Robert Brander, University of New South Wales

‘Reducing rip current drownings: lessons from interviews with rip current survivors’ – Dr Danielle Drozdzewski, University of New South Wales

‘Surveillance and detection rates of beach lifeguards’ – Dr Jenny Page, University of Portsmouth

‘What are we selling? – The knowledge to save your life. A public education strategy for rip currents’ – Mr Matthew Thompson, Surf Life Saving Australia

‘Why were you swimming there? Analysis of risky swimming behaviour on Australian beaches’ – Prof Anne Williamson, NSW Injury Risk Management

‘Improving beach safety: The Science of the Surf (SOS) research project’ – Dr Julie Hatfield, NSW Injury Risk Management

‘Dynamics of Rip Currents and Implications for Beach Safety (DRIBS): A research and service provision partnership project’ – Dr Timothy Scott, University Of Plymouth/RNLI

‘Swim or Float? An evidence-based approach to reducing the risk of rip related drowning in Australia’ – Dr Shauna Sherker, Surf Life Saving Australia

OPENING DAY – TUESDAY 10 MAY 2011 

While only a short session, the opening day of the World Conference on Drowning Prevention is not to be missed. The day will begin at 4pm, to allow time for delegates to arrive, register and familiarise themselves with the conference venue beforehand.

At 4pm, the official opening will commence with addresses from the ILS President, conference hosts and Vietnamese representatives.

Bringing the conference into full swing, the official opening will include two of the conference’s plenary addresses.

AWARDS

The WCDP2011 organising committee will recognise outstanding presentations at the conference. The awards are designed to recognise excellence in presentations while promoting continuing learning, and personal and professional development.

The World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2011 Organising Committee has chosen to award the Best Conference Paper, Best Poster, Best Tradeshow Display and the People’s Choice Award.

All prize winners will have demonstrated extensive knowledge and understanding and provided a presentation that will positively contribute to the reduction of injury and death by drowning in aquatic environments.

Judging criteria will include:

• • Relevance of topic to conference themes
• • Relationship between subject and content
• • Adaptability of information for individuals and organisations
• • Clarity of theme and organisation of topics
• • New and/or uniqueness of the information

INTERACTIVE TOURS THURSDAY 12 MAY - CYCLE TOUR: WATER HAZARDS AND RISK IN RURAL ASIA

Several Interactive Tours will be part of the program for Day 3 of the Conference. One of those tours will be a cycle tour in and around historic Hoi An. Participants on this interactive tour will get a personal insight into daily Vietnamese life whilst enjoying a leisurely ride through picturesque countryside. The tour will take participants past rice paddies, rivers, homes and wells, where they will see the drowning hazards Vietnamese people encounter during everyday life firsthand.

Midway through the tour, participants will hear from guest speakers before continuing the tour and making their way back to Hoi An where buses will be waiting to return to the Furama Resort.

This tour is capped at 90, with groups of approximately 30. The tour is scheduled to take two hours.

GREEN PLAZA HOTEL DANANG

If you enjoy a touch of comfort and would like to move beyond the budget accommodation options, you’ll find The Green Plaza Hotel to be an exclusive retreat where you will enjoy elegant accommodation, diverse cuisine, a pampering spa, and multiform entertainment. Its modern architecture and interior design blends Vietnamese and Champa culture while reflecting a distinct style.

 The Green Plaza Hotel is located on the bank of the charming Han River. Against this majestic backdrop, The Green Plaza Hotel stands as one of the first high-class hotels in Danang.

The Green Plaza Hotel will surely exceed your expectations and make you feel at home. And it’s only 10 minutes from the conference venue.

Rooms start at $78 USD for a Superior River View room or $88 USD for a Superior Ocean View room. For all conference accommodation information, please visit: http://www.worldconferenceondrowningprevention2011.org/content_common/pg-accommodation.seo       

IMPORTANT PLANNING DATES

Be sure to mark these important conference dates in your diary today.
21 April 2011 - Registration Closes
10 to 13 May 2011 - World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2011

CONTACT DETAILS
Conference Organisers
Royal Life Saving Society - Australia
PO Box 558, Broadway NSW 2007
Phone: +61 2 8217 3111
Fax: +61 2 8217 3199
Email: WCDP2011@rlssa.org.au
Website: www.worldconferenceondrowningprevention2011.org