L to R: SEMRA membes - Mary Mullins, Maureen O'Brien and Jimmy Barry at the "KEEP SAFE" initiative.

BACKGROUND
The South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association (SEMRA) were invited by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) to give a presentation as part of their new program called "KEEP SAFE" aimed at children in  5th and 6th class's. This event took place in Fermoy Co Cork as part of a nation wide roll out. This program involves state agencies and regional organisations with a safety remit to come together and talk to children with a common message "Keeping Safe."
ON THE DAY
Each agency was asked to present a 10 minute interactive talk/scenario to a group of 10 children. When the 10 minutes were up a whistle blows and the children move on to another talk/scenario. Issues such as water safety, fire, farm safety, electricity, mountain, and personal safety were covered. As we only had 10 minutes the SEMRA group decided to do a presentation on the "Survival Rules" . Each rule was printed up and laminated and beside each rule was a couple of photos to give a visual meaning to the rule. i.e rule 6 which is "LOOK BIGGER FOR THE SEARCHERS" so we had a photo of a SEMRA member waving two Tipperary flags and then asked the children what could they use (we had provided them with a small day sack with two plastic bags in it) so "Flap your plastic bag and make a lot of noise". (see photo of presentation). In two hours we had about 100 children to brief. It was hard work but one of the most enjoyable days I have had in SEMRA.
The aims of the day were
1) learn how to react to dangerous situations
2) foster good citizenship
3) learn how to recognize hazards and manage risks
4) learn how to stay safe i.e road safe, water safety, mountain safety, home, fire, site safety, farm safety.

It took three of us to give this presentation, so a big thanks to Maureen and Mary who can turn into children at the drop of a hat.