United Energy and Portsea Surf Life Saving Club Centre of Excellence team up to teach beach safety

When a fully-clothed preschooler jumped in the deep end of a back yard pool, Frankston teen Henry Code knew exactly what to do. And now he’s teaching others.

United Energy's Chris Murn (left) with Sorrento Primary students Archer Green and Sophie Day and Portsea Centre of Excellence Program director Henry Kiss. Picture Henry Yates.

When a fully clothed preschooler jumped in the deep end of a back yard pool Henry Code knew exactly what to do.

The training he received through a life saving program at Frankston High gave him the confidence and skills to rescue five-year-old Alexander.

“I was able to fish him out and give him the help he needed,” Henry said.

Henry Code (middle) and Lainey Jones (left) teach Sorrento Primary School stduents beach skills as part of the United Energy Portsea Centre of Excellence Program. Picture Henry Yates.

The rescue had extra significance for Alexander’s Dad Chris Murn.

Mr Murn works for United Energy which sponsors the Portsea Surf Life Saving Club Centre of Excellence Program Henry has been involved in for the past three years.

“It turns out that Henry lives on the same street as me in Frankston and he was on hand when my son needed help

“It as a real six degrees of separation moment.”

On Friday, Henry and Year 10 classmates, including Lainey Jones, were on hand again, this time teaching Sorrento Primary School students life saving skills.

The young instructors shared their knowledge about using everyday items in rescues, the importance of wearing a life jacket and basic first aid, including CPR.

Jumping off the pier at Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club is all part of the fun for Sorrento Primary students. Picture Henry Yates.

“To see (Frankston High School students) go through the program, learn the safety skills and then apply them and teach the next generation of (primary school students) is amazing,” Mr Murn said.

Sorrento Primary year 6 students Sophie Day and Archer Green spent the morning competing in a mini iron man, jumping from the pier and learning first aid.

“I loved the iron man event, I won it last year,” Sophie said.

Both children through the first aid component of the day was the most valuable.

“Now we know how to save a life,” Archer said.

Lainey Jones (left) and Henry Code (right) take the reins teaching Sorrento Primary School how to be safe in rhe water and what to do if help is needed. Picture Henry Yates.

Portsea SLSC Centre of Excellence director Henry Kiss hoped the program would make beach safety “second nature” in the community.

“The dream is for beach safety to be as ingrained as road safety, we know to check for cars when crossing the road, we do it without even thinking about it.

“But plenty of people arrive at the beach and go straight into the water without considering any of the risks.”

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Mr Kis also hoped to continue to expand the program, which currently focussed on Frankton and the Mornington Peninsula into more urban areas.

“The next step would be to roll it out in areas where English is a second language,” he said.