Budding young lifeguards at the SNSM in Saint-Martin
Last Thursday, the Saint-Martin branch of the Société nationale de sauvetage en mer (SNSM) welcomed some rather special crew members. Wearing T-shirts in the organisation’s colours, the young recruits were none other than the Year 1 pupils from Julien Chabeuf’s class.
Since February, Year 1 pupils at Aline Hanson School in Sandy Ground have been learning first aid techniques to deal with wounds, injuries or bleeding. These sessions are part of a project called ‘The SNSM at School’. Over four sessions, the pupils have learnt how to respond in an emergency, and each child has been given a personalised SNSM T-shirt in their school’s colours, as well as a first-aid kit suitable for their age. The children have also received a ‘mini-rescuer’ certificate to recognise their commitment.
An educational project led by their teacher Julien Chabeuf, himself a volunteer with the SNSM. “The aim is to develop the pupils’ empathy and their ability to look after others,” explains the primary school teacher. Identified within the school by a distinctive T-shirt, the Year 1 pupils now form a real team of young first-aiders capable of responding to simple situations.
Immersion at the SNSM
Another aim of this programme is to introduce the pupils to the SNSM, its teams, its boats and its missions. To this end, the pupils gathered at the Marigot station for a feedback session organised last Thursday. Divided into two groups, they took turns taking part in first-aid exercises, learning to tie knots, trying their hand at throwing a lifeline to simulate a rescue at sea, and even boarding the SNSM boat. A trip out to sea gave the budding young lifeguards the chance to sail towards the Créole rock. “The project also allows them to explore the local area and raises their awareness of their environment,” emphasises the teacher.
A successful initiative, with pupils delighted by the day: “I learnt how to tie my laces and save people who are injured,” says Danyelina. “My favourite part was the Créole Rock; it’s really big,” enthuses Joh’myra.
The project is set to continue until the end of the school year. Among the upcoming activities is the provision of an educational resource to the teacher in the form of a lifeguard poster. This tool will enable pupils to identify the equipment needed for sea rescues.
Limited to one class this year, the scheme could be extended to the whole school from next year. The aim is to inspire future rescuers, but above all to ensure that the SNSM belongs to the young people and the people of Saint-Martin.
