Lifeguard Training

The first completed PIPS community lifeguard Training (OCN accredited) took place in 3 Ways Community Centre , High Street, Newry on the 16th & 23rd February 2008. It was very well attended with 35 participants with very positive feedback  

PIPS Community Lifeguards Training
Three Ways Community Association 16th & 23rd February 2009

A total of 27 participants answered the questionnaire
35 participants took part in the training programme.  Of the 27:
- 3 were Male and 24 were Female
Of the 35:
- 21 were aged under 25, 12 were aged 25-35 and 2 were aged 35-60

At the beginning and end of each training programme, participants are asked to complete a questionnaire which gives statements on their level of knowledge, understanding and confidence in their skills around suicide.

Participants are asked to mark whether they disagree or agree with each statement by circling a number from 1 to 10 (1 indicating DISAGREE STRONGLY and 10 indicating AGREE STRONGLY).  The following nine statements are on the questionnaire:

1. I am confident that I know the difference between the myths and facts around suicide.
2. I have a good understanding of what the Government is doing to reduce suicides in Northern Ireland.
3. I have a good knowledge of the help available to those at risk of suicide.
4. I am confident that I know which groups of people in society are at a higher risk of suicide.
5. I have a good understand of the warning signs that a person is at risk of suicide.
6. I have a good understanding of the reasons why someone at risk of suicide may not seek help.
7. I am confident that I would try to help someone who I was concerned may be at risk of suicide.
8. I am confident that I would be able to link an individual at risk of suicide to an appropriate source of help.
9. I am confident that I know how to look after my mental health.

The graphs below show how participants’ responses improved for each of the 9 statements on the questionnaire after the PIPS Community Lifeguards Training.  Across all 9 statements there was an average improvement of 191%.

The table below shows the percentage by which participants’ average scores improved after training.

Training Objective	Pre	Post	% Change
Objective 1: To reduce the stigma and myths around suicide	2.91	8.71	+199
Objective 2: To increase awareness of what the Northern Ireland Government is doing to reduce suicides	2.06	7.68	+273
Objective 3: To increase the understanding in the general public of the help that is available to those at risk of suicide	2.97	9.04	+204
Objective 4: To increase the understanding in the general public of those who are at higher risk of suicide	2.88	7.82	+172
Objective 5: To increase the ability of the general public to identify warning signs in those at risk of suicide	2.45	8.93	+264
Objective 6: To increase the understanding in the general public that those at risk from suicide may not ask for help	3.33	8.57	+157
Objective 7: To reduce the fear in the general public that inhibits people from helping those at risk of suicide	2.58	8.04	+212
Objective 8: To increase the capacity of the general public to link those at risk from suicide to the appropriate help	3.36	9.00	+168
Objective 9: To develop an understanding within the general public of how to maintain positive emotional health	5.30	9.04	+71

Participants found the LOOK, LISTEN, LINK model the most useful part of the programme.

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