Safe Greece: Using Badges for Water Safety Education
By Bruno Pascal
France, 16/10/2026. Twenty-six French children of the Beuvin-A.
school are discovering the importance of water safety through an innovative
educational program combining sailing, first aid, and classroom exhibitions of
swimming and lifesaving badges, photographs, and memorabilia.
From September to November
2026, 26 pupils from Beuvin-A Elementary School in Créteil, France, are
participating in a sailing program on Lake Créteil. Every Tuesday afternoon,
they experience the excitement of sailing while learning to balance a boat, cooperate
as a team, harness the power of the wind, and adapt to changing weather
conditions.
Beyond the pleasures of
sailing, the program emphasizes water safety, risk awareness, and drowning
prevention. Classroom activities introduce pupils to the organizations and
professionals responsible for protecting lives in freshwater and maritime
environments. Children discover the vital roles of coastal lifeguards, rescue
vessels, helicopters, and other emergency services operating at sea.
Since oceans cover most of
the Earth's surface, learning about international rescue organizations also
provides a valuable opportunity to explore world geography. An imaginative
feature of the program is a classroom exhibition featuring swimming and
lifesaving badges, photographs, and memorabilia from different countries.
Created by Bruno Pascal, the display stimulates curiosity and encourages
children to ask questions about lifesaving traditions, organizations, and
rescue operations worldwide.
Several exhibits were
donated by the Greek Lifesaving Sports Association (GLSA) through its “Safe
Greece” project, supported by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and
the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Complementing these
activities, a three-session course delivered by the Red Cross introduces pupils
to essential first-aid techniques, strengthening their confidence and ability
to respond to emergencies.
By combining practical sailing experiences, lifesaving heritage, geography, and first-aid education, this initiative demonstrates how small objects such as badges can become powerful educational tools, inspiring curiosity, promoting water safety, and perhaps encouraging the next generation of sailors, lifeguards, and rescue professionals. Photos: Bruno Pascal.
