David and Tia Samuel
In this episode of Deep Dive into Water Safety, Margaret Wright speaks with David and Tia Samuel from Brighton, England, about how surf lifesaving, family involvement, and early education are changing the way communities approach drowning prevention. David shares how Brighton Surf Life Saving Club grew into a major volunteer-driven organization and explains the success of their innovative “Sandhoppers” program, which teaches children ages 5–7 water confidence and safety skills alongside their parents.
Tia discusses her journey from youth surf lifesaving to becoming an RNLI lifeguard, highlighting the importance of creating opportunities for young women in lifesaving and emergency response. The conversation explores CPR training, community response systems, school-based water safety education, and the need for stronger public messaging for residents and tourists.
The episode also compares Hawaii’s ongoing drowning prevention challenges with successful international models from the UK, emphasizing that drowning is preventable through education, collaboration, and building a lifelong respect for the ocean. David and Tia bring practical ideas, real-world experience, and an inspiring perspective on how communities can create a stronger culture of water safety for future generations.
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