Teenagers received a strong warning about playing with their lives.

The Canadian-based programme, called SMARTRISK, has brought its message to Bermuda this week in hopes of saving young people from risky behaviour.

Yesterday, at City Hall, youths heard a crash victim tell of his horrific ordeal.

Adrian Dielman, who is paralysed from the chest down, told a packed auditorium: "The worst thing that can happen is not dying.'' Mr. Dielman received his injuries when he was a young man. He was celebrating finishing his exams in Canada when the car he was driving spun out of control, leaving him nearly dead.

He admitted to the silent audience of 15 and 16 year olds he had been out drinking with friends and had been speeding and driving recklessly.

The message of the session was "life is full of risks, but there are smart risks and stupid risks. Driving at high speeds is a stupid one''. Students from Berkeley Institute attended the morning session which is the first in a two-day campaign.

Volunteer student presenters gave a narrative on the risks they took and how they can be reduced through safety practices.

The show started with music and a colour slide presentation featuring vivid images of teenagers, both able-bodied and disabled, involved in risky activities.

Mr. Dielman told the teens: "We hope to show you five choices that you can take to prevent yourself from being injured and still have a good time with your life.

"The worst you can think of about injuries, you figure that the worst thing that can happen is that you can hurt yourself -- and then you get better. Or maybe you think the worst thing that can happen is you just die. Well with some people, the worst thing that can happen is not dying. Let's face it, taking risks is what makes us feel alive, and if we do it right, we can continue to take risks our whole life long.'' Mr. Dielman relived the serious car crash which led to his present state.

The crash crushed several vertebrae in his neck, severing his spinal cord.

"I went from a healthy 22 year old thinking that the world was at my fingertips playing hockey three times a week, racing around on my bike to, at the snap of a finger, I couldn't feel anything in my whole body,'' he said.

Students and teachers were awed by Mr. Dielman's tragic story.

Carl Seale, who teaches Year Five at Berkeley Institute, said: "I think it was very informative. Things like this should be done in Bermuda more often.

"We have a culture where bikes have a lot of importance. The message should go out. The presenter makes his point quite well. People have to be aware that if they use alcohol or drugs in combination with cars or bikes, they can either die or be injured for the rest of their life.'' Some of the teenagers were clearly moved by Mr. Dielman's talk.

Mark Steede, 16, of Berkeley Institute, said: "I thought it was excellent. It really taught me to slow down and make smart decisions. To think before I act.'' Fifteen-year-old Tamika Moore said: "... Tomorrow is not promised to anybody.'' The show will be repeated today at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

SMARTRISK was founded by Canadian children's heart surgeon Robert Conn who gave up his career seven years ago to broadcast the SMARTRISK message.

"I began to realise that all of my donors were young people who were really healthy one moment and dead the next,'' he said.

"I spend a lot of time talking to teenagers. They were quick to tell me that safety sucks. The majority of our messages are negative. I began to think that maybe there is a way to turn this around.'' Dr. Conn's visit came at the request of orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Joseph Froncioni who saw a lot of injuries involving young people. They received sponsorship from ACE Ltd., Air Canada, Fairmont/Canadian Pacific, Bermuda Forwarders and Container Ship Management.

SMARTRISK has developed a five-point strategy to help people make smart choices: Buckle up Drive sober Look first Wear the gear Get trained Speaking from the heart: Adrian Dielman