Lifeguards conducting a lifesaving demonstration recently at Enterprise Beach.??(FP)

A full house!

This is how Special Projects Officer with the National Conservation Commission (NCC), Ricardo Marshall, has described the response to the NCC’s?? ???Operation S.O.S – Save Our Selves’ programme, and in particular, the Wednesday sessions at Browne’s Beach.

Deeming the level of enthusiasm for the summer learn-to-swim programme as "great",?? Mr. Marshall said all systems were go for the initiative which will get under way this Wednesday, July 15, at 9:30 a.m. at Browne’s Beach, St. Michael and ??Folkestone Beach, St.James.

The NCC’s Lifeguard Instructor, Dave Bascombe, who holds responsibility for Operation S.O.S., confirmed that his officers were enthusiastic and ready to start training at both beaches from this week.

The seven week programme, which culminates on Friday, August 28, will be held on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at both sites.

Operation S.O.S. forms part of the NCC’s?? community outreach/public education programme and will include lectures on drowning prevention; the do’s and don’ts of water safety; understanding currents, wind and waves; as well as understanding and interpreting flags and beach signage.

"On completion, participants should be able to swim (save themselves), identify and understand some of the threats that may be encountered in the aquatic environment. They are expected to leave with a greater understanding and respect for the marine environment gained by daily physical contact, and through lectures and discussion on pertinent marine and aquatic topics," Mr. Marshall explained.

The NCC has advised that learning to swim is a skill that can be very useful throughout a person’s life, in terms of helping them to keep fit as well as being a preventative measure against accidental drowning.

Additionally, the Commission has charged that knowledge of the aquatic environment, including how to be safe in, and around it, was essential for all beach goers and citizens in general, especially in a small island of 166 square miles, surrounded by water.

For additional information, persons may contact Mr. Marshall at 425-1200, or Mr. Bascombe, at telephone numbers 432-8177, 422-2871, or 231-4981.

cgaskin@barbados.gov.bb

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