As part of its community outreach/public education programmes, the National Conservation Commission (NCC) will once again host operation SOS – Save Our Selves.
NCC’s lifeguard service, which is the vanguard of drowning prevention in Barbados, will facilitate the six-week programme, which commences on Wednesday, July 17, and culminates on Wednesday, August 28. It will be held each Wednesday from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m.
The programme, which caters to persons 10 years and older, will accommodate approximately 100 persons, including Fire Service Cadets, at Browne’s Beach (near the beach facility).
NCC Special Projects Officer, Ricardo Marshall, said that the free SOS learn to swim summer programme will be celebrating its 10th year, and it is an initiative aimed at increasing safety on the island’s beaches, through getting more Barbadians involved in swimming.
Mr. Marshall also noted that the ability to swim is a great way to keep fit, and is a lifesaving skill, which is an important preventative measure in relation to accidental drowning.
He said the programme is designed to acquaint participants with the experience of ocean swimming and its hazards, while exposing them to an environment that will teach respect for the marine environment, in order to promote more responsible behaviours.
The Operation SOS swim programme involves teaching persons the do’s & don’ts of water safety; understanding currents; discussions on how to prevent drowning, understanding & interpreting flags, beach signage, wind and waves; and provides hands on CPR training.
Registration forms may be downloaded from the commission’s website, or collected from NCC’s office at Codrington House, St. Michael. For further information, persons may call NCC’s PR department at 536-0662, or 536-0663.