Thursday, 24th May 2018
This week, local firefighters from Nelson Fire Station visited the Trust’s three leisure centres to work with staff and swimming instructors to educate schoolchildren in vital water safety skills that will help keep them safe around open water.
The firefighters spent a number of days at Pendle Leisure Centre in Colne, Pendle Wavelengths in Nelson and West Craven Sports Centre in Barnoldswick, in a bid to reach as many youngsters as possible.
In various hands-on sessions, the schoolchildren learned numerous life-saving skills and swimming techniques, were shown a reach rescue/throw and rescue and taught how to dial 999.
Pendle Leisure Trust’s Swimming Co-ordinator, Christine Britton, said: “We have been raising awareness of the importance of learning to swim; increasing knowledge of staying safe in and around water; providing an understanding of the actions to take in the event of discovering someone in difficulty in the water and basic first aid.
“We are doing it now in the lead up to the warm weather when it is tempting to cool off in a lake, river or reservoir.”
(Pictured: Pupils from Great Marsden St John's Primary School, Nelson, learning water safety skills at Pendle Wavelengths)