Certificates for young lifesavers

By cwoods

YOUNGSTERS have been presented with certificates after they gained life saving skills at Crewkerne Aqua Centre.

The centre holds weekly sessions on Tuesday evenings where about 40 children are taught how to deal with emergency situations in the water and administer first aid.

Practical work takes place in the water and theory lessons are held on the poolside.

Teacher Diane Butler said: "It benefits those who take part as it teaches first aid, cardio pulmonary resuscitation and things like that.

"It teaches them to keep themselves safe in water and enables them to come to the assistance of somebody else. Some also use it as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.

"It is life skills really; it teaches them to save a life."

The Aqua Centre teaches the skills via schemes run by the Royal Life Saving Society UK and National Rescue Standard.

Youngsters were presented with certificates for passing a range of levels under the two schemes on Tuesday last week.

Mrs Butler said: "I am incredibly proud of them. I think they all enjoy it. I would encourage others to come along to the centre, fill in a form and get involved."

The sessions run on Tuesdays from 7pm-8.30pm.