Cordova High Students Participate at Lake Natoma

LAKE NATOMA, CA (MPG) - A bus full of Cordova High School students took a trip to the Nimbus Flat Recreation Area this week to take part in an important demonstration of water safety as we head into the summer months.

Hosted by California State Parks Peace Officers, Rangers and Lifeguards, and facilitated by California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways, Metro Fire and the Sacramento State Aquatic Center, the students were both educated and entertained during a nice, sunny day out of the classroom.

This team of public servants taught drowning prevention techniques, familiarized students with local public safety agencies and educated them about the high-quality outdoor recreational opportunities available at State Parks.

“It’s important to teach them how to be safe on the water,” said Paris Shaw of the Division of Boating and Waterways.

Each student who attended received their very own lifejacket to keep and hopefully use this summer and beyond with the good intention that they will pass their knowledge of water safety onto others.

Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide and the second leading cause among children ages one to 14, accounting for 7% of all injury-related deaths, according to the World Health Organization. There are an estimated 360,000 annual drowning deaths worldwide.

Beyond teaching the students, each agency was able to learn from the demonstration as well as they all bonded and familiarized themselves with working together, preparing for the upcoming months.

Chris Dargan of Metro Fire was excited to be a part of the day. “This is our first year. Metro Fire was invited to participate and in addition to showing off the importance of water safety it allows inner agencies to practice working together.”

Some of the activities and visuals on display for the students were:

• Mock Rescue involving a distressed and overturned kayaker.
• Life Jacket Station – Each student learned about the proper fitting and laws of life jackets and received a new jacked courtesy of the Division of Boating and Waterways.
• Self-Rescue and Rescue Station – Students learned how to reach a paddle or pole, throw a rope, row or paddleboard to the victim and swim out.
• Basic Heat and Cold Related Emergency Response Station – Students learned how to identify, treat and respond to emergency situations.
• Sacramento State Aquatic Center Inflatable Slide – Students were able to climb and slide off of a 20 foot slide into the water and/or use a hydrobike.

For more information visit www.dbw.parks.ca.gov.