Police officers are brushing up on their swimming skills in an effort to train members of the community on water dangers and life-saving techniques.

Seven officers and one civilian have completed the National Rescue Award and the Trainer Assessor module, along with the Police Bronze Medallion, which will enable them to actively train others in emergency water skills, as well as save lives.

Acting Inspector Sean Field said the Bermuda branch of the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) had become defunct, and training officers in the Police service believed action needed to be taken to ensure people were better prepared for water dangers.

But he said he noticed there was a lack of trainers and assessors on the Force, so he organised for two trainers from the RLSS Commonwealth office to come to the Island to carry out training. After two weeks of extensive pool training, the eight are now certified and are about to set out a programme to train others.

"We are going to resurrect the Royal Life Saving Society branch in Bermuda, and we are going to start training officers in the Force in the Police Bronze Medallion, which is basic life-saving skills.

"We will then offer it to people in the community. Once we get things up and running we will be offering programmes to kids and youths, from youngsters aged seven upwards. I wanted to get the Police more involved in the community by increasing water safety awareness. We are an Island and we should know how to rescue people. Our goal is to have as many people trained in different skills as possible. We are going to offer it to the community, as well, and we have already had interest shown from some schools and clubs, it's a just a question of getting it all organised."

He said he hoped now all swimming trainers and groups could be brought together under one umbrella.

Acting Insp. Field said the resurrected group would be affiliated to the RLSS and is a registered charity, and fundraising would begin soon to help finance the community programmes. He also wanted to thank the Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association, which had allowed the group to use their pool at Saltus Grammar School.

Anyone who would like more information on the programmes should call Acting Insp. Field on 295-0011, or access the RLSS website at rlssbdalogic.bm.