Gamekeeping students from Duchy College made a splash when they took part in a water safety day at Alder Lake.
Working with the College's Outdoor Education instructors, the group of students donned their waders and buoyancy aids as they took to the refreshing waters of the lake near Okehampton and, working in pairs, underwent throw line training, map reading work, emergency procedures and rescue.
Making the scenario as real as possible, the students took it in turns to be both the rescuer and victim to enable them to understand how to work safely in and around the water as part of their course.
Craig Ledger, 42 from Plymouth, said: "I didn't realise how useful it would be until we did it, and I learnt a lot about how it could be applied to the working environment."
As part of the training the students learnt how to react to an incident, self-rescue and paddle backwards. They also learnt about how important it is to have the correct equipment: buoyancy aid, first aid kit, group shelter and map with grid reference, and how to pull a casualty out of the water and move to a safe place using a makeshift stretcher.
Lecturer Mark Claridge said: "It was an excellent day, with students learning how to stay safe and help others when in or around water. With the training now completed, it will enable the students to have a much more hands-on experience while completing their fishery units, for both rivers and lakes."
For more information about courses available at Duchy College Stoke Climsland, please call 01579 372233 or visit www.duchy.ac.uk.
