Fourth-graders in Del Norte County are participating in a series of six safety swim lessons, this week and next, to learn how to stay safe in the county’s numerous bodies of water. “Sometimes, this is the only lessons that they get. So, we really just want to give them what we can, so that they’re safe. There’s just so much water around here,” said Sara Enos, the interim aquatic supervisor at the Fred Endert Municipal Swimming Pool in Crescent City. The lessons are part of an overall water safety program within the school district. #placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write(''); In the early elementary grades, safety personnel come to the schools to speak with students on pool safety. Then, in the fourth grade, students take water safety lessons at Fred Endert Municipal Pool. Fifth-graders participate in a water safety day held at the Crescent City Harbor. The U.S. Coast Guard brings a rescue helicopter, and the children take a tour of one of the boats. This week is the fourth-grade water safety program. On the first day, a lifeguard tests the students’ swimming abilities before beginning any lessons. As the week goes on, students learn how to put on lifejackets, throw ring buoys and pool noodles, and rescue someone using a shepherd’s hook. The lifeguards also teach the children the “huddle” position and the “help” position. In the huddle position, students get in a big circle in the water. This makes them visible to rescue helicopters, as well as keeping them warm. In the “help” position, they pull their knees to their chest to maintain body heat. Fourth-grader Kaylin Jackson said she likes swimming and visits the pool occasionally with her family. She believed the lessons were important “just in case.” googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });