Stephens County Search and Rescue offering free water safety class on September 1

The leading cause of death in children ages 1-4 is drowning, that’s why on September 1, Stephens County Search and Rescue will offer a free water safety class.

Water safety awareness will address several topics including: hazards in or around water, the difference between “being in water” and “finding yourself in water,” how to property wear a personal flotation device, cold water immersion and the mammalian diving reflex, rescue techniques (reach, throw, go), importance of infant and child CPR for drowning victims, preventing and pre-planning water emergencies, what does drowning look like, and drowning statistics.

The free water safety class will be held at the Stephens County Chamber of Commerce in the Mitchell Allen Room, at 160 North Alexander Street, in Toccoa.

The class will start at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, September 1.

Registration is required to participate.

To sign-up, please register through eventbrite.com or call 706-898-5395.

According to Stephens County Emergency Management Director Danielle Rhodes, last September, Stephens County Search and Rescue Dive Team was called to respond to a drowning incident involving a child.

Tragically, the child did not survive.

Rhodes says the child’s mother has made it her mission to share their story in an effort to potentially save another child from downing.

Stephens County Search and Rescue Dive Chief Ben Stanfield will be instructing the course.

Seats are limited, so make sure you register for the class prior to September 1^st.

Again, to sign-up visit eventbrite.com or call 706-898-5395.

For additional information regarding this free water safety class call Rhodes at 706-898-5395.