A new piece of equipment designed to make swimming pool rescues quicker and safer is to be launched at George Campbell Leisure Centre in March.
Staff at the leisure centre have been undergoing training in using the new pool extraction board (PXB) ahead of its launch next month.
The New Vision Fitness centre is the first swimming pool in Fenland and one of the first in the country to use the new equipment, following its development by the Royal Life Saving Society last year.
At present, in the event of a pool incident, staff manually lift swimmers out of the water. But the new equipment can be used with just three members of staff, and swimmers can be removed from the pool in a matter of minutes.
Caroline Ormiston, lead trainer at George Campbell Leisure Centre, said: “It means that our pool rescues will be quicker, safer and more efficient.
“Staff are undergoing four hours of training each to use the board, and once that’s complete we’re hoping it will be ready for launch in June.”
Centre manager Andy Cornwell said: “We’re very proud to be able to bring this innovative new piece of rescue equipment to the George Campbell Leisure Centre.
“Swimming is a fantastic activity for all of the family and we aim to make it as safe as possible.
“The extra four hours of training, in addition to our staff’s normal lifeguard training, will give them and the public confidence in the equipment.”
Next month the George Campbell Leisure Centre will also be running a three-day first aid at work course including how to operate an automated external defibrillator.
The course is available to members of the public and companies looking to train their employees.
The course runs from June 12 to June 14, from 9am to 4pm each day, and costs £99 per person. Entrants must be over 16 years old. To book a place, visit the centre in City Road, or contact 01354 622399.
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