Life Saving Victoria teaches Wimmera students to be safe around waterways

Students from St Brigid's College, Horsham Special School, Horsham West Primary School and Haven Primary School were taught how to swim and survive at inland waterways.

Life Saving Victoria education team leader Alex Buckley said the annual program was designed to prevent accidents and deaths in rural lakes, rivers and dams.

"Water safety is life knowledge everyone needs," he said.

"It is important for people to not just see our waterways as somewhere you jump in and have a good time but to take the time to think and make sure you enjoy the water and stay safe."

Mr Buckley said life savers demonstrated skills in and out of the water, including recognising dangers before entering waterways, performing CPR and using life jackets.

He said life savers also taught students how to use everyday objects as rescue devices.

"Obviously the kids don't always have life saving equipment with them when they go for a swim so we also teach them to use stuff they might have like footballs, eskies, cricket bats and even umbrellas," he said.

"This encourages them to think about what they can do to save someone while still keeping themselves safe."

St Brigid's health and physical education co-ordinator Naomi Gash said the knowledge passed on to students would enhance the skills already taught in swimming lessons in term one.

"It is so important we teach our students to swim safely here in the country," she said.

"A lot of our students go skiing and fishing on weekends and are involved in our outdoor education program so this program is definitely useful."

Mr Buckley said the program was moved to Taylors Lake this year because of the current blue-green algae infestation at Green Lake.

"Unfortunately some schools found it harder to access Taylors Lake so weren't able to come out," he said.

"Hopefully we will be back at Green Lake next year."

Mr Buckley encouraged more Wimmera schools to get involved in 2016.