For the first time ever, the youth of 撸奶社区are learning the ins and outs of safety on the sea with the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) squad.
Since September, a group of 12 youth aged 14 to 17 are receiving the exact same training that regular RCMSAR members receive from the man who originally started the 撸奶社区station, Ron Drewry.
According to Rebecca Spitzer, who has also been involved with the training sessions, the kids are loving the experience.
鈥淪o far it is going really well,鈥� she told The Chief in an email. 鈥淭he kids seem to be enjoying themselves and it is a great learning experience for them. I think it is much different than your typical program a young person would normally be involved with.鈥�
She explained that they train every second Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. and upon completion they will have the ability to go out on a call once they complete their second level of training and are over the age of 17.
Spitzer said the current group has just completed the 鈥渘ew crew鈥� stage, which is the first of three stages of training. The next level of training for the youth, known as 鈥渃rew,鈥� was set to start on Monday (March 31). After that, training will be the 鈥渁dvanced crew鈥� sessions.
Earlier this month, the group got to get out of the classroom and had its first official boat orientation. Spitzer said the class is also receiving a lot of other valuable training that can be used in any aspect of life.
鈥淭hey are very enthusiastic and learn very quickly,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey still have to complete a check ride, which includes man-overboard drills (no one goes in the water, we just practice with a dummy), some on-board emergency drills and then they can start their official on-the-water training.
鈥淓arlier this month, most of them also completed their standard first aid with CPR-C and they have also all received their Pleasures Craft operators card (PCOC) and their Restricted Operator Course Marine (ROCM).鈥�
After the check ride training, the class will learn how to run and handle the RCMSAR鈥檚 two rescue vessels, including learning search patterns and basic navigation on the water.
Spitzer said it鈥檚 crucial for the group to constantly find new members and that it鈥檚 great to see young people develop interest in the group.
鈥淭he idea behind the junior program was that we get young people involved that will stick with us for a few years and then hopefully carry on with it as a career,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o it is an ongoing process for us.鈥�
She said any youth interested in learning more about the RCMSAR and the junior program can contact Drewry at [email protected] or Spitzer at [email protected].
For more information on the group, visit www.rcmsar.com or follow the group on Twitter - @Squamishaux04.
