RIYADH: King Saud University hosted a water rescue and relief training program as a learning opportunity for their students on preparedness and proficiency during floods as well as to explore careers in the Coast Guard.

Recently organized as short duration training by the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz College for Emergency Medical Services (PSCEMS) at KSU at the Oasis Health Center in Al-Manar District, the program aimed to provide training in water rescue skills, which is important during the rainy season. It was an opportunity for the participants to explore careers with the Saudi Coast Guard on search and rescue missions involving long duration search patterns and coastal water deployments with more advanced training.

“The primary purpose of the program was to extend access to the students, assess their performance to deal with emergencies in shallow water or during a flood which also includes treatment for those injured, stranded or in need of medical assistance,” said the media department.

The other important aspect of the training was to make them able to provide assistance to any public safety department such as local police, civil defense, any municipality or any other department which may require a water rescue to access or perform certain job-related duties, it added.

Such training also assumes significance keeping in view the current rainy season causing flash floods in many low-lying areas of the capital.