Free Water Safety Course In Brick Saturday

BRICK, NJ — Brick Township has the most waterfront of any municipality in the state, and one of the benefits is all kinds of fun on the water, whether it's swimming, boating, fishing, or other watersports.

With all of that water plus hundreds of swimming pools, there's a higher risk of water-based injuries and accidents. Knowing what to do in an emergency is critical.

With that in mind, the Brick Township Police Department and its EMS unit, in cooperation with the recreation department and the township's Ocean Rescue squad, is offering a free one-day class on water safety.

The class, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., has room for 50 participants and will be held at Tilton Fitness, 1686 Route 88 in Brick. Registration is first come, first-served. You must register through the Recreation Department website. Choose "Classes" and then "Water Safety" in the site's menu.

"Our professionals will be teaching introductory principles of water safety and water rescue, as well as water familiarization for those of you who lack confidence in the water. We will also be teaching CPR and first aid," Brick police said in a Facebook post announcing the class.

It was prompted in response to the death of a 15-year-old who drowned recently in one of the township's lagoons, Brick Township Police Chief James Riccio said in a video posted to the department's Facebook page.

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