Ten officers of the Police Special Response Unit today underwent an upskilling program all aimed at promoting water safety.

Under the guidance of S/ASP Bronwyn Soko the officers earlier underwent specialized water safety knowledge and rescue skills to ensure the safety and security of the public.

Today it was not only a chance to put into practice what was learnt by an opportunity to try fine tune their skills for a Lifesaving Competition.

Those who make the trials are competing for selection spot in the NATIONAL LIFESAVING TEAM that will travel to Adelaide South Australia in November.

The World Lifesaving Championships will enable the Fiji National Team to network with countries around the world to promote and learn lifesaving measures for drowning prevention.

"This is also part of a long term plan of the Force to establish a life saving unit as we have seen that there is a need to promote water safety skills as we continue to record a high increase of drowning cases annually".

The drowning toll stands at 44 compared to 25 for the same period last year.