INUVIK - The buoyancy was extremely high in Sir Alexander Mackenzie School last week.

Every student in the school was given a life-jacket for completing the Swim to Survive program, held by the Town of Inuvik and the school.

All of the students in Sir Alexander Mackenzie School were given life-jackets upon completing the first Swim to Survive program. Organizers said the initiative worked well with the youth, now they are planning a course for adults. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

The course taught youth how to react when unexpectedly put into water and how to get to safety.

Another element of the course was teaching the young swimmers how to float and tread water.

Town recreation co-ordinator Kelly Noseworthy said the program was successful and was highlighted with an assembly last week.

"That was our big finale, giving the kids all those lifejackets," she said.

Life-jackets were provided by Helly Hansen, purchased by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Inuvialuit Development Corporation and the Gwich'in Tribal Council.

Noseworthy said all the students from kindergarten to Grade 6 completed the program.

She added that the organizers wanted to wait until every group had finished their courses before awarding their lifejackets.

The initiative started in April and is nearly done for the school year.

"I'd say it's been successful," she said.

"The kids got something out of it and now they have another skill."

In a ceremony last Friday afternoon, the children were given some words of advice from a few role models in the community.

Family centre supervisor and instructor Rob Smith told the participants to remember to use their lifejackets whenever they are near water.

"We gave them to you for you to use," he told the crowd.

"We hope you all have a safe and fun summer."

Mayor Derek Lindsay also thanked the children for participating and for being such good listeners during the program.