Never go in the water alone, always swim with a buddy and wear sunscreen.

Those were just a few of the messages some Wilson County second- and third-graders received at Wilson-Greene American Red Cross' interactive Water Safety Awareness fair at the Wilson County Agricultural Center Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Overall, about 400 children attended the event and were able to learn about water safety.

Twenty to 30 volunteers manned 12 different stations over the three-day period talking with and allowing children to get some hands-on experiences with various safety issues.

Two of the stations that seemed to piqued the children's interest were "Cold Can Kill" and "CPR".

At the "Cold Can Kill" station, students were challenged to keep their hands in a cooler with water and ice for 30 seconds while they searched for money that was at the bottom. If they were able to retrieve the money, they got to keep it.

There was a catch: They could not take their hands out of the ice water while searching for the money.

Most of the children plunged their hands straight into the cooler and within a few seconds were beginning to feel the effects that cold water can have on the human body.

Brett Barnes, a third-grader at Community Christian School, didn't like how the cold water made him feel.

"It don't feel good," he said. "I did find a penny, but it wasn't worth it."

The other station that drew reaction from the children was the CPR station.

The children were told to follow the three "Cs": Check to make sure it is safe to give aid; Call for help; and Care by providing chest compressions if necessary.

Small mannequins were available for the children to practice on.

Other interactive stations included, "Don't just pack it; Wear your jacket (life jacket); "Look before you leap"; "Reach, throw, but never go"; "Always swim with a buddy"; "Be cool know the rules"; "Wildlife"; "Hydration station" and "Too much sun can spoil your fun".

Andrew Finberg, another Community Christian third-grader, said he learned an important lesson at the fair.

"You shouldn't jump in to try and help someone who is drowning," he said. "You should get a stick, a paddle or a towel to try to help pull them out."

Andrew was going to teach his little brother what he learned at the fair as soon as he got home.

"I want to tell him so he will know what to do if this happens to him or one of his friends," he said.

Lynn White, director of the local Red Cross division, said this is the first year her agency has put on the fair, and she believes it is a wonderful experience for the children.

She said the event was an overall success and would like to have more schools participate next year.

"I would like to see this grow," White said. "I feel this is a great way to educate the children in a fun interactive way that will enable them to remember the tips when they are in or around the water."

White said this is the perfect time of the year to hold the fair since the children are getting ready for summer vacation.

White said some of the most important participants in the event were the sponsors.

"We couldn't have done this without the Rotary Club of Greater Wilson, Wilson All-American Kiwanis Club and the Wilson Kiwanis Club," she said. "We wouldn't have been able to hold this event without them."

gina@wilsontimes.com | 265-7821