Being surrounded by water, dealing with the Pacific Ocean tends to comes naturally to most professions. But for those in local law enforcement, the most-elite of the Guam Police Department are making sure their colleagues at other agencies are equipped with the skill and confidence to handle themselves during emergencies out on the waves.

 For the last few weeks, GPD SWAT officers have been training members of the Port Authority Police with a water safety course.

Officers ran through exercises that had simulate conditions in a real-world scenario. They entered the cold deep end of the Dededo Pool in full uniform wearing 20-lb weight belts, and then had to tread water for several minutes, and then remove their pants, using them as a makeshift floatation device.

The test taught students how to stay calm and gain experience and familiarity with the water. And the pool environment is actually more difficult than the ocean, with the salt water providing more natural buoyancy.

Congrats to both agencies for going through training and thank you for staying sharp.