Be safe this summer around the Caithness coast and its inland watercourses

A national charity urges the public to be brush up on water safety knowledge to keep it "fun not fatal" after last July witnessed 49 accidental drownings in just two weeks.

National charity and leader in lifesaving and lifeguarding training across the UK and Ireland, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), is urging people to get summer ready by brushing up on their water safety skills and knowledge.

With over 400 people dying each year in the UK and Ireland from accidental drowning, it’s clear that "it’s a topic that needs more attention", says the charity.

Lee Heard, charity director at RLSS UK said: “With June, July, and August proving to be the months with the most fatalities, it is vitally important that everyone has an understanding of water safety, especially during the summer months.

“We have seen a rise in the number of drownings over the last few years, with peaks during the summer. In July 2021, there were 49 accidental drowning fatalities in the space of just two weeks in the UK, and we know that with the right water safety knowledge, accidental drownings are avoidable."

Drowning is not just a topic that needs attention for those who take part in water-based activities either, evidence shows that one in two people who accidentally drown never intended to enter the water and in 2020 evidence from the National Water Safety Forum showed that 45 per cent of accidental drownings took place when people were taking part in everyday activities.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has a range of free educational resources available on their website for children, young people and parents and are holding their annual Drowning

Prevention Week campaign in June. The campaign will take place between 18th–25th June and aims to equip everyone across the UK and Ireland with the skills and knowledge to make the right decisions about water safety.

Lee continued: “This year for Drowning Prevention Week we are aiming to educate more young people than ever about water safety and give children the skills to enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water.

“We have a range of free educational resources available on the RLSS UK website, including lesson plans for schools and resources for parents. In a recent survey, over 55 per cent of parents said they would not be confident their child would know what to do if they fell into open water; this is something we want to change."

He added: “If you or someone else finds themselves in difficulty in the water, it’s vital to remember the Water Safety Code: whenever you are around water you should stop and think to assess your surroundings and look for any dangers; stay together when around water and always go with family and friends; in an emergency call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue service when inland and the Coastguard if at the coast; and finally float to live, if you fall in or become tired, stay calm, float on your back and call for help, or if you see someone in the water, throw something that floats to them and resist temptation to go in.”

Drowning Prevention Week takes place 18th–25th June and free resources can be downloaded from www.rlss.org.uk

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