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The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) annual Drowning Prevention Week Campaign takes place between 15-22 June 2024.
The campaign aims to reduce the number of drowning and non-fatal drowning incidents that occur in the UK every year, by showing people how to be safe and have fun near water.
Everyone involved in a water-related activity has some responsibility for ensuring their own safety, this includes participants complying with best practice from sports governing bodies, and ensuring they are not impaired by alcohol or drugs.
The presence of alcohol or drugs is a contributory factor in at least 1 in 5 of all adult drowning deaths. Combining alcohol and water activities can be fatal. Alcohol distorts your perception of risk and can lead to greater risk taking behaviour, impaired judgement, lack of coordination and impaired reaction time.
Similarly, the effects of cold water shock is one of the main causes of drowning. Cold water shock affects your ability to swim and self-rescue due to water temperatures in the UK remaining cold, even during the summer months. Cold water shock signs start immediately after immersion into cold water such as gasping and hyperventilation, thereafter the body quickly cools down and the blood flow is directed to the body core. This causes a decrease in muscle strength and reduces control over body movements. The significant heat loss then causes the body temperature to drop, ultimately leading to hypothermia, which is fatal unless treated effectively.
Open water sites change constantly and can be dangerous; in order to stay safe around water these simple steps should be followed:
• never attempt to enter or swim in former quarries which have lakes or water-filled voids
• do not jump or dive into open water. Quick entry into cold water can cause your body to go into shock, significantly increasing the risk of drowning
• do not enter fast flowing water
• be aware of strong currents and don’t go near locks, weirs, sluices, bridges and pipes
• be aware of underwater hazards such as vegetation and ledges
• avoid drifting in the currents
• get out of the water as soon as you start to feel cold
• never enter the water after consuming alcohol
• if someone is in difficulty in the water shout reassurance to them and immediately call the emergency services on 999.
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