In 2022, 266 lives were lost to accidental drowning in the UK. These deaths are preventable tragedies, and HOPE Trauma Charity is joining the call for people to stay safe in and around water.
The National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC’s) Be Water Aware campaign runs from 22-28 April. Its aim is to raise awareness about the risk of accidental drowning and providing safety advice ahead of the warmer months.
Statistics reveal 40% of people who accidentally drowned had no intention of entering the water. Slips trips and falls were often the cause of these accidents. Many people also underestimate the dangers of jumping into water or taking a dip to cool off especially those with limited experience of outdoor swimming. Unseen hazards and cold water shock can mean even strong swimmers get into trouble.
Males account for 87% of these accidental fatalities, 60% of which are in inland waters such as rivers, reservoirs and lakes.
Simple tips to help stay safe include:
- Stick to proper pathways and stay clear of the water’s edge
- Don’t enter the water after drinking alcohol
- Walk a safe route home after drinking, with friends and away from water
- Cold water shock can kill, walking into the water rather than jumping in can help reduce the risk.
As the statistics show, may people don’t expect their time near water to turn into an emergency, so knowing what to do if you or someone else is in trouble in the water is lifesaving advice.
If someone is in trouble in the water, the best way to help is by staying calm, staying on land, and remember Call, Tell, Throw:
- Call 999 for the emergency services
- Tell the struggling person to float on their back.
- Throw them something that floats.
If you find yourself in trouble in the water, remember to ‘Float to Live’. Tilt your head back with your ears submerged. Relax and breathe normally. Move your hands to help stay afloat. Spread your arms and legs out. Once your breathing is controlled, call for help or swim to safety.
Dawn Whittaker, Drowning Prevention Lead for NFCC said: “Be Water Aware is about helping people spend time in and around water safely. “We encourage people to reduce their risk of drowning by making safe choices around water and to know what to do if an emergency should happen.
“Simple advice to ‘Call, tell, throw’ and ‘Float to Live’ are lifesaving messages which fire services share to help reduce these preventable deaths and the devasting impact they have on families and communities.”
Maryann, HOPE’s Charity Operations Manager said, “We are here to support families who have had a loved one killed in a road traffic collision, a fire or a drowning. We are supporting this week’s NFCC campaign to provide some potentially life saving safety advice in the hope that one less family will be in need of our services because a loved one got home safely after heeding this advice.”
For more information about the ‘Be Water Aware’ campaign please visit: www.nfcc.org.uk /bewateraware and look out for #BeWaterAware on social media.
About HOPE
At HOPE we provide free and unlimited support to people bereaved or affected by traumatic events such as road traffic collisions, fires or drowning. We support children and adults of all ages, from all backgrounds.
HOPE has been supporting people since 2006. We are an inclusive group; our loss is what brings us together. We support you and your family in your time of need, for however long you need.
Contact:
Joanne Wehrle
Project Co-ordinator
HOPE charity
Mobile: 07864 613139
Email: Joanne@hope-sy.org.uk
Web: www.hope-sy.org.uk
Additional information
NFCC’s Be Water Aware is part of coordinated campaign approach under the Respect the Water campaign to achieve a 50% reduction of accidental drownings between 2016-2026 – one of the objectives set out in the National Water Safety Forum’s (NWSF) UK Drowning Prevention Strategy.
Statistics from WAID produced for NWSF coordinated by RoSPA. 2022 statistics are the latest available. https://www.nationalwatersafety.org.uk/waid
