Stop and think – take time to assess your surroundings, read the signs and look for danger
Stay together – always go with family/friends and swim at a life-guarded venue
Call 999 – if someone gets into trouble, don’t enter the water yourself. Call 999 and ask for Fire and Rescue or the Coastguard
Float – Stay calm and float on your back
You may think you are a strong swimmer and able to swim well in a warm indoor pool, but that doesn’t mean you will be able to swim in open water. Even though the water may look inviting, there can be hidden dangers in open water:
• it can be very cold
• it is difficult to estimate depth and may be very deep
• there may be hidden currents
• it can be difficult to get out (steep slippery banks)
• there may be hidden rubbish, e.g. shopping trolleys, broken glass
• there may be no lifeguards there
• it may be polluted and may make you ill.
1) Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
2) Try to relax and breathe normally
3) Move your hands to help you stay afloat if you need to
4) Spread your arms and legs out to improve stability
5) It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently.
Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.
The key to staying safe is making the right choices to avoid getting into difficulty in the first place. With that in mind make sure that you stay safe on or near water by following the advice from key water safety agencies:
• If walking near water, stick to proper pathways and stay clear of the water’s edge
• Take notice of safety information, warning signs and flags.
• Get trained in lifesaving and resuscitation techniques. Know what to do in an emergency.
• Don’t use flotation devices such as airbeds and inner tubes which can easily be carried or blown into deep water and may not keep you afloat.
• Never jump into open bodies of water – this can cause cold water shock and affect your ability to swim
• Do not ‘drink and swim’ – alcohol can significantly impact your ability to swim and get to safety. Walk a safe route home after drinking, stay with friends and stay away from the water
• Don’t be peer pressured into swimming where you aren’t comfortable, or if you can’t swim
• Never enter the water to rescue your dog. Who will rescue you? Most dogs manage to scramble out – some owners are not so lucky
• If you get into trouble, float to live – there is advice on this below
• If a friend gets into trouble, encourage them to float to live and call 999 immediately.
A throw line or throwbag is a bag of rope which you can throw out to someone who has fallen in the water, or is in difficulty, and gently haul them back to the bank.
You will find them strategically placed at open water sites. The throwbag is locked in a box. The sign gives clear instructions about how to phone the emergency services and access the code which unlocks the box, giving access to the throwbag.
1. Call 999
2. Never jump in the water to rescue someone
3. Get the throwline
4. Hold the end of the line in one hand and the bag in the other hand
5. Throw the bag so that it lands beyond the casualty
6. Shout to the casualty to grab hold of the line, not the bag
7. Once you have a good grip, stabilise yourself and pull the casualty to safety
8. Wait for assistance before trying to lift the casualty from the water.
The Royal Lifesaving Society works to educate people to enjoy water safely and know what to do in an emergency
Not just a rescue service, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution produces a wide range of educational materials and lesson plans for young people aged 3-18 years
Youth Education – Helping You Teach Children Water Safety (rnli.org)
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue carry out water rescues but also work to educate people about the dangers of open water. Water safety and drowning prevention – South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue (syfire.gov.uk)
A dedicated water safety website has been designed in conjunction with the Royal Life Saving Society
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents co-ordinate the work of the National Water Safety Forum which has produced the UK Drowning Prevention Strategy. They offer risk education resources.
This is the national campaign for members of the National Water Safety Forum, providing lifesaving advice for those in danger in, on or close to the water.
0114 227 0105
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