Stay Alive- Drowning Prevention Week

Stay alive- respect the water during Drowning Prevention Week

As the weather heats up, you may be tempted to head out for a swim. However, cooling off in rivers, canals, ponds, quarries and lakes can have deadly consequences.
Every 20 hours in the UK a life is lost to drowning and hundreds more lives are changed forever due to suffering devastating injuries through near drowning. As we approach Drowning Prevention Week, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging people, particularly young children and teenagers, to respect the dangers of water. If you don't, you risk yours or another person's life.

Lynsey McVay, Warrington Service Delivery Manager for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We want people to enjoy swimming, however we also want people to do it safely. Sadly, each year people die swimming in open water. Firefighters and other emergency services also risk their own safety to rescue people who get into difficulties on our waterways. Our advice is to only ever swim outdoors as part of an organised open water swimming club. Don't let a cooling dip be the last thing you ever do. Please follow our advice to stay safe around water."

Safe swimming
Don't swim in anywhere other than purpose-built and supervised swimming pools, unless you're swimming with an organised swimming group.

Dangers of open water
The water may look calm on the surface, but there can be strong undercurrents that could pull even a strong swimmer under the water.
The water may feel warm on the surface, but just a few feet below the surface it can be icy cold. The cold water can affect stamina and strength of swimmers.

Key safety tips
Never let children (including older children) swim in unsupervised areas like quarries, canals or ponds.
Never interfere with lifesaving equipment
Alcohol and swimming do not mix- stay out of the water if you have been drinking.
Swimming anywhere other than at purpose built and supervised swimming pools is highly dangerous and is not recommended, unless as part of an organised club.
Always join a club for open water swimming
For anyone wishing to pursue open water swimming there are a number of clubs that offer supervised sessions. To find out more or to locate a club near to you visit:
https://www.britishswimming.org/
http://www.openwaterswim.co.uk/

Diving Safety
Diving injuries can cause permanent spinal cord damage, paralysis and, in some cases, even death.
Protect yourself by only diving in areas that are known to be safe, such as the deep end of a supervised pool.
Go www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/public-safety/campaigns/outdoor-safety/water-safety/diving-safety for more information.

Reservoir safety
It doesn't matter how strong a swimmer you are, swimming in reservoirs is extremely dangerous.
Within minutes of a swimmer disappearing beneath the surface it is often too late.
There may be strong hidden currents, or dangerous obstacles beneath the surface, and it can be extremely difficult to get out.
Go to www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/public-safety/campaigns/outdoor-safety/water-safety/reservoir-safety for more information.

Swimming Pool Safety
A pool is 14 times more likely than a motor vehicle to be involved in the unintentional death of children aged 4 and under.
Go to www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/public-safety/campaigns/outdoor-safety/water-safety/swimming-pool-safety
For key safety information visit our website www.cheshirefire.gov.uk and type in water safety, or type in any of the links below to find out more about water safety.

Cold water shock can be a dangerous killer. Go to www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/public-safety/campaigns/outdoor-safety/water-safety/cold-water-shock for more information.
Learn the Water Safety Code by going to http://www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/public-safety/campaigns/outdoor-safety/water-safety/the-water-safety-code
Teach your kids water safety the fun way by visiting www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/public-safety/campaigns/outdoor-safety/water-safety/water-safety-fun-for-children

Bear in mind the National Water Safety Signs which can be seen by visiting www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/Assets/watersafety_signs.pdf

If you want to learn more about Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service's role in water rescues go to www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/public-safety/campaigns/outdoor-safety/water-safety/cfrs-role-in-water-rescues

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