Water rescue experts from Surrey Fire and Rescue Service are raising awareness of water safety and risks associated with open water and accidental drowning.
Ahead of the Be Water Aware campaign running between 22-28 April 2024, the Water Rescue leads within the service are issuing water safety advice and urging people to become familiar with what to do in an emergency.
SFRS’s Water Rescue Lead, and Station Commander, Gary Bryant said: “We see far too many incidents of people encountering difficulties in Surrey’s waters, especially during the warmer months.
He continued: “It’s easy for people to underestimate the dangers. Even for those who are strong swimmers, or the water is perceived to be shallow, factors such as hidden hazards beneath the surface or the risk of cold-water shock can quickly escalate into life-threatening situations.”
Statistics from the Water Incident Database reveal that from 2022-2023, 40% of people who accidentally drowned had no intention of entering the water. Slips, trips and falls were often the cause of these accidents. And males 20-29 years old and males 50-59 years old were the highest groups for accidental water fatalities.
As part of the campaign, SFRS will be sharing key tips on water safety, including the following advice on what to do if you find yourself struggling in the water:
- Tilt your head back with ears submerged
- Relax, breathe normally
- Move your hands to help you float
- Spread your arms and legs out
- Once your breathing is controlled, call for help or swim to safety
SFRS advocates the simple “Call, Tell, Throw” approach when helping others in difficulty:
- Call 999 in case of emergencies
- Tell the individual to float on their back
- Throw a flotation device
SFRS urges people to come along to its Water Safety Event later this month. It will provide practical guidance on managing water-related emergencies and will feature live demonstrations in the water. The event is open to all ages.
Event details:
Date: April 28th
Time: 11am to 2pm.
Location: Virginia Water, GU254QF
What3Words: closes.asking.gazed
For further information on staying safe around open water, please visit Surrey Fire and Rescue Service’s website. A full list of stats and further information can be found at Be Water Aware – NFCC.
