RLSS UK – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Water safety charity issues warning as survey shows most parents mistake baby bath seats as safety devices

According to a new eye-opening survey from the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)*, there is a worrying misconception among parents that a baby bath seat is a safety device.

The survey showed that almost three quarters of parents (72%) believe a baby bath seat is designed to keep a baby safe. This is not the case. Research published in RLSS UK’s Child Drowning Update (2019-2023) revealed that out of ten children under one that drowned in the bath, seven were using a baby bath seat.

Figures also revealed that 88% of parents have used a baby bath seat, and almost two-thirds (64%) of those with children under one currently do so. RLSS UK is therefore working to increase parents’ understanding of the purpose of baby bath seats to help promote safer bathtimes for all families.

Matt Croxall, Charity Director at RLSS UK, said: “We find it heartbreaking to learn that child drownings in the bath are continuing to take place – and it is concerning to learn that in many of these instances, there was a bath seat involved.

“Seeking to shed light on the major misconception that bath seats can be used as a safety device, we want to educate more families to be aware of the risks, so they are able to stay safe.

“Of ten infants that drowned in the bath in the last four years, seven were using a bath seat. Regardless of whether you are using a bath seat during bathtime, we always advise parents and carers to keep young children within arm’s reach in water. And if you do need to leave the bathroom at all, take the child with you. Whilst bath seats can provide support for your baby during bath time, bath seats are not a safety device.”

Splash Safety in Bath Seats forms part of RLSS UK’s brand-new campaign, Splash Safety at your Pad, which seeks to raise awareness among parents and carers of young children about the importance of water safety when at home, with a particular focus on bathtime.

Matt added: “In response to these tragic findings, we are pleased to introduce our educational Splash Safety at your Pad campaign, which aims to share important water safety messages with families across the UK and Ireland in a fun and engaging way.

“We hope this campaign has a positive impact on families with young ones and makes all the difference.”

Vital key safety advice when bathing your child:

Children should always be within arm’s reach – regardless of using a baby bath seat.
Get everything you need ready to go before filling the bath – from towels to pyjamas.
Avoid distractions and leave your phone outside the bathroom.
Check that the water has fully drained after emptying the water in the bath.
When not in use, keep the plug and toys out of reach and shut the bathroom door to limit children’s access without a grown-up.

*Consumer survey (September 2024), geographically representative sample of n=1,003 parents of children under five years from across the UK.

For more information around RLSS UK’s 2024 Child Drowning Update, please visit our website: www.rlss.org.uk/splash-safety

Charities lobby political parties to pledge support for removing barriers to lifesaving equipment

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has teamed up with several charities to fight for more accessible and affordable defibrillators in the United Kingdom.

As key stakeholders committed to the advancement of public health in the UK, RLSS UK, alongside nine other partners, have come together to lobby for the removal of Value of Added Tax (VAT) from defibrillators.

Research found that in the most deprived areas of England and Scotland, the nearest 24/7 accessible defibrillator is on average a round trip of over a mile, or 1.8km[1]. The past two years have also seen a surge in costs of automated external defibrillators from £750 to £950, which continues to impact the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest.

Pivotal in saving lives during emergencies, the current VAT on defibrillators poses a substantial barrier to their widespread availability, impeding community efforts to enhance public safety and why the group RLSS UK has written to all major parties asking for their support by pledging in their manifestos to reduce costs around this vital piece of lifesaving piece of equipment.

The letter has been signed by RLSS UK, alongside Air Ambulances UK, Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, British Heart Foundation, British Red Cross, Justin Edinburgh 3 Foundation, Resuscitation Council UK, St John Ambulance, St John Ambulance Cymru, St Andrew’s First Aid and Andy Reid, a Cardiac Arrest and Defibrillator Campaigner.

Robert Gofton, Chief Executive Officer at RLSS UK, said: “Here at the Royal Life Saving Society UK, our mission revolves around education, training and support for lifesaving initiatives – and promoting the accessibility and affordability of key lifesaving equipment in the UK is no exception.

“Defibrillators are indispensable in cardiac emergencies, where timely access can be the difference between life and death. Therefore, we are steadfast in our commitment to advocate for this critical cause.

“The significance of reducing VAT on such life-saving equipment is underscored by the unified stance of numerous organisations supporting this campaign. Together, we champion this change, ensuring our collective voice resonates clearly. It is imperative that our next government prioritises the removal of VAT from defibrillators.

“In this letter, we appeal to all major political parties to include support for VAT removal on defibrillators in their manifestos. Our goal is to narrow the accessibility gap for this vital equipment, ultimately saving lives and advancing a more equitable public health agenda across the UK.”

A copy of the letter sent to the Prime Minister:

The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP Prime Minister

10 Downing Street

London SW1A 2AA

May 2024

Dear Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, Prime Minister

We trust this letter finds you in good health. We write to you as representatives of key stakeholders deeply committed to the advancement of public health in the UK. Our collective mission revolves around education, training, and support for life-saving initiatives. Today, we bring to your attention a matter of paramount importance: the accessibility and affordability of defibrillators in the United Kingdom.

As you are undoubtedly aware, defibrillators play a pivotal role in saving lives during cardiac emergencies. The timely availability of these life-saving devices can significantly impact the survival rates of individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Regrettably, the current imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) on defibrillators poses a substantial barrier to their widespread availability, impeding community efforts to enhance public safety. Over the past two years, prices have surged from an average of £750 to £950 for an automated external defibrillator.

Please refer to the Appendix at the end of this letter, which underscores the critical influence of a person’s postcode on their or a loved one’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest. Such disparities are incongruent with any equitable levelling-up agenda. Consequently, we respectfully request your party’s support in advocating for the removal of VAT on defibrillators. This seemingly modest yet impactful change would not only render these devices more affordable for individuals and organisations, particularly in the most deprived areas but would also contribute to fostering a safer and more prepared society.

We earnestly urge you to consider incorporating this commitment into your party’s next manifesto. Such proactive measures would exemplify your party’s dedication to improving public health, fortifying community resilience, and, most importantly, saving lives.

We acknowledge the myriad demands on your time and resources, but we firmly believe that prioritising this issue aligns seamlessly with the values of the Conservatives and its unwavering commitment to the well-being of our citizens. Your support on this matter would not only underscore a dedication to public health but also resonate positively with voters who prioritise community safety and emergency preparedness.

Your thoughtful consideration of this request is immensely appreciated, and we sincerely hope that the Conservative Party will assume a leading role in championing this vital cause. We eagerly await your response, and are looking forward to hearing about the Conservative’s stance on this issue and its commitment to improving access to life-saving defibrillators in the United Kingdom.

Thank you for your time and attention to this critical matter and we look forward to your manifesto support for this vital piece of lifesaving equipment.

Best wishes

For more information about our lifesaving aims, please visit our website www.rlss.org.uk.

Visit our Facebook page – facebook.com/RLSSUK 

Couple who lost son in tragic drowning incident support RLSS UK campaign

A couple who lost their son eight years ago this month is supporting The Royal Life Saving Society UK’s (RLSS UK) annual Don’t Drink and Drown campaign. The campaign aims to encourage those who have been drinking to be responsible for their friends after a night out, be a mate, and ensure they return home safely.

Don’t Drink and Drown was launched following multiple tragic and high-profile student drownings in 2014. It aims to ensure that people remain safe around water after a night out. In a sample of UK accidental drowning cases analysed by RLSS UK, figures revealed that 81% of those aged 16-25 who drowned under the influence of alcohol or drugs, weren’t with friends at the time of drowning[1].

Support for the initiative comes from Margaret and Duncan Spiers after their son Christopher, aged 28, tragically lost his life after returning alone from a night out in Glasgow. On 29 January 2016, Christopher, who was believed to be under the influence of alcohol, was walking near to the River Clyde in stormy weather when he slipped into the water and was swept down the river. Despite several rescue attempts, Christopher couldn’t be saved and drowned.

Speaking about the RLSS UK campaign, Duncan said: “We are happy to support such an important campaign. It is vital people don’t walk home near water after a night out, as there are so many dangers.

“We are pleased to work with the Royal Life Saving Society UK to raise awareness of its lifesaving work and I know we have its support which means so much.”

After losing their son to drowning in 2016, Margaret and Duncan founded Christopher’s Saving Lives Campaign in his memory and have since dedicated their lives to promoting water safety and awareness of the dangers of outdoors.

The couple, who also sit on the Scottish Parliament Community Safety Committee as Water Safety Ambassadors, have successfully fought to have ropes attached to the lifebuoys at the Clyde since the incident and continue to do work within the local community to help prevent more tragic drowning accidents.

Duncan added: “We didn’t think of the dangers and risks associated with water until it happened to Christopher, and this is why we launched Christopher’s Saving Lives campaign.

“All Margaret and I want to do is save lives, we don’t want anyone to go through what we have – it’s been horrendous but we do this for him, in his name. We already know some of the ropes installed onto life buoys have helped to rescue a number of people, which is a privilege to know.”

Margaret added: “Christopher was a happy go lucky person with a big heart, he loved to help others and was so caring.

“We feel very lucky to have had him as a son and he lives on in our hearts.”

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK, said: “As we mark the eighth anniversary of Christopher’s tragic death in the River Clyde, the work we carry out at RLSS UK continues to raise awareness of these devastating incidents, along with providing the public with vital water safety advice that could help save lives.

“Sadly, Christopher isn’t the only to have lost his life under these terrible circumstances. Our Don’t Drink and Drown campaign was launched following various instances where young people’s nights out have sadly not ended the way they had planned.

“We have seen cases of young people walking home after a night out, and for various reasons getting too close to the edge and ending up in the water – which is why this campaign seeks to encourage friends to Be A Mate and take responsibility for one another.

“We’d like to thank both Duncan and Margaret Spiers for their continued support for our Don’t Drink and Drown campaign, and for their help in raising awareness on this key issue in Christopher’s memory. We’d also like to praise their ongoing efforts to promote water safety education as we work to prevent any more lives from being lost to drowning.”

For more information on RLSS UK’s Don’t Drink and Drown campaign, please visit: www.rlss.org.uk/dont-drink-and-drown.

Visit our website at: rlss.org.uk

Visit our Facebook page: facebook.com/RLSSUK  Call: 0300 323 0096

[1] Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)– Detailed analysis of 16 cases of accidental drowning amongst those aged 16-25 years. Data sourced from UK Water Incident Research Hub (WIRH) August 2022.

Charity expands partnership with GoodSAM to save more lives

Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has worked with GoodSAM since 2018, helping to connect responders to patients in those critical moments when they are experiencing a medical emergency.

The partnership has now taken another step to help save even more lives within local communities by launching a new part of the GoodSAM app – to help support rescue efforts in water emergencies.

RLSS UK has worked with GoodSAM to further develop the app to not only include locations of those registered as responders on the app, but also lifesaving equipment in and around towns and cities, which can prove vital in rescuing someone who is in difficulty in the water.

An average of 308 UK and Irish citizens lose their lives to accidental drowning each year, with more people drowning inland than at the coast, so responders knowing exactly where water rescue equipment is vital.

Vicki Jones, the mother of student Tom Jones who sadly drowned in the River Severn in Worcester in 2018, has spoken of her support for the initiative: “This is a subject so close to my heart after losing Tom and we have been working with the Royal Life Saving Society UK. This is such a positive step to further raise awareness of the importance of water safety.

“Water rescue equipment can and does save lives. Every second is critical during a rescue; this map will help make communities safe and ensure the equipment is rescue-ready when needed. The app will enable everyone to get on board and play a part to ensure all water safety equipment is logged and to report it if missing or damaged.

“I will get involved and register water safety equipment when and where possible and I hope you will too.”

Various water rescue equipment is located along and near waterways, including lifebuoys and throw ropes, to help members of the public who find themselves in difficulty in the water get help as soon as possible.

However, RLSS UK and GoodSAM identified that not all first responders will be aware of where these vital pieces of equipment are located, especially when they are needed in an emergency.

The app will now allow members of the public to plot where pieces of equipment can be found to allow quick and easy access by first responders when they are needed.

As well as this, the app critically allows people to report if a piece of equipment is missing or damaged. This report on the GoodSAM app will then be sent to RLSS UK who will liaise with landowners and local authorities to rectify the issue and ensure the equipment can save lives if and when it is needed.

Professor Mark Wilson from GoodSAM said, “We are delighted for RLSS UK to be collaborating with us on the water rescue equipment map; they have been at the forefront of lifeguard training, lifesaving and water safety education for a very long time and by working together, we can build on the excellent work that they already do and make rivers, lakes and bodies of open water even safer for all.”

RLSS UK is encouraging its members, volunteers and lifesavers, as well as members of the public who have appropriate qualifications and knowledge, to register on the GoodSAM app to become a first responder.

As well as this, the charity and GoodSAM are asking members of the public to submit any water rescue equipment within their local community to ensure that it is logged on the app to help people when in need.

Nick Grazier, Senior Head of Commercial Projects & Partnerships at RLSS UK, said: “This map is a game-changer for open water rescue; not only does it support the emergency services and GoodSAM responders to assist in the case of an emergency, but with the opportunity for app users to report damaged or broken water rescue equipment, we can work with landowners and local authorities to ensure that the equipment is fit for purpose and rescue-ready.”

Jo Talbot, Commercial Director at RLSS UK, added, “We are incredibly proud to partner with GoodSAM and add to the vital work already achieved by the army of volunteers contributing worldwide.

“This type of project has been a desire for the charity for a long time, and it is so rewarding that it is coming to fruition.”

To find out more about how to register on the app and how to register water rescue equipment, visit www.rlss.org.uk/goodSAM.

If you would like to become a first responder, RLSS UK offers first aid qualifications and further details can be found on the RLSS UK website.

Be a Mate this Christmas

Your Presence is worth more than presents, charity says

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is running its annual Don’t Drink and Drown campaign this week – December, 11-17 – to encourage festive partygoers to Be a Mate and ensure their friends make their way home safely after a night out.

The campaign targets individuals to be responsible for their friends if they have had too much to drink; helping them to return home safely. As work Christmas parties and gatherings with friends and family for the festive period begin to take place, the charity fears that this could result in accidental fatalities as people walk home near the water.

On average 73 people lose their lives each year through a substance-related drowning, this is more than a quarter (29%) of UK annual accidental drowning fatalities.

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK said, “Research indicates that among those aged 16-25 who lost their lives to accidental drowning, 44% had alcohol and/or drugs in their bloodstream.

WAs well as this 81% weren’t with friends at the time of drowning, which is why our key message is ‘Be a Mate’ to encourage everyone to look after their friends and ensure that everyone gets home safely to their families this Christmas.

“We know that alcohol and drugs have a number of different effects on the body including lowering inhibitions, which leads to impaired judgment, and this is where we see people taking risks and getting themselves into trouble in and around water.

“In line with this, the data also reveals that when under the influence of alcohol or drugs, accidental drowning victims are much more likely to have unintentionally fallen into the water; 55% compared to 36% for those who were not under the influence.”

Further analysis among alcohol/drug related drownings highlighted that, where known, over half of drug and alcohol related drownings take place between 11pm and 5am, the time which many people may be walking home from nights out. RLSS UK wants to reinforce the message of safety in numbers, be a mate, and stay together to make sure everyone makes it home safe.

Lee said: “We have seen cases where people walk home after a night out, and for various reasons get too close to the edge and end up in the water.

“At this time of year, the water is colder than it looks and cold water shock is a significant factor, and paired with alcohol numbing senses, limiting muscle ability and slowing down reactions, it makes it extremely difficult to be able to swim and self-rescue.

“As we see mainly young men, walking home alone, sadly in these cases there is nobody around to help, we see nights out turn into tragedies. We are encouraging everyone to remember that their presence with their family and friends this Christmas is worth much more than presents, so stay safe and stay away from the water after drinking.”

For further detail on RLSS UK’s Don’t Drink and Drown campaign visit

www.rlss.org.uk/dont-drink-and-drown

where you can also download resources to spread the word and help keep your friends and family safe this winter.

Parents of children who drowned back school water safety initiative

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has developed the Water Smart Schools Accreditation, which launched in time for the new academic year, to facilitate classroom-based Water Safety Education.

And the mothers of Joe Abbess and Sunnah Khan who tragically lost their lives at Bournemouth beach in May this year, have recently advocated for the programme.

The RLSS UK initiative has been designed especially for schools to help their students develop water safety skills for life in the classroom environment, in recognition of the fact that not all schools can access pool-based safety education.

A cross-section of schools have piloted and successfully completed this new initiative, and now over 100 schools have signed up to the programme to ensure their students are educated on water safety.

Joe, 17, and Sunnah, 12, tragically drowned on 31 May this year when a suspected rip current caused sea conditions to change.

Joe’s mum, Vanessa Abbess, said, “I am keen to support the RLSS UK Water Smart School initiative to educate and raise awareness to improve water safety, in memory of our son Joe.

“Joe and Sunnah lost their lives despite being only waist high in the water, on a lifeguarded beach.

“Joe was sensible, healthy, and strong but taken from us, due to the ferocity of the sea that day. I am certain that if Joe had survived, he would definitely want to warn others of the dangers, as he was a very caring young man.

“I feel education is the key to get water safety to be broadly discussed and thus potentially save lives.”

Drowning is one of the leading causes of child trauma-related deaths in the UK (National Child Mortality Database, Deaths of children and young people due to traumatic incidents thematic report, July 2023) and is largely avoidable through education and positive experiences around water.

Sadly, access to swimming tuition and water safety education differs across the UK and there is often disparity for those from low-income and ethnically diverse family groups. The most recent data shared through the 2022 Active Lives Survey shows that only 34.7% of children from low-affluence families are able swim 25 metres unaided, compared with 76.4% children from high-income families.

RLSS UK’s Water Smart Schools accreditation aims to improve this by providing schools with a framework and all necessary resources to facilitate this vital learning.

Sunah’s mother, Stephanie Williams, said “”I think educating our children on water safety is incredibly important. The very least we can do is give all children an equal opportunity to access information that could potentially save their life one day. You never think it will happen to you until it happens to you.

“Knowledge is power, let’s give our children the knowledge and start the conversation that may one day save their life. Sunnah had her whole life ahead of her and it was so brutally torn away from her that day, I want to do everything I can to prevent this from happening to other children.”

RLSS UK launched the free Water Smart Schools programme in line with the start of Autumn term and all educational settings are being encouraged to sign up and take part during the 2023-24 school year.

Flexibility is at the heart of the programme and the charity is proud that Water Smart Schools can be applied to any learning environment including further education and SEND settings. The charity has already seen lots of enthusiasm from a number of schools and they want to ensure all school children have the vital water safety knowledge needed to stay safe in and around water.

RLSS UK’s Education Manager Andy Lane said, “We are excited to already have over 100 schools on board but want to grow this and get even more schools on board to ensure more children have the much-needed knowledge around water safety.”

If you are interested in taking part to become a Water Smart School, please email education@rlss.org.uk.

Don’t Drink and Drown

RLSS UK encourage students to Be a Mate during Freshers

The Royal Life Saving Society UK’s (RLSS UK) annual weeklong Don’t Drink and Drown campaign launches today (18 September), aiming to ensure students remain safe after nights out around the water as thousands of young people head off to university.

In a sample of UK accidental drowning cases analysed by RLSS UK, 62% of those aged 16-25 who lost their life were students. As a result, the charity is urging students to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings, especially if there is a body of water within the town or city they are moving to.

Of those aged 16-25 who drowned under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 81% weren’t with friends at the time of drowning. The campaign aims to speak to students and encourage them to, after a night out, be responsible for their friends, be a mate, and ensure they return home safely.

As fresher’s events take place across the UK in September, many students will be heading to bars and clubs to celebrate the start of their university adventure, and this is where RLSS UK fears tragedies may occur.

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK, said: “Don’t Drink and Drown was launched following a string of tragic and high-profile student drownings in 2014. When heading to university, students should be excited for the year ahead but sadly we have seen various instances where young people’s nights out have sadly not ended the way they had planned.

“University should be a time where students are looking forward to making new mates, rather than losing them. Research indicates that among those aged 16-25 who lost their lives to accidental drowning, 44% had alcohol and/or drugs in their bloodstream.

In line with this, the data also reveals that when under the influence of alcohol or drugs, accidental drowning victims are much more likely to have unintentionally fallen into the water; 55% compared to 36% for those who were not under the influence.

Lee continued: “With thousands of students moving to new cities to start university, Don’t Drink and Drown is vital in encouraging students to think about their new surroundings.

“Many university cities have rivers running through the heart of them or are near a coastline, and our campaign encourages students to ensure they are familiar with what routes they can take home after a night out that steer clear of the water.

Further analysis among alcohol/drug related drownings highlighted that, where known, over half of drug and alcohol related drownings take place between 11pm and 5am, the time in which students may be walking home from nights out. RLSS UK wants to reinforce the message of safety in numbers, be a mate, and stay together to make sure everyone makes it home safe.

Lee said: “We have seen cases of young people walking home after a night out, and for various reasons getting too close to the edge and ending up in the water.

“As we see mainly young men, walking home alone, sadly in these cases there is nobody around to help, we see nights out turn into tragedies.”

RLSS UK will be working with numerous universities across the UK and Ireland to get the message out to students returning for the start of term.

For more information on the campaign and to support RLSS UK’s Don’t Drink and Drown campaign this September visit www.rlss.org.uk/dont-drink-and-drown.

Visit our website at rlss.org.uk

Visit our Facebook page – facebook.com/RLSSUK

Call – 0300 323 0096

RLSS UK conduct lifesaving drone trials on a Cornish beach

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is working with the RNLI to test the use of a new Emergency Response Drone Pilot rescue service which they have developed with Eagle Eye Innovations (EEI).

The drones, manufactured by Swell Pro, are waterproof and capable of improving observation of people in the water, broadcasting pre-recorded and live messages via a Tannoy system, and have the potential to deploy lifesaving items such as inflatable buoys.

To test the use of the drones as part of an operational lifeguard service, the RLSS UK is working with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), to trial their use at Crantock Beach in Newquay.

Peter Dawes, RNLI Lifeguard Operations Manager, said, “The River Gannel that runs through the middle of Crantock Beach and, particularly at low tide, makes access across the broad expanse of beach and to the water’s edge difficult for our patrol vehicles.

“The drone will allow the lifeguards to undertake rapid observations across a wide area, and the integrated speaker system allows the lifeguards to help inform and give proactive safety advice to the public.

“RNLI lifeguards play a vital role in keeping the public safe when they are visiting the beach. We welcome the opportunity to be part of the RLSS UK’s trial and help them develop this lifesaving equipment within an operational beach set-up.”

Robert Gofton, CEO at RLSS UK said, “We are excited to see how this trial develops drones becoming a piece of equipment to support the lifeguards of the future.

“Drones have been around for a while, and we are constantly looking for ways to use their capabilities in helping to keep people safe on our very busy beaches.”

Tim Mitchell, Head of Academy for EEI, said, “As one of the UK’s leading drone training organisations, it was a natural fit to build a training programme with the Royal Life Saving Society UK which is the leader in beach lifeguard training.

“Working with the RNLI will give a real opportunity to see how the capabilities of the drone can help meet the RNLI’s mission of saving lives at sea.”

About the Emergency Response Drone Pilot Award, including A2 C of C and GVC : https://www.rlss.org.uk/emergency-response-drone-pilot-award

About the RNLI: https://rnli.org/

About EEI https://eeinnovationsltd.com/
About RLSS UK https://www.rlss.org.uk/

Time to learn about lifesaving with the National Lifesaving Academy

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) are calling on parents to ensure that their children have the chance to learn lifesaving skills as part of their National Lifesaving Academy.

The awards are a suite of progressive awards that teach personal survival, first aid, CPR, rescue, and fitness skills to anyone aged 12 years and over. Their aim is to teach candidates how to stay safe around water and how to safely assist others who may have gotten into difficulty in both aquatic and non-aquatic situations.

Statistics from RLSS UK show that around two-thirds of children who drown are cited as swimmers, the NLA can not only ensure that children feel confident with their swimming ability, but also ensure that in different environments, not just a warm swimming pool, they would have the skills and knowledge to be able to remain safe, and keep others safe.

Lifesavers can take awards in either beach, open water or pool, or all three if they wish, and progress through the award from the bronze certificate, to the bronze star, before obtaining their bronze medallion, a prestigious award for lifesavers.

There is then the opportunity to obtain a distinction award for those who are able to achieve any of the following: gain a lifesaving instructor award; undertake voluntary service to the lifesaving community; or undertake work experience in the leisure sector.

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLLS UK said: “When designing the award we wanted to ensure it was completely accessible to young people from all backgrounds and households, and this is why we have ensured that the price of the award remains affordable.

“We also wanted the skills obtained in the award to be formally recognised to allow career progression within the leisure industry.

“For many young people, lifesaving is the first step in a long career within the leisure industry. With this in mind, any bronze medallion achieved can be used a Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) hours towards the relevant vocational lifeguard qualification, something which can be a fantastic earning opportunity whilst studying, as well as a great addition to any CV.

“As well as this, our lifesavers will now learn the same theory and techniques you can find in our regulated qualifications, such as First Aid at Work and the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification, meaning that lifesavers will now cover the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for adults, children, and infants.

“With the rise of Community Access Public Defibrillators and the news that all state-funded schools will have a defibrillator by the end of the 22/23 academic year, it was the right time to teach our Lifesavers how to use this lifesaving equipment.”

The skills that can be learnt when taking the National Lifesaving Academy award are vital to ensure that future lifesavers have the necessary knowledge to help others to enjoy water safely.

The programme has been endorsed by gold medal Olympians and GB triathletes Jonny and Alistair Brownlee. Alistair said “I would recommend the National Lifesaving Academy, firstly, because I believe lifesaving skills are really important for anyone to learn, especially if you are going to be partaking in any open water activity, or going to the swimming pool.

“Secondly, being able to swim confidently in open water is a fantastic life skill and this course gives people the ability to do that safely. Thirdly, it’s also important for us all to learn that we can swim in our fantastic natural resources in this country if you take the right precautions, and all of those messages are given to you through the academy.

“More people in this country are swimming outdoors, we need to educate people in how to do that safely. We all want to enjoy the open water, we all want to enjoy swimming and getting active but we have to do that in safe environment.

“You can also pick lots of skills from the academy, you can learn first aid, you can keep yourself fit to look after other people, you can learn about the dangers of different swimming environments, and that is really important and we need as many people as possible to learn all of that.”

The programme has also been endorsed by Paralympic Champion Ellie Robinson MBE, and Olympian and Sports Scientist Professor Greg Whyte OBE.

To find out more, visit www.rlss.org.uk/find-a-club to find a lifesaving club in your area.

Visit our website at rlss.org.uk

Visit our Facebook page – facebook.com/RLSSUK

Call – 0300 323 0096

Royal Life Saving Society UK issues winter water safety advice

THREE BOYS DIE IN SOLIHULL FROZEN LAKE TRAGEDY

On Sunday 11 December reports were shared of a rescue effort of several people at Babbs Mill, Kingshurst in the West Midlands. Reports said that a number of people had entered the water after been on the frozen lake.

Latest reports have announced that three boys aged eight, 10 and 11 have died after falling into an icy lake near Solihull. A fourth boy, aged six, remains in a critical condition in hospital.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has issued safety advice today to ensure everyone is aware of the dangers around frozen water and what to do in an emergency.

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK said, “Firstly, and most importantly, we would like to send our thoughts to the individuals and families involved with the incident which occurred yesterday. We know that incidents such as this cause concern in the local community within that area, but also nationally.

“The cold weather we saw at the weekend meant that many bodies of water froze over and created hazardous conditions. We appreciate the temptation to walk across or play on the frozen water but we would like to urge everyone to know what dangers are associated with frozen water.

“Our advice is to never go on to the ice under any circumstances. The ice may appear thicker than it is but please be aware that ice is vulnerable, especially as you move further from the edge. If you were to fall in this can be extremely dangerous due to the cold temperatures of the water and the possibility of currents pushing you under unbroken ice.”

Cold water shock refers to a range of natural reactions that our bodies take to protect us when we enter the cold water, however, these reactions can sometimes work against us, Lee explains:

“There are three stages that your body goes through during cold water shock, starting with a gasp for breath, this is then followed by rapid breathing. Your blood pressure then shoots up as your body tries to keep your blood warm by moving it towards the middle of your body.

“As your muscles cool, your strength, endurance and muscle control reduces to the point when you cannot swim any longer so you are unable to rescue yourself, which is where the real danger can be seen.”

RLSS UK offer safety advice for winter water safety, with simple steps to keep safe during the winter:

Never go onto the ice to play, to retrieve an object, or a pet
Never enter the ice to rescue somebody, call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service

What to do if you fall through the ice:

Keep calm and shout for ‘help’
Spread your arms across the surface of the ice in front of you
If the ice is strong enough, kick your legs to slide onto the ice
Lie flat and pull yourself towards the bank
If the ice breaks, work your way to the bank-breaking the ice in front of you anyway
If you cannot climb out, wait for help and keep as still as possible. Press your arms by your side and keep your legs together. Keep your head clear of the water
Once you are safe, go to hospital immediately for a check up

What to do if you see someone fall through the ice:

Shout for assistance and phone the emergency services – call 999 or 112
Do not walk or climb onto the ice to attempt a rescue
Shout to the casualty to ‘keep still’ and offer reassurance to keep them calm
Try and reach them from the bank using a rope, pole, tree branch, clothing tied together or anything else which can extend your reach
When reaching from the bank, lie down to avoid being pulled onto the ice
If you cannot reach them, slide something which floats, such as a plastic bottle or football, across the ice for them to hold onto to stay afloat whilst help is on the way
If the casualty is too far away, do not attempt to rescue them. Wait for the emergency services while calming and reassuring the casualty

RLSS UK have further winter water safety advice on their website: www.rlss.org.uk/winter-water-safety.

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Call – 0300 323 0096