Royal Life Saving Society UK – Page 2 – The NEN

Crisis facing our swimming pools

RLSS: Why more people could drown

The energy crisis is hurting swimming pool operators up and down the country, with many fearing for their future, seriously impacting their ability to help their community enjoy water safely. Soaring fuel costs could herald a reduction in pool programmes and even threaten the closure of much loved and needed community pools.

It couldn’t have come at a worse time for the sector. The lasting impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), staff shortages, and now sharp and severe price hikes are putting operators under extraordinary pressure and presenting real threats to the nation’s stock of swimming pools.

Our friends at some of the most influential groups in the industry have written to Michael Gove and Nadine Dorries – Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Secretary of State for Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport, respectively. The letter voices their concerns and calls for urgent support to save leisure facilities from closure. Read more here.

At the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), we foresee the impact of swimming pools closing as an increase in drownings.

In 2020 swimming pools were closed due to COVID-19, and people flocked to beaches, rivers, lakes, and other waters to have fun. Many children hadn’t had swimming lessons for some time and had missed out on their regular visits to the pool with friends or family. This resulted in a drop in water confidence and swimming ability and has unfortunately ultimately resulted in a year-on-year increase in UK accidental drownings through 2020 and 2021.

We know swimming pools are one of the safest places to enjoy water. Many pools have lifeguards and staff trained to educate users to enjoy the facilities in a safe and fun manner. Swimming pools are such an important part of a community. It is unthinkable that pool closures will mean more children potentially losing out on the life skills of learning to swim and how to enjoy water safely – simply because they do not have a pool to learn and swim in!

We are working with the sector to help navigate these challenging times, particularly by supporting operators to keep their pools open by ensuring they have highly qualified lifeguards in post.

A shortage of lifeguards is an additional challenge that pools are facing. Lifeguards are critical to the safe operation of swimming pools and providing a secure environment for people to enjoy the water and learn to swim.

Our National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) ensures the highest of standards and is the most awarded lifeguard qualification in the UK and Ireland (95% of all UK pool lifeguards).

In recent RLSS UK surveys, 99 per cent of RLSS UK candidates told us they felt proud to hold a RLSS UK regulated qualification, and almost three-quarters (71 per cent) of lifeguards told us they felt proud to know how to save a person’s life, with 60 per cent also gaining satisfaction from being part of a highly respected profession. Rightly so, as a recent consumer survey revealed five in six UK adults think that it is important that an indoor pool has trained lifeguards present.

Any swimmer aged 16-years or older can become a NPLQ lifeguard in just five days, and there are currently 350 lifeguard courses advertised throughout the country in June and July.

A lifeguard qualification is a fantastic springboard for a range of careers, from the emergency services and the military to the leisure sector. #IStartedAsALifeguard

Lifeguards and public swimming pools play a unique role in our society. They provide affordable access to one of the most universally accessible forms of exercise, offering huge benefits for mental and physical health. They are also places where both children and adults learn the skills that could one day save their life. We cannot afford to lose them. That is why we will continue to lend our support to the sector and raise awareness in government of the challenges facing pool operators to help prevent the loss of these valuable assets.

At RLSS UK, we work tirelessly to educate people to enjoy water safely.

To download our free water safety education resources click here.

For information on RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week, click here.

Visit our Facebook page – facebook.com/RLSSUK

Call – 0300 323 0096

Weather is warming up – get ahead and keep it fun not fatal

With the weather warming up and more people planning to head to the water, especially with the impending bank holiday, now is the time to ensure families can stay safe and keep it fun not fatal.

The warmer weather usually comes with more reports of rescues taking place from the water as people attempt to cool off, or tragically reports of drownings for those unable to be rescued.

National charity and leader in lifesaving and lifeguarding training across the UK and Ireland, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), is urging people to get summer ready by brushing up on their water safety skills and knowledge.

With over 400 people dying each year in the UK and Ireland from accidental drowning, it’s clear that it’s a topic that needs more attention.

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK said: “With June, July, and August proving to be the months with the most fatalities, it is vitally important that everyone has an understanding of water safety, especially during the summer months.

“We have seen a rise in the number of drownings over the last few years, with peaks during the summer. In July 2021, there were 49 accidental drowning fatalities in the space of just two weeks in the UK, and we know that with the right water safety knowledge, accidental drownings are avoidable.

“We want to ensure that everyone can enjoy their summer break and enjoy being in or around water but be safe in the knowledge that they, and their children, have the skills and understanding about water safety, which could potentially save a life. Every life is worth saving.”

Drowning is not just a topic that needs attention for those who take part in water-based activities either, evidence shows that one in two people who accidentally drown never intended to enter the water and in 2020 evidence from the National Water Safety Forum showed that 45% of accidental drownings took place when people were taking part in everyday activities.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has a range of free educational resources available on their website for children, young people and parents and are holding their annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign in June. The campaign will take place between 18^th-25^th June and aims to equip everyone across the UK and Ireland with the skills and knowledge to make the right decisions about water safety.

Lee Heard continued: “This year for Drowning Prevention Week we are aiming to educate more young people than ever about water safety and give children the skills to enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water.

“We have a range of free educational resources available on the RLSS UK website, including lesson plans for schools and resources for parents.

“In a recent survey, over 55% of parents said they would not be confident their child would know what to do if they fell into open water; this is something we want to change.

“Drowning Prevention Week brings the focus of water safety to people’s minds, giving everyone the opportunity to be equipped with the appropriate skills and knowledge to be summer ready when it comes to being safe in and around water when the warmer weather is here.”

With many families opting for staycations and heading to the coastlines and waterways for holidays in recent times, having an understanding of what to do if you find yourself or someone else in trouble in the water is more important than ever.

Lee Heard added: “If you or someone else finds themselves in difficulty in the water, it’s vital to remember the Water Safety Code: whenever you are around water you should stop and think to assess your surroundings and look for any dangers; stay together when around water and always go with family and friends; in an emergency call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue service when inland and the Coastguard if at the coast; and finally float to live, if you fall in or become tired, stay calm, float on your back and call for help, or if you see someone in the water, throw something that floats to them and resist temptation to go in.”

Drowning Prevention Week takes place 18^th-25^th June and free resources can be downloaded from www.rlss.org.uk.

Visit our Facebook page – facebook.com/RLSSUK

Call – 0300 323 0096

RLSS UK launches Platinum Jubilee Medallion in honour of Queen

To celebrate the Queen’s 70 years of service, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has developed the Platinum Jubilee Medallion in celebration of Her Majesty’s historic reign.

RLSS UK is a national charity, formed in 1891, and the leading provider of lifesaving and lifeguarding training, and water safety education in the UK.

Just last year, Her Majesty The Queen shared her own memories of achieving her lifesaving qualification as a young girl, during a video call with the Royal Life Saving Society. The Queen became the first young person in the Commonwealth to achieve the Society’s Junior Respiration Award, providing an example to young people and helping establish lifesaving and resuscitation qualifications across the Commonwealth.

During the interview, Her Majesty said: “I didn’t realise I was the first one – I just did it, and had to work very hard for it!

“It was a great achievement and I was very proud to wear the badge on the front of my swimming suit. It was very grand, I thought.”

The full video call can be viewed online.

Robert Gofton, CEO of RLSS UK said: “We have created this brand new medallion as a modern-take of the award Her Majesty The Queen completed in 1941. The lifesaving award not only celebrates the jubilee but also provides basic rescue skills to those who complete it.

“Our Lifesaving Instructors around the UK and Ireland will deliver the training before assessing each person to see if they can secure this unique award. The award is open to all ages and we would love to see lots of people taking part to develop their skills and knowledge around lifesaving and water safely.”

There are various skills required as part of the assessment to be awarded with the medallion, including accompanied rescues, tows, fitness swim, lifesaving swimming strokes, CPR, and the use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Robert added: “We are excited to launch this medallion, not only to honour Her Majesty The Queen but to offer 1891 people the chance to be awarded with this limited edition medallion and celebrate our fantastic community of lifesavers in the UK and Ireland.”

To find out more about the Platinum Jubilee Medallion and be one of the 1891 people to secure the medallion visit www.rlss.org.uk/platinum-jubilee-medallion.

Are you doing enough to tackle water safety?

If you have a body of water on your land and people can access it, you must take steps to mitigate the risks. It is time to act!

Did you know that most victims of accidental drownings never intended to enter the water in the first place? The most recent published figures from the National Water Safety Forum (2020) show that most drownings occurred while people were walking or running next to water.

This is a sobering reminder of why it is imperative to ensure that any body of water you are responsible for, from rivers and lakes to ponds and reservoirs, is made safe for those who can access it – think employees, residents, visitors, as well as members of the public. And RLSS UK Consultancy Services can help.

Assessing the risks

As one of the most experienced water safety advisory services in the UK and Ireland, the RLSS UK has provided clear to follow, impartial, and practical water safety advice and expertise for more than 130 years.

Whether you are a construction company or private landowner, a local authority, or a leisure operator, we can help you manage water safety to help you confidently meet your obligations under the Health & Safety Act.

Regardless of the form your body of water takes, you must take all necessary steps to ensure it is safe. We start with a full risk assessment – an essential piece of work to review your operations and activities so we can identify the risks and how to alleviate them.

In January, there was pressure on the UK Government and Parliament to make risk assessments of all bodies of water (natural and man-made) mandatory. This was part of a debate on the addition of throwline stations around open bodies of water following the death of 18-year-old Mark Allen, who drowned in 2018 after jumping into a reservoir on a hot summer day.

The following May, three throwlines were installed where he died. Mark could have possibly been saved if they were in place beforehand.

Government response on 1 July 2021 included: “This tragic loss of life highlights the importance of the landowner’s responsibility to assess and act on the risks posed by open bodies of water on their land.”

Bespoke solutions for your needs

There is no one solution to water safety. Following a thorough risk assessment, our consultants will advise you of the most cost-effective options that meet the particular characteristics of your water environment. These could include:

Training – identifying training most suitable for your needs and linking you with appropriate trainers.
Operational Planning – auditing your Normal Operating Procedures and Emergency Action Plans (Safe Systems of Work) to identify gaps and potential improvements.
Working with your site and team to develop systems that complement operational needs.
Signage – surveying your site to assess whether signage is necessary, advise if your current signage is appropriate and up to date, and make recommendations for improvements.
Public Rescue Equipment – helping you identify the most appropriate installations, inspecting current arrangements, and making recommendations for improvements as required.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)– using current safety standards to advise on the best site and situation-specific PPE.

Giving you peace of mind

Remember, it is not just the public you need to consider. Employers and the self-employed whose activities are close to open water must also take the correct steps to prevent employees and other people from coming to harm due to their work activities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Our expertise extends across all water environments, no matter how big or small. We can work with you to develop a bespoke solution that meets your specific water safety needs and results in a safer environment giving you peace of mind.

With more and more people drawn to open water, tragedies like those suffered by Mark Allen occur every year.

We believe that every accidental drowning is preventable. As the go-to water safety consultancy, our team of experts can work with you on all aspects of safety in and around water to help prevent accidental drownings in your waters.

Get in touch now to learn how we can help keep your waters safe at learnmore@rlss.org.uk or https://www.rlss.org.uk/forms/consultancy-services-contact-form.

Life’s a beach!

The transition from Pool Lifeguard to Beach Lifeguard

As we head towards the summer are you looking for a new challenge? Pool lifeguards have a unique opportunity to upskill to become a beach lifeguard and gain invaluable skills for life.

As an island, the UK has miles and miles of beautiful coastline, and every year people flock to our beaches to enjoy the sea, surf, and sometimes the sun! With more Britons holidaying in the UK, our beaches are more popular than ever, which means the role of the beach lifeguard has never been more important!

If you’re a pool lifeguard and enjoy the great outdoors as well as being part of a tight-knit team, then a beach lifeguard could be the job for you during the summer season! The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is looking for recruits to spend the summer working on some of the most popular beaches in the UK.

Read on to discover how you can transition from pool to beach lifeguard and set yourself up for your most fun and rewarding summer yet!

Why become a beach lifeguard?

RNLI lifeguards patrol more than 240 beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. They play an essential role in supporting the RNLI to reduce the number of people who drown at the coast, as well as helping to keep people safe by providing essential local safety advice to the thousands of holidaymakers who visit our coastline every summer. To give you some idea of the scale of the work involved, RNLI lifeguards helped more than 25,172 people in 2020 alone.

“We welcome applications from RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) holders. In our experience, the training and experience these highly qualified professionals have already achieved give them the knowledge and skills needed to transition efficiently to beach lifeguards, to protect thousands of beachgoers,” says Peter Dawes, General Manager Lifeguard Operation, RNLI.

The work is rewarding and challenging, and no two days are ever the same.

“The best thing about being a beach lifeguard is being outside and having the opportunity to meet interesting people while reassuring visitors and sharing safety messaging,” says Jo Thompson, RLSS UK’s Events and Accreditation Manager and former beach lifeguard supervisor.

Ninety-five per cent of a lifeguard’s work is preventative. They monitor sea conditions, set up the appropriate flags, watch people on the beach, and offer safety advice.

“With most seasons starting in May and finishing by September, a beach lifeguard is the perfect job for university students to help fund their studies. It’s also great for fitting around other commitments. I know of a mum who would work a few days a week every season while her sons were young. Now that they are older, she is a full time beach lifeguard,” added Jo.

Through the RLSS UK’s National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ), you will receive world-class training in search and rescue, lifesaving and casualty care techniques, good rates of pay, and the chance to develop valuable skills for a future career. And as an internationally recognised qualification, you can work all over the world.

How do I upskill to be a beach lifeguard?

The NVBLQ is the national standard for beach lifeguarding and endorsed by the National Water Safety Forum as well as the RNLI. The NVBLQ gives candidates the skills and knowledge to protect the public at the beach – which is why it is the leading qualification for pool lifeguards who want to work on UK beaches.

The course covers beach lifeguard theory, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and sea skills. It lasts a minimum of 40-hours and is physically demanding, including swimming to set times. The NVBLQ has four modules, and you have to pass all of these to receive the qualification.

Pool lifeguards with an existing NPLQ qualification can show evidence of prior achievement (from their NPLQ), which means they are exempt from some sections of the NVBLQ course (a maximum of 12 hours accreditation for prior learning may be claimed), allowing them to complete it more quickly.

Your NVBLQ is then valid for two years from the completion date.

Click here to find out more about the NVBLQ.

Find a course

With summer on its way, recruitment is now open for the RNLI’s 2022 lifeguard team. If you’d like to be part of this critical lifesaving service – helping to prevent incidents and rescuing those in difficulty, book yourself onto a NVBLQ today.

Become a beach lifeguard and put yourself on the frontline of lifesaving to make this a summer to remember.

RLSS UK Deploys Drone Technology to Support Water Safety Rescues

The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS UK) is launching the UK’s first water rescue Emergency Drone Piloting Award.

The water safety and lifeguarding experts, have partnered with innovative Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and Drone specialists Eagle Eye Innovations (EEI) to create a unique water rescue award, launching this month.

The Emergency Response Drone Pilot Award offers candidates the opportunity to learn the skills, technical knowledge and legalities of using and operating a drone to assist with water-based rescues.

The drones are fully waterproof, specially designed for rescues and can find a person in difficulty and deploy a torpedo buoy or inflatable lifesaving device, allowing precious time for a lifeguard or Emergency Services to reach the casualty.

The course content is Civil Aviation Authority approved and covers; rules and regulations of formal drone flying in the UK, practical drone flying techniques and the lifesaving skills required to perform emergency actions with a drone that preserves life until rescuers arrive.

Upon completion, candidates will receive three accreditations: a CAA A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 C of C), a General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVA) and a RLSS UK Emergency Response Drone Pilot Award.

RLSS UK was established more than 130 years ago and is acknowledged worldwide as an expert in lifeguarding and water safety. They have a proud history of helping to reduce the number of lives lost to drowning and sharing their lifesaving knowledge to save lives and ensure everyone can enjoy water safely.

Eagle Eye Innovations (EEI) are a unique company within the still fledgling Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). They are the longest-running RPAS Academy in the UK, with unrivalled experience -including RAF trained instructors with over 70+ years combined and Military Search and Rescue qualified instructors.

EEI is responsible for training much of the UK’s police force and other emergency services.

Robert Gofton, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), said: “We are excited to be partnering with EEI on this pioneering new rescue award.

“Concerningly accidental water-related deaths increased in 2021. If using the latest technologies, such as drones, can preserve life until rescuers can reach a casualty, it can only lead to saving more lives and stopping families from suffering tragedy of losing a loved one.”

Sion Roberts, Managing Director, EEI, said: “The partnership we have established with the RLSS UK brings an exceptional team that can emphasise and educate the disruptive capability of Remotely Piloted technology, through professional training processes and world-class instructors.

The flying skills and knowledge that the candidates will learn from the course will add a unique and lifesaving capability to their existing skillsets. It’s another great example of using Drones for Good”.

Tony Weston, who attended the trial course, said: “Wow – what a week, learning a new life skill – flying a drone that could aid the saving of lives! The experience was memorable, and the training team were excellent.”

The award is ideally suited to Emergency Services – Fire Rescue and Police, Local Authorities, Open Water Venues, Triathlon Clubs, Canal & River Trusts, Landowners, River Rescue, Search & Rescue companies. The first course is on Monday 25 – Friday 29 April 2022 at RLSS UK’s headquarters in Worcester.

For more information, please visit www.rlss.org.uk/emergency-response-drone-pilot-award

For more information on RLSS UK:

Visit our website at rlss.org.uk

Visit our Facebook page – facebook.com/RLSSUK

Call – 0300 323 0096

RLSS UK and partners aim to make UK’s aqua parks among the safest in the world

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is working with The Aqua Parks Association UK & Ireland to ensure the safety of the fast-growing industry as the UK looks forward to another bumper staycation summer.

Aqua parks first launched in the UK in 2015. Today, there are approximately 65 parks in the UK. Suitable for adults and children alike, the floating assault courses offer a variety of obstacles ranging from climbing walls and trampolines to water slides and runways.

The sector has boomed during the pandemic with the launch of new parks and established operators expanding their aqua park offering.

RLSS UK is working closely with The Aqua Parks Association UK & Ireland – formerly the Aqua Parks Steering Group – to promote safety standards in the industry to maintain public confidence in UK aqua parks.

The association has developed a set of minimum industry standards and launched the UK’s first accreditation scheme for aqua parks. The accreditation scheme introduced a recognised and consistent safety standard, making accredited UK aqua parks some of the safest in the world. As appointed auditor for the association, RLSS UK audits parks that have signed up to the accreditation scheme.

Consumers should look out for aqua parks that hold the Industry Approved Aqua Park status; awarded to aqua parks that have met the operational and equipment standards set out within the guidance.

There are two accreditations: ‘Silver’ shows that an aqua park has the correct documents, procedures, staff, and training in place for all the sessions they run, while the ‘Gold’ accreditation indicates that the aqua park not only meets all the operational standards demanded by ‘Silver’ accreditation but also that all its equipment has been third-party tested to meet ISO 25649.

(The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organisations).

Helen Bowker-Steer, Head of Commercial Services, said: “It is an exciting time for the aqua park industry – the development of the Aqua Park Association UK and Ireland in 2021 is a huge step forward.

“The industry now has a voice. It also has an elected board of individuals with the safety and success of the industry at its core. As the auditing partner for the Aqua Parks Association UK and Ireland, RLSS UK is committed to supporting all aqua parks which sign up for the industry approved process.”

2022: Make a Splash for RLSS UK

Now that January has been and gone you might be thinking of those new year’s resolutions you made last month and are yet to make a start on. Was taking on a new challenge one of them? How about raising money for charity?

If so, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) can help with their Make a Splash challenge. The challenge gives you the change to clock up miles in water-based activities including swimming, open water swimming, kayaking, canoeing, or stand-up-paddleboarding.

RLSS UK is a national charity and the leader in lifesaving and lifeguarding training across the UK and Ireland and fundraising and donations can enhance communities, so everyone can enjoy being in, on and around water, safely, because every life is worth saving.

Make a Splash challenges you to be the best version of yourself, both physically and mentally, as well as giving you the opportunity to smash some personal goals whilst helping everyone across the UK enjoy water safely.

Charity Director of the Royal Life Saving Society UK, Lee Heard, commented “The Make a Splash challenge is completely flexible in location and timescale so you can complete the challenge when it works for you in a way that suits your strengths. You can choose to swim, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard and RLSS UK will offer full support throughout your challenge to keep you motivated.

“Make a Splash is available in a variety of distances: 10km, 25km, 50km, and 100km so you can take your pick on a distance to suit you. Entering the challenge means you will receive a swim hat along with a booklet full of tips and support to ensure you have everything you need to complete the challenge and succeed.

“When you complete the challenge, you’ll also receive a medal and certificate so you can celebrate your success.

“We also have a wealth of water safety advice to ensure that you stay safe during your challenge.

“Not only will you be completing a fantastic challenge, but you will be raising funds for charity help us to ensure that everyone can enjoy water safely can continue to be shared widely.

“At the start of each month, you can share your fundraising total and be added to the leaderboard and if you are crowned top fundraiser, you will win a prize at the end of the year.”

To find out more and to sign up to your Make a Splash challenge visit:

www.rlss.org.uk/make-a-splash and kickstart your fundraising.

Charity urges people to #BeAMate this Christmas and make sure friends and family get home safely

This December many of us will be making up for lost time and celebrating the festive period with friends and family across our major towns and cities, after being unable to get together last year.

With the nightlife scene working its way back to a sense of normality, this Christmas will see work parties, reunions with friends, and family gatherings taking place across the UK and Ireland.

Whilst it will be great to see people enjoying the festivities this year, it also brings back the risks of individuals falling in the water after a night out whilst drunk making their way home.

Young people across the country are working with the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), the charity which enhances communities so everyone can enjoy water safely, as they fear that this time of year will potentially see people like them unexpectedly falling into the water after enjoying their night out.

The RLSS UK launches its annual Don’t Drink and Drown Campaign this month, which will run from 6 – 12 December, in a bid to encourage public safety with its key messages of:

look out for your friends and make sure they get home safely
if you’ve had a drink, stay away from the water
find an alternative route home away from water, and
stay away from water in winter, cold water shock kills.

With alcohol impairing our judgements, limiting muscle ability, slowing down reactions and numbing our senses, this can mean that even for strong swimmers, entering the water after drinking can be extremely dangerous. On average 73 people lose their lives each year through a substance-related drowning, this is over 20% of the annual accidental drowning fatalities.

A number of young people who are working with the charity are spreading the word and offering safety advice in and around our major towns and cities this festive period.

The Youth Leadership Team at RLSS UK have been visiting popular nightlife destinations within their own local areas to deliver the message and asking people to Be a Mate over the coming months to ensure everyone can enjoy their Christmas.

James Cossons, Youth Advisor at RLSS UK, said: “As part of my role in the Youth Leadership Team at RLSS UK, the team and I have been spreading the message of our Don’t Drink and Drown campaign to improve people’s knowledge around water safety.

“It is really important for members of the public to understand the dangers, especially at this time of year, of being around the water after drinking. We want to ensure everyone enjoys the festive period safely and we encourage everyone to be a mate this Christmas.”

Drowning is a significant issue all year-round and one which needs caution this Christmas. The charity is urging people to be mindful and plan their safe routes home away from water.

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 Christmas.

Cold Water Shock: Float to Live

Cold water shock affects your ability to breathe or swim, and leads to drowning. It can affect even the strongest swimmers.

All waters around the UK are cold enough to induce the cold shock effects, even in high summer.

More info: https://rebrand.ly/qpzfccl @RLSSUK @rnli @rospa

The term ‘cold water shock’ refers to a range of natural reactions that our bodies take to protect us when we enter cold water (although these reactions can sometimes work against us). And with cold water being anything from approximately the temperature of a swimming pool and below, we are not just talking about icy cold water here.

So what are the effects of Cold Water Shock?

There are three stages that your body goes through during cold water shock, starting with one that you will be familiar with a mild version of from getting into the swimming pool…a gasp for breath, this is then followed by rapid breathing (hyperventilation).

At the same time as your breathing goes out of control, your blood pressure shoots up as your body tries to keep your blood warm by moving it towards the middle of your body (this is why you go pale when you’re cold).

Once your breathing is back under control, this is your window to get out of the water before the further effects of cold water shock kick in.

As your muscles cool, your strength, endurance and muscle control reduces to the point when you can’t swim any longer so can’t rescue yourself. The point at which you can’t swim any more is called ‘swim failure’, and if you haven’t got out of the water or managed to get hold of a buoyancy aid (like a lifejacket) by this time, you will drown.

What about hypothermia?

There is a lot of talk of people dying from hypothermia after falling into cold water, but the truth is that unless they have a way of surviving past the point of swim failure (like wearing a lifejacket), you will drown before you become hypothermic.

Even in really cold water, it takes at least 30 minutes for you to become hypothermic. Crucially, hypothermia remains a risk even when you get out of the water unless you get out of the cold and warm up efficiently and quickly.

Is cold water shock really responsible for lots of drownings?

It is difficult to identify if cold water shock was the cause of a drowning or not, but this is what we know:

All waters around the UK are cold enough to induce the cold shock effects, even in high summer.
Over 60% of drownings are of people who have ended up in the water by accident, so they’re normally very close to the edge, but something stops them from being able to get out safely.
A sudden rise in blood pressure can be fatal for people with a pre-existing heart condition. Each year a number of people who are suspected of drowning, turn out to have had a heart attack.
Studies show that people’s ability to swim in cold water is much less than their ability in a warm swimming pool.
Survivors of drowning have described how the effects of cold water shock made it difficult for them to survive.

What should you do if you fall into the water?

First, keep your mouth away from the water until you have your breathing back under control, you can do this by rolling onto your back and floating or paddling to stay at the surface.

Then, don’t waste any time and swim towards an exit before your muscles start to cool, or swim towards something that will help you to stay afloat whilst you are calling for help.

Finally, once you are out of the water re-warm yourself as soon as you can to avoid hypothermia.

Drowning Prevention Week is the national campaign run by the Royal Life Saving Society UK to cut down the number of drownings that occur each year. Please support RLSS UK by donating to help save lives

Prof Mike Tipton, Cold Water Shock

Professor Mike Tipton of the University of Portsmouth provides an excellent insight into the effects of cold water, why it can be dangerous and what can be done to keep yourself safe.

Warning: this video will save lives.