Advice on Water Safety

Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Crews at the weekend attended two incidents in which people lost their lives after getting into difficulties in water.

In one incident Swift Water Rescue personnel from Knightswood and Renfrew community fire stations searched the River Kelvin and found and removed 13-year-old Declan Shanley from a deep pool in the river. Sadly, Declan was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

In the other incident, personnel and a rescue boat from Knightswood Community Fire Station assisted Central Fire & Rescue Service in the search for a man who drowned while swimming in Loch Lubnaig in Stirlingshire.

Following these two tragic deaths on inland waters Strathclyde Fire & Rescue advises the public to take extreme care in and around canals, ponds, rivers, reservoirs and lochs during the summer holiday period.

As the warm weather continues and school holidays begin, there is concern that the public are underestimating the serious risks involved.

Whilst acknowledging that people safely enjoy a wide variety of leisure activities in and around water, lochs, reservoirs and rivers in Scotland have hidden dangers that make them unsuitable and unsafe for swimming or bathing.

We would ask parents to warn children and young people of the dangers of playing near water and make them aware of the water safety code:-

Spot the Hazards and Dangers
Check the weather forecast for the day and go equipped for the conditions. Check out the area when you arrive. Check out where the help points are and look for safety information and advice.

Take Notice of Safety Advice
Notices will warn of specific dangers particular to the area that you are visiting, there may be a safety information notice at your point of arrival. Know what the signs mean and do what they tell you.

Go Together
Children should always go with an adult, not by themselves. Before allowing children to explore or play in the area, point out the dangers and establish where they are allowed to go and where they are not. If you are planning a trip alone, for example a boating or fishing trip, ensure that someone knows your plans including your intended whereabouts and expected time of return.

Learn How to Help
you may be able to help yourself and others if you know what to do in an emergency. Always get help, shout for help and send someone to ring 999. Do not jump into water to rescue someone; a drowning person may pull you under the water. If it is too dangerous to help, leave the rescue to the emergency services. Take some basic first aid training so that you know what to do in an emergency.

Water Sports and Leisure Activities
There are many opportunities for leisure connected with inland waters, people enjoy a variety of experiences as diverse as fishing, boating or sailing. In addition there are many water-sports available; scuba diving, windsurfing, canoeing and rafting.

These are some basic safety points common to all types of water activity:-

• Get some training in the activity that you are planning to do
• Once trained, know your limitations; build up experience gradually in a variety of conditions
• Join a recognised club to gain further information, training and support
• Plan and organise your trip/activity and ensure that someone has details of it
• Know what the emergency procedures are for the environment that you are in and ensure that you have the relevant safety equipment with you and that it is working properly

Fire chiefs advise people participating in water sports or leisure activities to:-

• Always wear a buoyancy aid or life jacket.
• Swim only at supervised swimming pools or beaches, patrolled by lifeguards with relevant training, rescue equipment and emergency procedures.
• Never use reservoirs, lochs, rivers, ponds, canals or other similar unsafe waters, instead visit your local swimming pool or life-guarded beach.