THEY say every picture tells a story and the one below illustrates the RNLI’s latest water safety campaign.
On World Drowning Prevention Day (25 July) the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) launched a ‘Find Your Float’ campaign to encourage people to practice self-rescue and survival techniques.
So, the RNLI held an event at UWC Atlantic College, inviting a random group to practice the lifesaving float technique. (Reporters were invited but this one chickened out!)
Chris Cousens, RNLI regional water safety lead, said: “The RNLI is aware of at least 50 people who have used floating to help save themselves after getting into difficulty in the water.
“Everyone can float, although not everybody floats in the same way, so the more people we get finding out what floating looks and feels like for them by practising in a safe and supervised environment, the more potential lives that could be saved.”
Ben Pritchard, the gold-medal winning Paralympic and European para-rower, and a former RNLI lifeboat crew and lifeguard, said: “I think for people in my position who have spinal injuries or are (wheel)chair users, this is a really important campaign, because our instant worry is that we do sink because we don’t have core control, we don’t have muscle activation to help us get up.
“And what I found in the water today… even though my feet were dropping down, my airway was clear, just by making sure my ears were under the water and I was leaning back.
“I think for anyone that has mobility issues or may worry that they are not strong enough – the easiest thing was just to relax, tilt your head back, get those ears in the water and float. Get those ears in the water, get that airway clear and give yourself two minutes, and then start shouting for help and trying to get attention.”
Maxine Johnson’s son Reuben was 15 when he drowned after getting into difficulty in Pontsticill Reservoir, Bannau Brycheiniog in 2006. She said: “Supporting ‘Find Your Float’ for World Drowning Prevention Day means we are highlighting the dangers that open water can present and the importance of water safety education.
“No one ever thinks it will happen to them, or their friend or family member – but the truth is, anyone can get into difficulty in the water.
“It was a very hot day when Reuben was celebrating with friends after finishing his GCSEs. They entered the water to swim across the reservoir and Reuben suffered cold-water shock, tragically never making it to the other side.
“The impact of our loss is indescribable, but I want to make sure that other parents, children and young people, don’t go through the same pain we’ve suffered. I am keeping Reuben’s memory alive through raising awareness.”
By Philip Irwin – Senior Reporter
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