Drowning Prevention Week raising awareness of summer water safety
People are being reminded to be aware of their surroundings in the water
Ahead of Drowning Prevention week starting tomorrow, emergency services and rescue teams are coming together to help prevent water related injuries and deaths.
They will be spreading information on do's and don'ts to keep people enjoying the water safely this summer, without a spike in injuries or deaths.
Nith Inshore Rescue Service worker Peter Bryden believes the more informed people are the better.
He said: “we’re not trying to prevent anyone from enjoying themselves at all, but what we want people to do is assess what they’re doing, take safe precautions before they go out, let people know they’re going into the water, and make sure they wear the proper equipment when they do so.”
Young people in particular are being asked not to underestimate the dangers of being in the water.
Nithsdale Lifesavers Club volunteer, Angus McCormick said: “different bits might have different depths, you might look and it might look deep enough, but if you jump in, it might not be as deep as you think, and can lead to quite severe injuries.
“Closer to the coast you get rip currents, different inshore dangers, and it can just have an impact.”
Mr Bryden says there are many factors it is important for swimmers to remember.
He stressed: “not knowing how cold the water is, cold water shock, is one of the biggest causes of death in relation to the water. Not knowing what’s underneath the water either, people think it’s okay to jump in off bridges but there could often be a shopping trolley or something underneath there.
It’s understanding your surroundings, being aware and being confident in your abilities as well.”
Police Scotland are using the week to remind people of the risks of consuming alcohol near the water.
Inspector Stuart McColm said: “Accidents can and do happen, however use of alcohol certainly increases the chances of an adverse incident, and of the risk really escalating in the event of an incident, if there’s alcohol involved it can often be worse.”