GetWaterWise: Have you got what it takes to help save a life?
The Royal Life Saving Society wants to recruit volunteers to help spread life saving water safety messages
Last updated 19th Aug 2021
Water safety experts are urging people to come forward to help provide crucial life saving advice to young people.
The Royal Life Saving Society say currently 30% of their clubs are struggling to reopen after the pandemic because they don't have enough volunteers.
The Life Saving Clubs provide advice and training to young people to prevent accidental drownings in the future
Could you help save a life?
In a 12 day period at the end of July 2021, 47 lives were lost in our waterways.
Ahead of the summer, drowning experts warned of a "perfect storm" of warm weather, fewer summer holidays, and children mixing for the first time after multiple lockdowns.
We launched our #GetWaterWise campaign to teach people about the dangers, share stories of those who've lost loved ones, and try and reduce the number of lives lost
"No doubt it's saved lives"
Lee Heard from the RLSS told us "There's been a really great summer of water safety messaging, and there's no doubt it's saved lives."
Now there's an opportunity for members of the public to play their part in saving lives, by volunteering at their local RLSS branch.
Lee said: "What we want to do is give people the opportunity to come forward to support us, volunteer for our local life saving clubs that provide local, practical advice to young people about how to have fun in the water, but also how to stay safe in the water.
"This is a great way for you to get involved, and help people enjoy the water safely."
A range of roles are available from behind the scenes to pool side volunteers.
Find out about the Royal Life Saving Society volunteering opportunities where you are
Life saving work
Reporter Aaron Renfree discovers how important RLSS volunteers are
#GetWaterWise: Know the facts
Follow this advice, and stay safe around water
During hot summer days, lakes, rivers, reservoirs and the sea can look really tempting.
But beneath the surface can lie hidden dangers, cold temperatures an unexpected currents.
The Royal Life Saving Society has this advice to stay safe.
Look out for lifeguards
If you're looking for a place to cool off always find a lifeguarded swimming site.
It’s colder than it looks
Water at open water and inland sites is often much colder than it looks, cold water can affect your ability to swim and self-rescue.
Don’t go too far
Always swim parallel to the shore, that way you're never too far away from it.
It's stronger than it looks
Currents in the water can be very strong. If you find yourself caught in a riptide – don't swim against it – you'll tire yourself out. Swim with the current and call for help.
Bring a friend
Always bring a friend when you go swimming so if anything goes wrong you've got someone there to help.