Grieving dad of Loch Doon victim welcomes water safety lessons in schools
Around 70,000 children will be offered water safety lessons to mark Drowning Prevention week.
The father of Scott Ferries- a man that drowned after cold water shock in Loch Doon – is welcoming a new range of safety lessons being taught to children this week to mark drowning prevention week.
Scott tragically lost his life in April this year after his kayak capsized on Loch Doon and he drowned.
His father James who worked in the same garage as his son has been working to see a range of new safety measures introduced around the area after the incident, including more life rings, warnings and the possibility of a permanent boat being stationed there for emergencies.
He says if one life can be saved from teaching people about the dangers of cold water and introducing more precautions then it would be brilliant.
James told West FM: I’m happy with the progress, although it is slow, but the fact they are now doing training and teaching kids in schools including Doon Academy, especially teenagers, about the dangers of cold-water shock is good.
“If it even manages to save one more life and to stop a family from suffering the pain mine are going through, then it would be absolutely brilliant.
“I suppose the biggest thing I would say is, it doesn’t matter if you are super fit, because that didn’t make a difference to my son.
“For anyone swimming this year in Scottish waters, just be very careful and don’t think you can already swim, because as soon as the cold water shock hits you, you cant.
“I just hope this makes a difference to somebody.”
It comes as the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) organised for 70,000 children to be offered water safety lessons this week.
Euan Lowe, Scottish Swimming Chief Executive Officer, said: “Ensuring children can learn to swim will provide essential life skills to keep them safe in around water following a period when they may have risked missing out on the learning and fun that goes with it.
“As part of the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s Drowning Prevention week, coaches will be delivering lessons specially adapted to include key water safety guidance including the Water Safety Code and basic skills such as floating which are needed to survive in cold water.”
The number of swimming casualties in Scotland took a sharp rise between 2020, and 2021 with 57 people accidentally drowning in the country, including seven people in one high tempratured weekend last July.
The Royal Nation Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) also reported a 10% increase in the number of rescue launches between 2020-2021. They said last summer seen 267,000 people visiting lifeguarded Scottish beaches and they are expecting more this year.
What’s more, the charity’s lifesavers saw 314 incidents and aided nearly 400 people on the eight beaches they patrol.
Laura Erskine, RNLI Water Safety Education Manager for Scotland, says: ‘As the warmer weather appears and the school holidays begin, we expect to see Scotland’s beaches getting busier. It is important to remember how to keep you and your family safe this summer by following the simple advice of Float to Live.
‘It’s important to remember that even though the weather is warmer, the water can still be significantly cold, so it is vitally important to take caution and remember to Float to Live if you get into trouble.”