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Water Safety

Your job is to listen carefully and learn

Our job is to teach you how to stay safe around water

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Most people who are rescued from water have entered accidentally.

WATER SAFETY

Slipping, tripping or falling whilst running, walking or cycling.

How?

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WATER SAFETY

Some people put themselves in danger by choosing to swim and jump into water where it is not safe.

Strong currents, dumped rubbish, strong winds, pollution and water temperatures can all be hidden dangers.

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EVEN THE STRONGEST SWIMMERS CAN GET INTO TROUBLE IN THE WATER

Hurting themselves when they fall in

Getting caught on hazards hidden below the water’s surface

Suffering from cold water shock

Getting caught in strong currents

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COLD WATER SHOCK

Falling or jumping into water at this temperature causes dangerous responses in your body:

Even in the middle of summer, the water in rivers, lakes and canals rarely rises above 12 degrees.

Panicking & gasping for air

Numbing of arms & legs

Feeling confused

Increased heart rate

All of which stop you being able to swim!

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  • Lie back in a starfish shape
  • Move arms & legs gently to stay afloat
  • Calm your breathing
  • Shout for help

FLOAT TO LIVE

If you get into trouble in the water, make sure you know how to ‘Float to Live’.

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ALWAYS

Call 999

SOMEONE STRUGGLING IN WATER

Should you enter

the water to help

a person or an animal in trouble?

NEVER!

If you jump in to help, you put yourself in danger too!

If you are at the beach the coastguard will come to help you.

If you are at inland open water the fire service will come to help you. This includes rivers, lakes, canals, quarries and reservoirs.

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WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IN A

WATER EMERGENCY?

Call 999 immediately

Tell the person to lie on their back and ‘Float to Live’

Throw something that floats – safety equipment or even a football!

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STAYING SAFE AT THE BEACH

Look for the red and yellow flags and swim between these

Never use inflatables – it’s very easy to be blown out to sea - save these for the pool instead

Stay within your depth and only enter the water if there is a lifeguard

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STAYING SAFE ON THE WATER

Always wear a lifejacket if you are taking part in any kind of activity on the water.

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SAFETY EQUIPMENT NEAR WATER

When you’re near water, look around to see if there is any safety equipment just in case you need it.

Each place you go might have different safety advice displayed too.

You might see…

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SAFETY EQUIPMENT NEAR WATER

A lifebuoy

A rescue cabinet

Safety signs

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Question Time

1. What should you do

if you are in trouble

in the water ?

2. What number do you

call if someone needs

help in the water?

3. What should you wear

when you are doing a

water activity ?

FLOAT

TO

LIVE

999

Life

Jacket

Where there is a Lifeguard

Never

4. Where is safe

to swim?

5. Should you ever enter the water to help someone in trouble ?

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You should NEVER enter the water to help someone struggling

FLOAT TO LIVE saves lives

Even strong swimmers get into trouble in the water

ALWAYS call 999 if someone is struggling in the water

There are hidden dangers in all types of water

You should always wear a life jacket when doing a water activity

Look out for safety equipment and advice near the water

A QUICK REVIEW

Stay away from the water’s edge when walking, running or cycling

ALWAYS swim where there is a Lifeguard

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3. Water is fun but ALWAYS dangerous

Remember…

2 . ALWAYS call 999 and wait for help

1. NEVER enter the water to help someone

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