Life Saving Solutions Ltd would like to thank South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue for permission to use their article and associated graphic.
This week South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service are supporting the national Be Water Aware campaign, along with Fire Services across the country, that urges people to stay safe around open water.
Why do we do it? For Taylor. He was a strong swimmer, described by his family as an amazing lad, yet at just 18-years-old he tragically died after jumping into Skelbrooke Quarry in Doncaster.
As soon as he entered the water, from a 30ft bank, his body suffered from cold water shock and temporarily shut down. The inquest ruled that he died from immersion in water.
We don’t just do it for Taylor, though. There are hundreds of other people who have sadly lost their lives in open water in recent years. We do it for them, too.
Our message is simple - stay out of the water unless you are part of an organised open water swimming group!
Lakes, quarries, reservoirs and rivers can all be much colder than they look, and you have no idea what’s underneath - broken glass, trollies, hidden currents, are just a few examples.
Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your kids. Open water is not safe unless you’re part of an organised group.
Please, don’t become another drowning statistic.
For more information about this subject, or planning for future courses, get in touch with Life Saving Solutions. 01246 417377 or 07736 257453