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Information Sheet
May 2022
May 2022
Open Water Safety
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Holiday time is fast approaching. Water is going to be playing it’s part in having a good time for those who like water based holidays wherever they are.
If you have been watching the news, you will be aware that accidents have started happen. Please try to remember to stay safe, do a risk assessment. Talk to locals, coast guards etc. |
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Also:
This is not an exhaustive list of things to be aware of. It just gives an idea.
All responsible organisations: Youth groups, schools, walking groups, camping groups, canoeing, boating, etc., should be interested in a talk.
Ambulances, as I am sure you know, are becoming more difficult to attend in any situation. If you are “getting away from it all”, it could be even harder. Can you look after yourselves, or others? Have you got the ability? Have you got the “What 3 Words” app on your phone. Make it easy to be found, help to save time.
Become more aware and more informed. Book a Water Safety talk. “Accidents” can happen anywhere at anytime. Doing your best is the way to try to make sure that everyone should come back happy with nothing but good memories.
All First Aid is very useful but CPR is a must when holidaying near water. Please learn it.
- Having swimming lessons in an indoor pool is good but the skills learned are not always readily transferable to outside water. ( see face immersion below )
- Water transfers heat 24/25 times faster than air.
- Hypothermia is always a threat. Playing, splashing, swimming (200m) in outside water can chill quickly.
- Sudden total cold water immersion can cause shock-trauma, torso reflex, cardiac arrest. Be aware.
- Putting a face flat in the water can slow heart rate.
- Shallow water is not always the safest. Falling in shallow water, there is no cushion.
- Look for the beach flags. If none, be very careful.
- Look for rip currents.
- Do not go near gravel pits.
- Some inland waters have activity areas, stay within them. If there are no activity areas or prohibition signs, stay away.
- Fast flowing rivers are great to see and hear, do not wade in them. 6” of fast water can knock you off your feet.
- 12” of fast flowing water can move a small car, 24” of fast flowing water can move a large car.
- Do not leave children on their own near water at any time or for any reason.
- A small dingy and inflated rubber/plastic rings are not seaworthy, wind/tide can move them away quickly. Children must be monitored at all times. Stay with it at all times.
- Make sure that others know where you are, if you change your plans let the others know.
- A garden pond with a small fence around it can be a large danger. A toddler can trip over the fence, legs can be held high on top of the fence leaving the face pressed down towards the water.
This is not an exhaustive list of things to be aware of. It just gives an idea.
All responsible organisations: Youth groups, schools, walking groups, camping groups, canoeing, boating, etc., should be interested in a talk.
Ambulances, as I am sure you know, are becoming more difficult to attend in any situation. If you are “getting away from it all”, it could be even harder. Can you look after yourselves, or others? Have you got the ability? Have you got the “What 3 Words” app on your phone. Make it easy to be found, help to save time.
Become more aware and more informed. Book a Water Safety talk. “Accidents” can happen anywhere at anytime. Doing your best is the way to try to make sure that everyone should come back happy with nothing but good memories.
All First Aid is very useful but CPR is a must when holidaying near water. Please learn it.