Travel association ABTA has teamed up with the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) to launch their Swim Safe campaign, urging holidaymakers to stay safe in the water this summer.
It comes after new research by ABTA revealed that one in five people know someone who has got into difficulty while swimming on holiday. Nikki White, ABTA’s head of destinations and sustainability, said: “Swimming should be one of the pleasures of a holiday, but knowing your ability and knowing what to do to keep safe is vital. Simple steps can save lives.”
Sadly, accidents happen each year and drownings are reported which could have been avoided by taking some simple precautions. Last year ABTA members reported 16 fatal drowning incidents abroad, seven in swimming pools and nine in the sea. According to the RLSS numbers of UK citizens drowning abroad have been known to peak at 75 in a single year.
The Swim Safe campaign highlights a number of tips for holidaymakers, including supervising children at all times, familiarising yourself with the surroundings and knowing your swimming ability.
RLSS chief executive, Di Steer said: “As the UK’s drowning prevention charity we are delighted to join ABTA in highlighting safety issues to all those heading off on holiday. We all know water is fun but it’s truly tragic that accidental drowning causes deaths every year, and that near drowning experiences – many of which could have been avoided – are all too common.”
