Following the tragic spate of drownings over May half term, where 12 children and five adults drowned in just one week, the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s (RLSS UK) annual national water safety campaign, Drowning Prevention Week, became more critical than ever. The campaign, now in its 13th year, has new resources for teenagers, one of the groups most at risk of accidental drowning.
Many accidental drownings are preventable, say the RLSS. Effective water safety education plays a vital role in helping people enjoy water safely and know how to respond if they find themselves in danger in or around water.
Jo Talbot, Commercial Director for RLSS UK, said: “The skill of swimming alone is not enough to keep someone safe in, on or around water. Water safety education is essential, and it must be accessible to everyone, regardless of background.
“As our first water safety education partner, GLL will help us embed vital water safety knowledge and skills into swimming lessons for all ages.
“Together, we want every swimmer to be capable, confident, and safe, and we will continue working to make that a reality.” For 135 years, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has been sharing its expertise in water safety, lifesaving, and lifeguarding to help everyone enjoy water safely.
Over the last five years, 3,615 people have fatally drowned in the UK and Ireland. RLSS UK is a charity that aims to prevent these tragedies by engaging with communities and providing high-quality water safety education. RLSS UK has 18,633 members across the UK and Ireland who contribute their time, energy and expertise to create communities free from drowning. Each year, RLSS UK awards over 160,000 lifesaving awards.
RLSS UK’s new Ambassador, Tom Dean MBE, triple Olympic swimming champion and founder of Tom Dean Swim School, will help the campaign by presenting a major water safety education event for 700 schoolchildren and by speaking at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Water Safety Education to encourage the Government to provide consistent swimming and water safety education for all.
“All children should have the opportunity to learn lifesaving water safety skills,” he said. “I am thrilled to become an RLSS UK ambassador, as their work to ensure everyone in the UK and Ireland, no matter their background, can safely enjoy the benefits of being in and around water aligns strongly with my personal values. I am looking forward to seeing everything we can achieve together.”
