Mid And West Wales Fire And Rescue Service Supporting Drowning Prevention And Water Safety Week 2016
The campaign is raising awareness of the everyday dangers of being near water. 44% of people who drowned in 2014 had no intention of entering the water. Trips, falls or underestimating the risks associated with being near water meant that 302 people lost their lives. Adhering to some simple advice can reduce your risk of ending up in the water. By asking people to be ‘water aware’ we aim to reduce the number of fatalities.
This year CFOA have focused the campaign on the issue of people drowning when slipping or falling into water.
Steve Richards, Youth Team Manager at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said “As a Service we have joined forces with South Wales Police, Swansea University Lifesaving Team, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), Swansea Council Water Safety and Drugaid Cymru to launch a local Don’t Drink and Drown campaign.
Our campaign will involve educating local university students about the dangers of being near water when they have been drinking. The team will be visiting Swansea University’s Singleton and Bay campuses to speak to students, making them aware of the dangers of being near water especially at night and when you have been drinking.
I would also actively encourage people to make use of the Help Point, located on the Strand Car Park, Swansea. Help Point is a multi-agency medical facility run by the Ambulance Service, St John’s, Police and University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) Student Volunteers. From there we make appropriate sign postings, help sober people up and get them home safely.”
Remember, in an emergency always call 999. Never ever enter the water to try and save someone!
Spotted something? Got a story? Email News@News.Wales
