Water safety reminders to people in the North East after recent tragic deaths
It is part of World Drowning Prevention Day today
We're being reminded to take care around open water across the North East and Teesside this weekend after a number of incidents over the last few weeks.
It is part of World Drowning Prevention Day today.
On Sunday 12th July, Wayne Taylor and Ian Pascoe died after saving the lives of two children at Seaton Carew beach.
Meanwhile, a man in his 20s died at Cullercoats Bay and a second man, also in his 20s, was saved and remains in a serious but stable condition on Sunday 19th July.
Adam Goymer, the water safety manager at Swim England, said: "Coastal venues can be really inviting, particularly where you've got a beach that has a gently sloping gradient, so you can find yourself in just knee-high water for quite some time. But actually what you're not always aware of at a coastal venue is where it does that suddenly drop and where shallow water all of a sudden becomes deep.
"We have the power of rip tides, which is a strong force of water that's driving you out to sea, so if you find yourself stuck in a rip tide, what you don't want to do is try and swim directly back to land. You actually want to swim parallel to the shore, so swim out of that rip current and then find yourself back in. Again, if you get into difficulty, it's float to live.
"Go and find a lifeguarded beach, so look for the red and yellow flags, swim in-between, you've got lifeguards there that have surveyed the danger and they've made some decisions already for you. It doesn't mean it's free from danger, there's still hazards in open water, but it's a much safer place to swim."
Following a series of tragic accidental drownings during recent heatwaves, more than 130 charities, emergency services, sporting bodies and search and rescue organisations have united behind the UK's new Drowning Prevention Strategy.
New figures also show more than one in four accidental drowning deaths over the past five years involved young people aged between 10 and 29.
Tthe strategy sets out new plans to improve water safety education, raise awareness of the dangers of open water, and respond to the growing risks posed by hotter weather and more frequent heatwaves.
The National Water Safety Forum's “Find Your Float” campaign encourages everyone to learn and practice how to float. The campaign’s message is that, because everybody floats differently, it’s important everyone to practise what floating looks and feels like for you – it could save your life in an emergency.
This is how to find your float:
• Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
• Relax and try to breathe normally
• Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat
• It’s OK if your legs sink, everybody floats differently
• Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety