17 June 2019

It's Drowning Prevention Week

Around 400 people drown in the UK each year – this equates to one person losing their life every 20 hours with hundreds more suffering from injury, some life-changing.

One third of all victims are runners or walkers who had no intention of entering the water. Rivers, lochs, coastal waters and quarries carry many unseen risks, from strong currents to underwater obstacles and cold water temperatures.  

We want everyone to enjoy the magnificent countryside that Aberdeenshire provides but there are many things to consider before walking or playing near water, or going for a swim. Remember: 

•There may be little indication as to how deep the water might be, although it could be shallow at the edges, underwater shelves can result in much deeper water being very close to the water’s edge.
•It is not always possible to see what is on the bed of the loch or burn, sharp stones, broken glass or other objects could cause injuries. Never jump into the water especially from height, it is easy to misjudge distances and hit hidden obstacles.
•The weather may be warm but the water may still be very cold. It is possible to go into thermal shock if your body temperature changes rapidly. This can make it hard to breathe – even the strongest of swimmers can find swimming hard in these circumstances.
•Many of our watercourses are controlled by dams upstream, and in these cases a small burn can rapidly become a fast flowing rapid if the dam releases water.
•Blue green algal blooms can affect many lochs and areas of still water during the summer, which can be harmful to both humans and animals.
•Although dogs can be good swimmers, they often get into difficulties in strong currents so keep them away from the water when rivers are high and never try to rescue them – they have a better chance of reaching safety than you do!

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE WATER SAFETY CODE

Visit https://www.rlss.org.uk/ for more information, advice and support packs.