Saving Lives - Respect The Water Campaign
Accidental drowning takes the lives of roughly 400 UK and Irish citizens each year, with 44% of these drownings happening between May and August. Nearly half of those that lost their lives due to drowning never intended to be in the water, often jumping in to save others.
To help raise awareness of the potential risks around water bodies and what to do when someone is in danger, Brett is supporting the new joint campaign #RespectTheWater. The #RespectTheWater campaign originated from RNLI, and has become the national campaign for members of the National Water Safety Forum, which include RLSS, RoSPA, HM Coastguard, Fire and Rescue Service, The Mineral Products Association (MPA) and many more.
Nigel Jackson, MPA Chief Executive said: “In a summer which has already seen multiple drownings, including a fatality in a disused quarry, MPA is actively supporting this campaign and the activities of the National Water Safety Forum. It is important that we all share the campaign messages and resources with friends, families and employees, as widely as possible.”
It’s essential that people understand the dangers and know what to do in an emergency should they find themselves or others in danger in the water. The RNLI recommends the following lifesaving information when in and around the water:
If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, float to increase your chances of survival. Float to Live – Respect The Water
If you see someone else in trouble in the water, fight your instinct to jump in and save those in danger. Call 999 and ask for the following services:
- For inland waters, ask for Fire & Rescue
- For Coastal waters, ask for The Coastguard
To understand the importance of water safety, please visit the RNLI website for survivor stories and the Respect The Water campaign website for more information #RespectTheWater