03/06/2021
Message from the Chair
It is a huge honour to be appointed Chair of the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF). I very much look forward to working with all agencies and members who are supporting water safety and drowning prevention, both in the UK and beyond.
For those who don’t know me, I have been part of the NWSF coordinating group since 2013 as the lead officer representing the National Fire Chief’s Council.
I was involved in the group that helped develop the UK Drowning Prevention Strategy and I was also previously Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS).
In my day job as a Chief Fire Officer in East Sussex, I know all about prevention being better than the cure. This ethos underpins my advocacy for water safety and leads me to seek greater collaboration to achieve better outcomes, with a focus on risk.
I am also passionate about supporting families who have lost loved ones in the water and I remain in awe of the fantastic work they do to support the UK drowning prevention effort.
Inclusion is another key driver for me. I think everyone should be able to benefit from the physical and health benefits that can be gained from being in, on, and by the beautiful water locations in the UK.
I was born and bred in Wales, so I know a thing or two about beautiful rugged coasts and glorious inland lakes and rivers, making me equally committed to both being safe to visit for all.
I hope to meet and engage with many of you during the coming months. However, please be assured that if we don’t get to meet, I will be working hard with the other members of the NWSF co-ordinating group to ensure the delivery of our collaborative aims.
You may have noticed a few changes to the format of this newsletter, if you have any feedback or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact info@nationalwatersafety.org.uk.
As a final note, on behalf of all members of the NWSF I would like to thank our previous Chair, George Rawlinson MBE, for his dedication and service.
Until next time,
Dawn Whittaker
Chair of the National Water Safety Forum.
Accidental drowning figures 2020
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The water incident database (WAID) figures for 2020 are now available.
Key accidental drowning death WAID insights include:
1. Inland open waters, such as rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and quarries continue to be the leading locations for accidental drowning and unintended entry into the water with a total of 58% (N=139).
2. Males continue to over represent with 78% of deaths (N=199).
3. Almost half (43%) of people had no intention to enter the water, such as those walking, with causes including slips, trips and falls, being cut off by the tide, or swept in by waves (N= 107).
You can access the figures via our new interactive report, which allows users to visualise water-related incidents by local authority area, as well as explore how demographic factors, such as age and gender, impact on accidental drowning and unintentional entry into open water.
The interactive report contains information relating to UK water incidents that were reported between 2014-2020.
Speaking with one voice: #RespectTheWater
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Following a concerning increase in water-related deaths in 2020, over 50 organisations, for the first time, issued coordinated water safety advice for those visiting and enjoying waterways and coastlines as part of the #RespectTheWater campaign. This joint campaign, run by the NWSF, aims to reduce the number of water-related deaths and accidents.
In a call to action, members of the NWSF are asking everyone to support and promote the national #RespectTheWater campaign, to reduce drowning this summer. You can find the branding guidelines here.
The national campaign aims to provide simple lifesaving advice, which can help members of the public take personal responsibility for their own, and for their family’s safety by remembering these lifesaving tips:
1. If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live. Lean back and use your arms and legs to help you float, then get control of your breathing before calling for help or swimming to safety.
2. If you see someone else in trouble in the water, call 999 or 112. If you are at the coast ask for the coastguard, if you are inland, ask for the fire service.
At present several organisations have already adopted the Respect The Water campaign. Respect The Water messaging will feature in the Royal Life Saving Society's Drowning Prevention Week (19th-26th June) and was mentioned in The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Her Majesty’s (HM) Coastguard joint beach safety campaign.
The NWSF marketing and communication group has been re-established and will soon be looking at the longer-term campaign strategy. If anyone wants to contribute ideas please contact the RTW email address (RTW@nationalwatersafety.org.uk)
UN Resolution on Drowning Prevention
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For the first time in its 75 year history, the United Nations (UN) has adopted a resolution on drowning prevention. Initiated by Bangladesh and Ireland, and co-sponsored by 79 countries, the resolution recognises the devastating effect of drowning across the world. This will also see the first-ever World Drowning Prevention Day which will be held on July 25.
The UN’s resolution has been passed by the General Assembly and affirms the fact that drowning is preventable and stresses the need for member states to have a coordinated response. The resolution requests all 193 Member States of the United Nations to do the following:
1. Appoint a national focal point for drowning prevention
2. Develop a national drowning prevention plan
3. Develop drowning prevention programming in line with the WHO’s recommendations
4. Ensure enactment and effective enforcement of water safety laws
5. Encourage the registration of drowning deaths
6. Promote drowning prevention public awareness
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Coastal Working Group: Quarterly Recap
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As we enter the busy summer season – ahead of a year predicted to be like no other – the National Water Safety Forum’s Coastal Group met virtually in May to reflect on the progress made to date.
To name but a few highlights: The National Water Safety Forum were pleased to share the updated version of the COVID 19 beach safety guidance for local authorities, owners, managers and operators.
The annual, upcoming Maritime Safety Week campaign (5-9 July) – a central government initiative for maritime safety – was discussed and the potential for joined up activity and roundtables, with a particular emphasis this year on beach safety.
The working group will meet again in early September to reflect on the summer.
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Between June 19-26, The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) will be running their annual awareness-raising campaign: Drowning Prevention Week.
Drowning Prevention Week (DPW) aims to equip everybody across the UK and Ireland with the skills and knowledge, to make the right decisions about water safety.
Throughout 2020 and 2021, millions of children have missed out on vital swimming, lifesaving skills, and water safety education during the pandemic due to pool closures, leaving a dramatic gap in school swimming and water safety education.
RLSS UK believes that through free, accessible education and training, everyone can enjoy water safely, have fun in the water and develop an essential life skill. We urge as many partners as possible to encourage parents and carers to get involved with the campaign, use free online resources, and lessons and give children the skills to enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water.
The campaign includes a series of social media resources, available in both English and Welsh, to help share vital messages.
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19/05/2021
Following a concerning increase in water-related deaths last year, over 50 organisations are, for the first time, issuing coordinated water safety advice for those visiting and enjoying waterways and coastlines as part of the #RespectTheWater campaign. This joint campaign, run by the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF), aims to reduce the number of water-related deaths and accidents.
The collaborating members of the NWSF, come from a wide range of sectors including sports governing bodies, rescue services, charities, regulators, navigation and harbour authorities, local government, utilities and those representing quarry operators.
In a call to action, members of the NWSF are asking everyone to support and promote the national #RespectTheWater campaign, to reduce drowning this summer.
The national campaign aims to provide simple lifesaving advice, which can help members of the public take personal responsibility for their own and family’s safety by remembering these lifesaving tips:
- If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live.
- Lean back and use your arms and legs to help you float, then get control of your breathing before calling for help or swimming to safety.
- If you see someone else in trouble in the water, call 999 or 112. If you are the coast ask for the coastguard, if you are inland, ask for the fire service.
The aim of this landmark coordinated approach is to significantly increase public awareness of key water safety risks as summer approaches and lockdown lifts.
The campaign comes with the latest figures from the Water Incident Database (WAID), which is maintained by the NWSF. It shows that there were 254 deaths in UK waters from accidental drownings in 2020 across inland and coastal locations, this is an increase of 34 from the previous year. These accidental drownings form part of the total water-related fatalities in the UK which stands at 631 for 2020, an increase of 10 on the previous year.
Key accidental drowning death WAID insights include:
- Inland open waters, such as rivers, canals,lakes, reservoirs and quarries continue to be the leading locations with 58% of deaths (N=139).
- Males continue to over represent with 78% of deaths (N=199).
- Almost half of (43%) people had no intention to enter the water, such as those walking, with causes including slips, trips and falls, being cut off by the tide, or swept in by waves (N= 107).
Dawn Whittaker, CEO East Sussex Fire Rescue Service & NWSF Chair-Designate said:
“Last summer presented considerable challenges at our coastal and inland waterways. This has meant that members of the National Water Safety Forum have decided to come together around the #RespectTheWater campaign to help prevent further deaths. We urge the public to understand the dangers, to learn the importance of knowing how to float to live, and to call 999 if others are in trouble and if there is a water related emergency.
We will continue to work together to reduce deaths caused by drowning and water related injuries in the UK, and endeavour to reach our collective goal of halving accidental drownings in the UK by 2026. This comes at a time when the global community have committed to a UN resolution that recognises for the first time the scale and burden of drowning and calls for urgent international action.”
To view and download the WAID 2020 report visit: https://nationalwatersafety.org.uk/waid/annual-reports-and-data/
Read More >
06/05/2021
Reflections and preparations - Summer 2021
As we enter May and approach the busy summer season – ahead of a year predicted to be like no other – the National Water Safety Forum’s Coastal Group met virtually to reflect on the progress and preparations in place by all members, which will help keep the public and staff stay safe on beaches.
To name but a few highlights: The National Water Safety Forum were pleased to share the updated version of the COVID 19 beach safety guidance for local authorities, owners, managers and operators. The guidance has been developed to help mitigate drowning and water-related harm at beaches, while also covering the challenges and practical considerations of seeking to maintain social distancing at the beach. Find out more here.
HM Coastguard gave insight on how coastguard incident data is being used to support stakeholders and partners by identifying activities and locations where emergency search and rescue help is required at the coast. The data is being shared so that necessary mitigations can be taken. The update also included future plans to give HM Coastguard staff access to live data, which can be shared to inform and shape stakeholder activity and action in relation to beach safety.
A single national message
The RNLI presented on the #RespectTheWater brand. The group recapped on the progress and looked to the future of how the forum will apply the new brand across all organisations – an existing RNLI brand which has been refreshed and remodelled for national use. It has been designed with the aim to unify and amplify water safety messages with a single, national call to action that can be applied to both coastal and inland messaging by the forum and beyond. It will also feature in the joint RNLI and HM Coastguard beach safety campaign going live this summer.
Key dates, news and activities
Members also reflected on the new UN General Assembly resolution, committed to greater international efforts to prevent drowning, which also introduces the first-ever World Drowning Prevention Day (July 25). The virtual room touched upon the potential plans for the future in relation to the day and opportunities for safety messaging.
The annual, upcoming Maritime Safety Week campaign (5-9 July) – a central government initiative for maritime safety – was discussed and the potential for joined up activity and roundtables, with a particular emphasis this year on beach safety.
RoSPA reported on emerging projects including digital interventions for public rescue equipment like life rings, exploring issues and the possibility for new guidance around placement and types of equipment for various locations, plus much more.
The working group will meet again in early September to reflect on the summer.
Read More >
23/04/2021
We are pleased to share the updated version of Maintaining the safety of the public and staff on coastal beaches during COVID-19.
Following national lock downs across the UK, April 2021 saw Covid-19 restrictions begin to ease around the country which now gives more freedom for the public to access beaches and water sport activities. The revised document is designed to sit alongside and highlight home nation plans and advice.
We would like to thank the many organisations who shaped this update by way of review and survey input and to the drafting team and those who provided case studies.
The document can be viewed here.
Feedback is welcome via the contact us form.
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14/04/2021
The government’s Spring 2021 Roadmap is a four-step plan aiming to ease lockdown restrictions across England*.
On Monday April 12, England entered into the ‘Step 2’ of the country’s ‘roadmap’ out of COVID restrictions.
*Guidance for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
What the changes mean for water and leisure activities:
Outdoor club training resumed on March 29 alongside the reopening of open-air swimming pools and open water venues.
On April 12, indoor swimming pools and aqua parks reopened and indoor club activity for under 18’s was permitted again
If you are planning to put on event, please consider the following:
An event can take place at Step 2 if:
- All three of the following conditions are met:
a) The event takes place outdoors
b) Attendees are expected to arrive and leave the event in a staggered manner throughout the day
c) It does not involve attendees converging on and congregating in a site for a specific discrete performance or activity, such as a theatre or music performance, OR
- It is a drive-in performance or show.
Remember that all events organised should be managed with social distancing in mind.
As with Step 1b, spectators are not permitted to attend sporting events taking place on private land, other than adults needed to supervise under-18s that they have a responsibility for or providing care or assistance to a person with disabilities participating in an organised sporting event or activity.
They should maintain social distance and not mix with other households. This does not prevent people from viewing recreational or organised sport that is taking place in a public space, e.g. a park, at Step 1b or Step 2, in groups of up to 6 people or 2 households. However, sporting events that are intended to attract spectators (including ticketed events), or events that are likely to attract a significant number of spectators (e.g. a major marathon) should not take place in a public space, or on private land, until Step 3.
Organised events guidance for local authorities in England has been published by the Government and is available to view on our Covid-19 advice page.
The advice is subject to change and the National Water Safety Forum will keep members updated.
Read More >
