WATER SAFETY
With the opening of the canal links through Falkirk, Bonnybridge, Grangemouth and Camelon, the Community Safety Panel wishes to raise safety issues in relation to water safety, and especially in respect of the canals. We hope you will heed the advice and not become a victim of injury or drowning.
Swimming in any water poses dangers so before you jump in we ask that you consider the following safety points.
- Don’t go swimming alone. Who is going to help you or call for help if you get into trouble. Likewise, children should never be left unattended or allowed to wander off out of sight.
- Look out for flags and notices which give information about swimming conditions. Listen and heed any advice given by lifeguards.
- Don’t swim near pipes, rocks, weirs, breakwaters, etc,. It only takes a large wave or change in current to knock you against them.
- Do not go swimming if you have been drinking alcohol. Alcohol and swimming do not mix. Too many people have drowned thinking they can drink and swim. Alcohol affects your judgement and your body metabolism.
- Make sure you know what’s beneath the surface before you go diving in. The water may be shallower than you think and to dive in could result in permanent spinal or other injuries. There may be other dangers on the sea/river bed such as broken bottles, spikes, etc. Wear sandals or old gym shoes when paddling.
- Swim in line to the shore and not out to sea. That way, should you get tired or get cramp you can stand up and wade back to the shore.
- Inflatable lilos should be kept on the beach. Wind and currents can carry them out to sea or down river very quickly. Not only will you have extra distance to swim to get ashore, but you may have to swim against the current that got you there in the first place.
- Keep cool but not cold. Cold accounts for a high number of swimming accidents each year. Even a strong swimmer can suffer from cold and leave them unable to swim. If you start to feel cold get out of the water. On the same note; don’t ruin you holiday by getting sunburnt. Use sun tan lotion and get a lighter and healthier tan.
Despite what your grandparents may have told you about them swimming in the canal during their younger days, the canals are dangerous places. Not only is illegal to swim in the canal there is the added danger associated with the lock gates, and the fact that you have no idea what may be hidden in the water.
- Canal are a dumping ground for all types of rubbish, as well as collecting broken bottles, rusty tin cans, all sizes and shapes of metalwork, from pipes to shopping trolleys. Any of these may lead to an injury or being caught on your clothing while swimming.
- Canals are renowned as an environment for rats, who are carriers of Weills Disease. You may contract this disease through an open wound, unwittingly placing you finger in your mouth, rubbing your eyes, etc.
If you have been working or playing on the canal, or its banks, wash your hands, and until you have done so do not touch food, placing your hands in your mouth, rub your eyes, or touch an open wound. - Canals and locks have steep sides making them difficult to clim out of if there are no access/exit points.
ARE YOU AWARE OF DANGER
River banks tend to crumble and are slippery. Quite often if there is a good flow in the river the current can cut underneath the bank making it unstable.
Quarries and gravel pits can have deep cold water with hidden dangers in the form of old machinery and large boulders making these dangerous to swim and dive.
Weirs. Keep well away. There is a current which can sweep you into faster flowing water or towards other dangers.
Garden Ponds. If you have young children around the garden then cover the garden pond with mesh or netting. This will also keep birds away from the fish.
Paddling pools. Very young children and tots can drown in only a few inches of water. Never leave very young children alone near water. After use empty the pool so that accidents do not happen.
Ice covered water. There is a strong temptation to play on pond, river, or canal ice. Stay off ice. It may be thinner than you thought. If you fall through and go under the ice it is extremely difficult to break back through from the underside. If someone falls through ice and you need to rescue them call for help. Then try to reach them by lying on the ice to spread your weight. Have someone hold onto your legs so they can pull you back if the ice begins to crack. Try to reach the victim with a long stick or other item. The closer to the bank you are the thicker the ice is to support you.
Power boats – Stay clear of any engine driven boats, even when they are moored. The owner may not know you are in the water at the rear and start the engine and propellor. A spinning propellor can cause serious injury.
WHAT TO DO
Here are some tips on what to do in the event of something happening on the canal or areas of water.
If you come across an incident where someone is in the water and requires rescuing then remember :
- Reach – Reach out to them and pull them ashore. Use a branch, stick, rope, or other object for them to grab hold of if they are too far from the waters edge. When reaching lie down flat to prevent yourself from being pulled into the water.
- Row – If possible, row to them in a boat. Make sure you know what you are doing before taking a boat out. You may be putting yourself in danger also. If you do approach someone in a boat have them grab the rear of the boat, not the sides. grabbing the side or trying to enter a small boat from the side may cause the boat to capsize.
- Wade – Wade out to the person but use a sturdy stick or branch to test the water ahead of you and to help you keep balance. Do not go wading with wellingtons on or excessive clothing that can be caught by currents of drag you into the water.
- Throw – Throw something that floats to the victim to help them stay afloat until expert help arrives or you have prepared a safer means of rescue. This also gives you time to fetch help if necessary.
Learn how to provide the help. You can learn how to be lifesaver or first aider through recognised organisations such as the The Royal Life Saving Society UK, River House, High Street, Broom, Warwickshire, B50 4HN Tel: 01789 773994, or the St. Andrews Ambulance Service.
- Know how to phone 999 in the event of an emergency. Many people do not know the correct way to use the emergency phones.
See the section on “Phoning 999”.
WARNING SIGNS AND FLAGS
Flags indicate the extent of an area where patrol and lifeguards operate – and can be considered a safe place to swim. As swimming conditions change these flags may be moved’
NEVER, but never swim when the red flag is showing. The red flag indicates that conditions for swimming are dangerous, so do not enter the water, or get out of the water if you are already swimming. Because you are already in the water do not assume that it will remain safe until you decide its time to leave. Black and white quarter flags indicate an area zoned for surfers. It is not an area for swimmers.
PHONING 999
When phoning 999 to report an emergency:
- Dial 999 or 112 on a mobile phone. Some mobile phones now accept the use of 999 as well.
- Stay calm and state clearly to the operator which emergency service you require. Fire Brigade, Police, Ambulance, Air/Sea Rescue, Mines Rescue.
- State the location of the emergency. If you have to leave the scene of the incident to find a phone, take a good look around so that you can describe the location if you do not know the address. You may be asked on the best access to the incident by road.
- State if there is someone at the scene capable of taking action until expert help arrives.
- Give your name and address, and the telephone number from where you are calling. If you are using a mobile phone give the number clearly, and ask the operator to repeat it. They may need to contact you again before the emergency services arrive.
- DO NOT replace the receiver or cut the connection until the operator tells you. They may require information which you had not considered giving.
- If there are other people available have them stay near the access point to direct the emergency services to the right place. That way they will not waste time looking for the incident.
For more information visit the ROSPA website here “Water Safety”.
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