RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

October 6, 2006
CALL FOR BETTER SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY EDUCATION

Against a backdrop of at least 80 drownings in the summer heatwave, a national conference next week will look at how to find a balance between an individual’s right to take risks and society’s duty to protect them.

Delegates to the RoSPA National Water Safety Congress will consider whether a lack of understanding of water safety contributed to the tragedies and how the education system could be improved to prevent more deaths.

The conference to be held in Stratford-upon-Avon on October 9 and 10 (Mon/Tue) will be attended by representatives from across the leisure industry who have responsibility for water sites, including inland waters, swimming pools, beaches and marinas.

Peter Cornall, RoSPA’s Head of Leisure Safety, said: “To have an active life, we need to take responsibility for our own actions and be equipped with the skills and abilities to assess risk for ourselves. However, for many young people, our education system is failing by not giving them such knowledge and skills.

“A lack of understanding of water safety, including knowing where it is safe to swim and what to do in an emergency, and a low level of swimming ability have contributed to the drowning of several young people during the recent hot summer. Only three weeks ago, three young men from the West Midlands drowned in one tragic incident in the Lake District.

“Site operators must also play their part in ensuring visitors can enjoy themselves without taking unacceptable risks.”

The conference is designed for leisure, tourism and recreation managers, beach and lifeguard managers, environmental and health and safety professionals, water sports managers, architects and landscape engineers, outdoor education managers and water safety product manufacturers.

For the first time at a congress, delegates will be able to question and influence the work of the National Water Safety Forum. Numerous special clinics will also be held to allow them to attend presentations most relevant to their working environment.

For programme and booking details for the congress, which will be held at the Stratford Holiday Inn, Stratford-upon-Avon, see www.rospa.com/water