“Tell a friend. Save a friend” – drowning prevention and water safety campaign

Smiths & Sons Limited is joining other Mineral Product Association members to support a national campaign to help raise awareness of the potential hazards associated with open water swimming and, in particular, the issue of Cold Water Shock. Many people are unaware that even during a hot summer, inland water such as a quarry lake, can be extremely cold. The dramatic effect that cold water can have on the body’s involuntary reflexes - inhalation of water, hyperventilating, rapidly increased heart rate and tiring muscles – can easily result in drowning. 

The on-going campaign will help to raise awareness of this issue and other water related hazards, thus reducing preventable water fatalities. 

In 2013, there were 381 accidental water related fatalities in the UK, many of these involved inland water such as reservoirs, rivers, canals and lakes. Young adults aged 16-30 are the most likely to be involved. The latest death in April this year involved a 13 year old boy who drowned in a disused quarry whilst swimming with friends. 

The mineral products industry has been very successful in reducing accident and fatalities within the work place by sharing safety information. We would urge you to apply the same principle within your home and whilst enjoying your leisure activity. All too often following a drowning of a young person, the friends and family of the victim say that they thought he was engaged in harmless fun, neither he or his friends understood the risks they were exposing themselves to. 

By using the slogan ‘Tell a friend. Save a friend’ the aim is to encourage people to share information about cold water shock and to be more aware of the risks both in and around water. 

Please help by making sure your family and friends are aware of the potential hazards. Taking part in water related leisure activities is great fun. This campaign is not about stopping people enjoying this, but simply about raising awareness of potential risks. We have gathered together a range of resources that have been produced by organisations such as the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA), Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), MPA and others. Please select one or two that you find most helpful and share them with your friends and family. 

They can be accessed via our website. They range from very moving personal stories of parents whose children have drowned, scientific videos involving Olympic swimmers, teaching resources and websites run by national safety organisations.

Andrew Smith

 

What is Cold Water Shock? 

Even on a warm day, the temperature of the water in a reservoir, quarry or lake can remain very cold. When you jump into a body of water you experience a cold-shock response. This is what happens: 1) You gasp for air – meaning that you could breathe in water. 

2) You hyperventilate – this over-breathing can make you light-headed and, as your brain is deprived of oxygen, you may become disoriented. 

3) Your body’s Cold Shock Response, which speeds up the heart rate, may conflict with the Diving Response, which does the opposite, causing your heart to go into abnormal rhythms which can cause sudden death. 

4) Your muscles will become weaker – your muscle ability can drop by as much as 25% – so you may not be able to keep yourself afloat or pull yourself out. 

5) Your body will shiver, which will affect your coordination and your swimming ability. Even Olympic swimmers can be affected in the cold water, as shown in this YouTube video from Professor Michael Tipton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_96YEPAdA2Y 

The US National Centre for Cold Water Safety explains in detail the stages of Cold Water Shock at http://www.coldwatersafety.org/ColdShock.html and gives details of some of the ‘Golden Rules’ and ‘Myths and Misconceptions’ about cold water safety.

 

Currents and Depth 

Moving water, such as rivers, may look calm but may have strong currents below the surface. Even reservoirs can have currents, caused by working machinery. Whether you’re a strong swimmer or not, currents can carry you into danger – trapping you against underwater obstructions or in weeds; pulling you away from where you can get out of the water; or dragging you further than you’re able to swim back. 

Many reservoirs and quarries may be extremely deep with shelving sides so swimmers can suddenly be out of their depth. Existing former quarry lakes can be difficult due to high sides or crumbling faces. 

 

What Lies Beneath 

From out of the water, or above the water, you may not be able to see what’s under the water. That could be anything from large rocks to machinery; from shopping trolleys to dead branches; and even fish hooks or broken fishing line, all of which could injure or entangle you. Many serious injuries and fatalities are caused by individuals tomb-stoning into water and striking concealed objects. 

 

Calling for Assistance 

Many areas of open water such as former quarry lakes are in remote locations. If an accident does occur it may be very difficult to call assistance as there may be no mobile signal. You will also need to give clear guidance to the rescue services on how to locate you. It may be difficult for them to access the site with their vehicles. 

 

Pollution 

Open water can be polluted. Things that might make you unwell include: 

1) Some former mineral workings can have a high level of alkalinity causing severe skin irritation and burns – the water due to the alkalinity, is similar to bleach. 

2) Dead animals and other human waste may be present in enclosed lakes, such as old quarry workings. 

3) Rat urine can cause an illness called Weil’s disease. Weil’s disease can initially cause flu-like symptoms between 7 and 26 days after you swim and, if untreated, the secondary stage can cause death. 

4) Cryptosporidium – a parasite that gives you bad stomach cramps and diarrhoea (the runs!). 

5) Trachoma – an eye infection that can lead to blindness. 

6) Whipworm – worm eggs that hatch inside the body after being swallowed. 

7) Toxic algae – which can cause skin rashes and stomach upsets.

 

Useful links

Campaign Facebook page – Stay Safe Stay Out of Quarries - this has links to videos and news stories and will be updated throughout the campaign. This would be a good resource to “share” or “like” and spread the message with friends and family: 

https://www.facebook.com/StaySafeStayOutOfQuarries 

MPA Stay Safe video playlist on YouTube: 

 

Video shot at a Lafarge Tarmac’s Sevenoaks Quarry with MPA and Kent and Fire and Rescue Service talking about the risks associated with quarry lakes: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxE3_v36Dfc 

 

The Stay safe campaign video showing parents and friends of those who have died in quarries and a summary of key safety messages: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkRzpvPVdds 

 

Other videos 

Beckie Ramsay talking about her son’s death in a quarry lake and her campaign about the danger of swimming in open water: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnsv-z3Yxe4&feature=youtu.be 

 

Related Facebook page ‘Doing it for Dylan’: 

https://www.facebook.com/DoingItForDylan

 

United Utilities video of GP Sarah Jarvis explaining impact of cold water shock on the body: 

http://www.unitedutilities.com/reservoir-safety-doctor-sarah-jarvis.aspx

 

Royal Life Saving Society video on impact of cold water on teenage boy – aimed at secondary schools: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdFlDaEeOP4